Engjell Berisha, laureate of the International Price for Life Work ‘Niketa Dardani’

Today, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Memli Krasniqi, solemnly awarded the International Price for Life Work “Niketa Dardani” on the field of music, to famous Albanian composer and pedagogue, academic Engjell Berisha. On which occasion, the annual prices in the field of music were given, thus the composer Dafina Zeqiri was honoured for her work “Kujtoj – poema simfonike” (“I remember – a symphonic poem”) in the frame of the price “Symphonic Work – concert with a duration for at least 20 minutes” and composer Kreshnik Aliçkaj for his work “Sextet pianistik” (“Pianistic Sextet) in the frame of the chamber music price with a duration for at least 10 minutes.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Memli Krasniqi, estimated that these prices are an appraisal for the work of people who give a lot for our culture. He said that, in particular those in other categories are stimulation for new creators, too.

The Minister estimated the creation of academic Engjell Berisha, as well as the vast commitment of composers, Ms, Zeqiri and Mr. Aliçkaj.

“Academic, professor, pedagogue Engjell Berisha, is a remarkable personality not only of Kosovo but the whole Albanian nation, who for more than 50 years has contributed to the scenery and music in Kosovo through his creation, especially, his educative work, not only by adding to cadres, but also adding to more advanced values and standards compared to the past”, said Minister Krasniqi, appraising that this year composer Mr. Berisha fairly and deservedly is awarded the National Price for Life Work “Niketa Dardani”.

Whereas, laureate Engjell Berisha talked for Niketa Dardani, which is an old name of our Illyrian ancestors and that he felt honoured to be awarded the price in question and thanked MCYS for proposing the name of “Niketa Dardani” for the price of Life Work.

“Besides my work, creations which I wrote, it is a special pleasure when one sees his students to continue with creation in our environment, where there is no long tradition of artistic music. The great tradition is the folk tradition. The youth have talent to compose folk music” said Mr. Berisha, while he thanked MCYS for the support it gives to music and artists in general.

Other laureates, Dafina Zeqiri and Kreshnik Aliqkaj expressed themselves honoured for the price and said that they shall continue to work in enriching composition of artistic music.

Prices awarded in the field of music were evaluated by jury members, in composition of: Trimor Dhomi, Visar Kuqi and Misbah Kaqamaku.

“We are their students and we know that his contribution is incomparable”, said Mr. Dhomi.

National price for Life Work “Niketa Dardani”, has financial value of 5 thousand Euros, whereas, the price for the best chamber music work is 2 thousand Euros. The price for the best symphonic – concert work is 3 thousand Euros.