“He was the father of comedy, and singled out among all actors. I have no words to describe the void left from his departure,” — Margarita Xhepa, veteran actress.
TIRANA, March 7 – Few actors have had more of an impact on the Albanian public than Roland Trebicka, whose iconic role as Jovan Bregu in a comedy 26 years ago, was so powerful and funny, his quotes have entered the very fabric of Albanian language and idioms, defining an entire generation of Albanians.
Trebicka, who passed away on Wednesday, after a two-year battle with lung cancer, was one of Albania’s most popular stage actors and comedians. He was 66. His premature passing has shocked his colleagues and the public.
Trebicka started his career on films as a child and stayed active with his acting until his last days.
He leaves behind two generations of fans who grew up watching his comedies and movies, and his passing marked the first social media phenomenon of its kind in Albania with Facebook and Twitter exploding with comments from fans whose lives’ had been touched by Trebicka’s acting.
Only one month ago, he appeared in his final role as at Albanian drama dedicated to independence leader Ismail Qemali making his comeback after two years of treatment in Albania and abroad.
Directors, actors fans, and politicians, paid tribute to Trebicka on Thursday at the National Theatre before he was buried in Tirana.
“He was the father of comedy, and singled out among all actors. I have no words to describe the void left from his departure,” said veteran actress Margarita Xhepa.
Trebicka’s acting career took a turn in 1986, when he performed the lead role in a stage comedy called “Pallati 176”, which 26 years on, remains the public’s most favourite. The unrepeatable success with the stage comedy also made Trebicka known as Jovan Bregu after the lead character he performed.
Born in the southeastern city of Korca, Trebicka started his acting career in 1961 when he performed in the Debatik movie. In 1971 he was appointed an actor at the People’s theatre.
“Critics and colleagues have always pointed out his sense of humour on stage and outside it. He reached his peak success with the role of Jovan Bregu at the Pallati 176 comedy which broke all attendance records. Jovan Bregu, whose bon mots are part of the Albanian folklore and jargon is the most popular character in the Albanian theatre,” said the National Theatre in a statement.
Trebicka is also remembered for a series of other performances in stage and televised comedies. He had been honoured with the Great Master Order and awarded the Honorary Citizen title by the Municipality of Korca.
In his condolences message, Bujar Nishani, the President of the Republic, said “Trebicka’s short life is the verge of the beginning of immortality, which he has deserved and we are proud of his contribution to Albanian art and culture.”
Prime Minister Sali Berisha and opposition leader Edi Rama also hailed Trebicka’s immortality in art and the irreplaceable void left in the Albanian theatre.
