FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The dancer Lili Cingu, "Honour of the Nation" dies!
Cingu passed away at the age of 70.
Liljana Cingu is a well-known dancer of the National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances. Honored by the Albanian president with the "Grand Master" order for his contribution to Albanian folk dance.
With the Folk Ensemble, Lili Cingu has started the activity since 1967. Over the years, with her folkloric creativity in various scenes, she has been called the "queen of folk dance". A long life with popular creativity, which for Lili Cingu has been full of beautiful and exciting moments in the Albanian scenes, as well as foreign ones.
Cingu has been honored with the high title "Great Master of Work", but her career counts dozens of awards, orders and medals, such as the "Republic" award, the "Naim Frashwri" Order, the "Golden Disc", "Artist Meritorious", Medals in Dijon, France, Medals in Italy, Turkey, etc., these assessments were made by personalities of Albanian and world art and culture.
Dijon's French began to loudly shout "Viva Albania" when the "Golden Necklace" of the Festival was placed on the chest of the young Albanian dancer. Although the trophy belonged to the entire Ensemble, quite spontaneously, or perhaps calculated from the first step, the chairman of the jury, calm and unaffected by the frenetic calls of the public, directed to the youngest of the group that had come out on stage with the red and black symbols, the 19-year-old dancer, Liljana Cingu. She recently spoke about her career.
- How the passion for dance was born. Your beginnings?
Like every child who has his own desires to realize a dream in a profession, I also wanted to go on stage and dance, although I also had a talent for sports as a gymnast or athlete. But the real passion was to go up on stage alone. Since I was little, I fulfilled this wish of mine on the track of the House of Officers, where I had dinner with my parents.
-Your original ambition was to be a Song and Dance Ensemble dancer, or would you like to be more of a classical theater ballerina?
Initially, I was active with the school, with the Pioneer Palace. But then I continued a 4-year school with the Dance Ensemble and at the age of 16, I won the right to start working as a dancer in the Ensemble. My desire was precisely in this field.
-How do you remember your first appearance on stage?
It was in 1967. I found it somewhat difficult to face the public. I asked myself: "Will I be at the right height in the dance next to Besim Zekthi?". I had a lot of emotions. But with hard work and dedication, I achieved my goal of being a professional on stage. I never said to myself: "I will work to be worthy and the best in dancing".
- The year 1970 coincides with receiving the "Golden Necklace" at the Dijon Festival in France. What do you remember from those days?
In 1970, the Song and Dance Ensemble toured the Dijon Festival in France. There were 44 countries in that world festival.
The Albanian group was about to fly. It was my beginnings and an unrepeatable joy for me when in the stadium with 20 thousand spectators the "Golden Necklace" is placed around my neck, a merit for us artists of the Ensemble. The emotions we had are indescribable. The dignified and impressive presentation with dances, songs, costumes, music made the French cheer "Viva Albanie". It was truly an indescribable emotion.
-Meanwhile, the Ensemble has also received other international awards. What were the next trophies?
The Ensemble has always been awarded trophies and prizes in every country, both domestically and abroad. And this was the merit of the group as well as the leaders of this Ensemble.
- The concerts in Kosovo were other impressive activities of the Ensemble. What was the atmosphere in the ˜70s when bilateral exchanges were allowed?
In 1971 we had an invitation for a tour throughout Kosovo. I felt many emotions, that I would touch the land of my father's birthplace.
The separation of borders in those years was incredible so that we could meet our land, our blood, the language of the people, with the common culture and art, but the power of art was realized, even with sacrifices.
It was very impressive when we spoke one language, that language of the common land with more culture and art, with many traditions alike. People whose faces lit up with joy accompanying us without batting an eye.
- When you went abroad, how much were you monitored by the State Security?
Our exits outside the borders have always been monitored with employees who accompanied us, perhaps so that we would not lose sight of the beauties of other countries.
But it happened that we danced on stage and they were lost in the beauty of the places we went to. So, the opposite happened. The artist tired and sweated to perform as well as possible on the stage of a foreign country, our companions were amazed, because they had nothing else to do.
- A name like Vaçe Zela also sang with the Ensemble. What memories do you share with him?
I can't help but remember the great singer Vaçe Zela, a big name for us Albanians, a talent that made the audience stand up with her voice. Yes, I would say that a man with a big heart, with an appreciated culture knew how to respect. I love Vača very much, respect for that artist.
- It was thought that artists led a better life than the rest of the people. In fact, how much were you valued materially and morally before the 90s?
As artists, before the ˜90s, we were less content than saying: "Don't look any further, you'll find the next place".
but only for sweat and not materially. In some ways they probably led a better life. Always the basic idea was that some of the artists and sportsmen went abroad and this gave them other opportunities.
- When did you leave as a soloist of the Ensemble?
Since in those years artists retired at the age of 45, I stayed for another two years and retired in 1997. After that I was on contract. For a while I was in Canada, invited by my former students.
An Albanian-Canadian association invited me to participate in the Flag Festival on November 28. I went there and was amazed when our flag flew in the middle of Toronto.
At that time I had activities with the students. There are many Albanians who live there and love folklore.
-You are active even today. What is your short-term plan?
Since I am always active, thanks to God who has given me the strength not to stop dancing on stage, with the kindness of the artists who appreciate my talent, such as the support of my partner Rexhep
Çelik as well as the artistic director Sulejman Balteza who activated me with the Ensemble in a concert. But apparently my activities will not end here.
The continuation will be with another recital, with my strength, with lovers and sympathizers of art, everything is realized and achieved. It takes hard work... since I "Grand Master" got it, I have to justify it until my legs give up.
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