First Albanian ballet back at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet

TIRANA, Dec. 5 – Ten years after its last stage, the “Halili and Hajria,” the first Albanian ballet staged at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet back in 1963, returns this weekend in Tirana to commemorate its 50th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Opera House.
The ballet, considered one of the most successful Albanian pieces which has also toured around Europe, comes under a new choreography by Arian Sukniqi.
“We will preserve the work’s fundamental structure, but the stage design, the video-technical image and characters will make this work more spectacular,” says Sukniqi.
The ballet is based on a drama under the same title by Kole Jakova confessing the bravery of Albanian highland fighters against Ottoman invaders in the 18th century.
Prima Ballerina Enada Hoxha and Mario Thanasi will star in the lead roles in the Halili and Hajria ballet expected to make its premiere this weekend on December 6 and 7.