Renowned actor passes away

TIRANA, March 28 – Agim Qiriaqi, one of Albania’s most renowned actors passed away last Sunday at the age of 59 after a long battle with the Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in 1950, Qiriaqi started his career as an actor at the National Theatre after graduating at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirana in 1973. He also performed in many films before and after the 90s and worked as a film director at the national broadcaster TVSH.
The last tribute to the renowned actor of Albanian cinema and theatre was paid at the premises of the National Theatre. President Bamir Topi and Tirana Mayor Edi Rama also participated in the funeral ceremony expressing condolences to friends and family.
Director Gjergj Xhuvani who has worked with Qiriaqi on two of his latest movies “The Slogans and “Dear Enemy” described his departure as premature, saying that he had planned a third role for him.
Sunday evening’s stage of the “Electra” tragedy was dedicated to Qiriaqi following news of his death.
“The premature loss of Qiriaqi will be felt for a long time among all colleagues and all those who worked with Agim Qiriaqi not only as an actor, but also as a director,” said the director of the National Theatre, Kristaq Skrami.