Albanian art in mourning! The distinguished director Dhimitër Anagnosti has passed away

The distinguished Albanian director Dhimitër Anagnosti passes away at the age of 89.

One of the greatest figures of Albanian cinematography, Dhimitër Anagnosti, has passed away at the age of 89.

The sad news was made public by his daughter, Juna Anagnosti, through a post on social media.

“Farewell Dhimitër Anagnosti, the director of our lives! After a long illness you yielded to the law of life! Farewell, dear father!” she wrote.

Dhimitër Anagnosti was born on January 23, 1936, in Vuno, Vlora, and from an early age dedicated himself to art, studying at the VGIK Institute of Cinematography in Moscow. His first film, *“Man Never Dies”*, was awarded the First Prize at the World Festival of Film Schools in the Netherlands in 1961, paving the way for a brilliant career.

He directed a number of films that remain unforgettable in the memory of the Albanian public, such as “Debatik”, “Our Land”, “The Commissar of Light”, “Silent Duel”, and many others. During his 40-year career, Anagnosti directed over 14 feature films and 10 documentaries, being not only a director but also a screenwriter.

Anagnosti was a man of free thought, persistent in defending his views, with civic courage that often made him a target of mediocrity.

For his rare artistic qualities and his dignified works, he was honored with the title “People’s Artist” in 1987, as well as with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th Albanian Film Festival. In 1991, he became involved in the democratic movement for pluralism in Albania, for which he was elected a Member of Parliament for the Democratic Party (1991–1996). On April 12, 1992, he was appointed Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, a position he held until December 4, 1994, when he resigned.

Anagnosti was the founder and chairman of the “Fan Noli” Foundation for Art and Culture, supporting the most active intellectuals and working to strengthen Albanian culture at home and abroad.

In 2001, he wrote and staged his only play, “The Night of Knocks on the Glass”, at the National Theatre. In 2005, he achieved success with his last film, “Gjoleka, the Son of Abaz”, which won two international awards in Italy.

Anagnosti was married to the well-known Albanian stage and screen actress, Merited Artist Roza Anagnosti.

“KORÇA BOOM”