The choir that does not remain silent before death: 60 years of song, memory and vocal heritage in Gjakova

The solemn silence of the Gjakova cemetery is broken by the manly voices of a choir singing farewell. Near the grave of one of its members, the Gjakova Men's Choir pays tribute to their friend with a song by conductor Rauf Dhomi, which sounds like a tribute, but also a call to remembrance.

This ensemble, which has accompanied with songs prominent names of national culture such as Anton Çetta, Çesk Zadeja, Vaçe Zela, Tish Daija or Prince Leka Zogu, as well as hundreds of martyrs of the KLA war, is marking the 60th anniversary of its founding this year.

But beyond symbolic appreciation and public gratitude on deathbeds, local and central authorities in Kosovo have not yet taken any concrete initiative to commemorate or institutionally support him.

Its founder, composer and academic Rauf Dhomi, who counts the first two operas created in Kosovo, avoids speaking at length about the lack of state attention.

“When I started working back in June 1965, I didn’t think this choir would last this long,” Dhomi, currently an academic in Pristina and Tirana, told BIRN. “It’s hard to describe the great role this ensemble played with its songs in the patriotic education of the youth and the entire people,” he added.

Gjakova, a city with 95 thousand inhabitants, lives intensely with music, especially with singing. There are many musical groups, and their creation dates back several decades. Qamili i vogel, Ismet Peja, Mazllum Mezini, Florent Nushi, Shkëlzen Jetishi, are some of the most well-known names in this field.

The choir was founded in the early 1960s, at a time when Albanian culture in Kosovo was asserting itself under difficult political and social conditions. It was born as an artistic response to the need to preserve and develop the Albanian vocal tradition, being a form of cultural resistance to assimilation. In the decades that followed, the choir became an inseparable part of public and ceremonial life in the city.

Over the decades, the choir has had up to 54 members and has participated in over 170 cultural and commemorative activities in various Albanian cities, from Durrës and Korça, to Ulcinj and Tirana. It has been praised by personalities such as President Ibrahim Rugova and renowned musicologists such as Rifat Teqja, Engjëll Berisha, Zhani Ciko and prof. dr. Zekeria Cana.

In a city with a long musical tradition like Gjakova, the choir represents one of the collective artistic peaks.

“We worked in different sectors and Rauf tested us before joining the ensemble,” Mazllum Morina recalled. “Most of us joined the Choir in the late 1960s, after contributing to the “Hajdar Dushi” Ensemble,” he added.

Although he is over 80 years old, Mazllumi has been singing with a small folk ensemble for some time, not forgetting his connection to song.

As they accompany the founding member of the Choir, Shefik Pallaska, to his final home, at the funeral lunch they silently recall a Korça song, part of the repertoire over the years.

"The chief was careful about the lyrics of songs in other Albanian regions and their originality," added Mazllumi.

The Men's Choir is distinguished by its wonderful vocal and professional qualities, so their concern for continuity is no small one.

Although he now lives in Pristina, conductor Rauf Dhomi has offered to revive the choral ensemble.

"The desire of the choristers and young people who want to join its ranks is great, but the response from the authorities is lacking," he said.

"Just as a complete history of the 60-year journey of the Men's Choir is still missing," the conductor added.

In December, Dhomi will celebrate his 80th birthday with friends and colleagues, and he has a gift in mind.

"It would have been much nicer if the 60th anniversary of the Gjakova Men's Choir had been celebrated earlier," he concludes. Reporter.al