The Jordan Misja Artistic Lyceum included a concert by the Albanian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra in its anniversary activities, conducted by Gridi Kraja with soloist Jonela Golemi. The school turns 80 on 20 December 2026, marking the start of regular classes on 20 December 1946. The programme combined European repertoire and Albanian compositions, connecting concert performance with the history of arts education.
From opera overtures to music for strings
The concert opened with the overture to Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro”, followed by F. Deda’s “Meditation” and works by Beethoven. Jonela Golemi performed Vittorio Monti’s “Csárdás”, while Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings” closed the programme.
The selection brought together an opera overture, solo performance and string-orchestra repertoire, giving the anniversary concert a range of musical forms.
Eight decades of arts education
The institution’s history distinguishes its opening on 10 December 1946 from the start of regular teaching on 20 December, the date used to mark its anniversary. Established in Tirana, the school developed training in music, visual arts, drama and choreography. Composer Konstandin Trako was its first director.
Its teaching history includes Odhise Paskali, Janaq Paço, Abdurrahim Buza and Nexhmedin Zajmi in visual arts; Marie Kraja, Jorgjie Truja, Çesk Zadeja and Ramadan Sokoli in music; and Naim Frashëri and Kadri Roshi in drama. These teachers connect the school with central figures of twentieth-century Albanian culture.
Its former students include Vaçe Zela, Inva Mula, Ermonela Jaho, Saimir Pirgu and Tedi Papavrami, whose careers span Albanian stages and international performing institutions.
Visual art in the anniversary programme
The anniversary activities also include “Biblioteka e artit” (“The Art Library”), a series launched in September by the National Centre for Books and Reading with the Lyceum. Monthly meetings focus on monographs about artists who contributed to the institution’s history.
The first meeting explored Nexhmedin Zajmi, a teacher from the school’s early years. Researcher Oltsen Gripshi presented his work to students, extending the commemorative programme from musical performance to teaching traditions and visual art.
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