National Ballet of Kosovo Announces 45th Anniversary Season

Under the directorship of Ahmet Brahamaj, The National Ballet of Kosovo celebrates its 45th Anniversary with the premiere of award-wining choreographer Pëllumb Agalliu's new ballet, The Legend of Love. The celebration takes place on the evenings of September 21st and 22nd, 2017 at the National Theater on Mother Teresa Blvd, Pristina, Kosovo.

Pëllumb Agalliu is recognized throughout Azerbaijan and abroad as a prized treasure for his choreographic mastery. He was the Resident Choreographer of the Academic Opera and Ballet Theater in Baku, Azerbaijan, an esteemed professor at the associated Choreographer Academy, and a passionate advocate for the arts. His latest premiere marks a major triumph for the company as well as the country. To give this momentous occasion the full weight that it deserves, Kosovo Ballet has gathered its entire roster of acclaimed choreographers from around the world - including Mehmet Balkan (Turkey), Sylvia Tomova (Bulgaria), Israel Rodriguez (Cuba), Michael Mao (New York), Antonio Fini (Italy and New York), and Darrel Toulon (Austria) - to join in applauding the company's continued success.

Founded as a flagship for innovative dance theatre, after many years of presenting groundbreaking work, Kosovo Ballet was forced to close for 10 years due to the violence and threat of ethnic cleansing from the Yugoslav Wars. In 2001, Ahmet Brahamaj trained new dancers and revived the company, which continues to flourish as a leader of hope in liberated Kosovo. Since its return, the company has compiled a varied repertoire from award-winning international choreographers, such as: Sergey Sergeev's Carmen, Konstantin Uralsky's More Than Two to Tango, Arian Ibërshimi's The Paganini Rhapsody and Ping Pong Spectrum, Arthur Kuggeleyn's Oh My God, Mehmet Balkan's and Larissa Barth's Relationships, Iliad Kerni's Love that Kills and Graduation Ball, Alexander Tressor's Dancing with the Moon, Michael Mao's VERDI REQUIEM, Iliad Kerni's Kopelia, Israel Rodriguez's My Freedom, and Antonio Fini's Where the Light Falls.

Kosovo Ballet was established in 1972. From the beginning, the company was renowned for its spirit of determination and perseverance which continues today. Its history is divided into two chapters known as the First Generation and the Second Generation. The First Generation refers to the founding members of Kosovo Ballet who performed with the company until it was forced to disband. The Second Generation consists of the current crop of dancers who trained under Ahmet Brahimaj to reform Kosovo Ballet following the Yugoslav Wars.

Dancers from the First Generation were educated at the Secondary School of Ballet in Skopje, under the direction of Tatjana Petkovska. Following their graduation, 25 members from this class returned to Pristina where they established The Kosovo Ballet as part of the National Theatre of Kosovo. At that time the company was directed by Abdurrahman Nokshiqi and included: Nexhmije Meha Selma, Sabrije Spahiu Shkreli, Enver Elshani, Jashar Berisha, Ahmet Brahimaj, Rustem Selca, Asma Mulla, Selajdin Kice, Gani Loshi, and Jonuz Beqiraj. The company attracted many guest artists from around the world such as: Vanda Ibra, Suzan Lejk and Xhoana Xhenkins of England; Joana Andziak, Lidija Tomashevska and Ana Stavnjak of Poland; Lilana Benudau of Romania; Vjollca Curri of Belgrade; and Marja Bertlan of The Philippines. During its early years, Kosova Ballet performed throughout former Yugoslavia, at the Ballet Biennale in Ljubljana, and the Summer Games in Dubrovnik.

In 2001, following the conclusion of the Yugoslav Wars, Ahmet Brahimaj set about rebuilding the company. Pursuing this endeavor, he established the High School of Ballet in collaboration with Prenk Jakova; the Secondary Musical School, and began recruiting potential dancers. Five years later, the first class of this school graduated under his directorship and became the Second Generation of Kosovo Ballet.

Learn more at http://www.baletikosoves.com.

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