Protest by Orthodox Church cancels drama

TIRANA, Jan. 22 – A protest by the Orthodox community in Korca has cancelled the premiere of a drama written by Namik Dokle, a playwright and MP, over blasphemy allegations. The “Shen Maria e Beratit” (St Mary of Berat) premiere received strong criticism by the Orthodox leaders in Korca who claimed the drama insulted their religious faith.
“This blasphemous drama toward the feelings of the Orthodox community and the institution of the Orthodox Church was shamefully staged at mediocre levels in front of Korca citizens under a script based on historic lies inspired by the communist Labour Party,” said the local Orthodox Church in a statement.
Reacting to the Church’s statements, opposition Socialist Party MP Namik Dokle, also the author of the drama, said he was surprised by the stance of the local authorities, saying the drama was a fiction written four years and had nothing to do with current events or interests.
Zamir Kita, the director of the Andon Zako Cajupi theatre in Korca said the drama, which had been applauded for five days, is not intended to fight the church.