Ibrahim Kodra, “Symbol of the City of Durres

On the second anniversary of his demise, outstanding Albanian Artist Ibrahim Kodra, a Master of Albanian and European painting, was awarded posthumously the title, “Symbol of the City of Durr쳮” Master Painter Kodra now rests in peace on the Hill of Ishmi, under the shadow of the ruins of the 500 year old castle, there where he started out on his long road and ascent towards the pinnacles of a distinguished career in the Arts. This spot, forty kilometers from the coastal city of Durres, is to become a small museum, thanks to an investment by the Durres Regional Council. On this occasion, a gallery was opened at the Palace of Culture dedicated to Ibrahim Kodra, with 126 works in paintings and sculptures by Italian artists, a gift for the city of Durres. Ibrahim Kodra passed away 88 years of age, on 7 February 2006 in Milan, Italy, the city where he had lived for 70 years. This Albanian artist, awarded the very high decoration of “Honour of the Nation,” visited his Homeland on very rare occasions. At the National Arts Gallery in Tirana, there are three works signed by their author and dated in years from 1938-1942. Many specialists in the field say Kodra had about six thousand works to his credit. He was known as “The Primitive One of the New Civilization.” The works of Kodra are housed and exhibited in the Museum of the Vatican, the Chamber of Deputies, at public galleries, museums and in private collections in Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, Japan, the UK, France, the USA, Russia, Australia, Brazil, Argentina, Greece, Albania, Yugoslavia, Kosovo, Iran etc. The well known French Poet Paul Eloire was a great admirer of his creativity of the time and he was the one who called him “Primitive One of the New Civilization.” Kodra took part in international biennales, alongside Picasso, Marc Chagall, Matisse, Fernand Leger, Amedeo Modigliani, and others. His name can be found in important Italian and other foreign Art publications.