The Albanian Original Drama Festival "Talia e Flakës 2026" continued in Gjilan with the fourth night of the program, where the drama "God Bless America" with text and direction by Fatos Berisha, presented out of competition, was screened.
Although the play had previously been reruns, the hall was packed, testifying to the great interest of the public in this stage production. The work tells the story of four friends who, after training from a business manager and instructions from the church, set off across the states of America to sell Bibles and religious materials. Their journey is accompanied by comic and dramatic situations, where successive failures, conditioned by religious beliefs, the attitudes of their spouses or social circumstances, build the dramatic climax of the play.
In the epilogue, a spontaneous act of solidarity during a personal journey reveals the irony of fate and conveys the message that human meaning often emerges beyond material interest and pragmatic calculations.
The team of actors, thanks to their professional experience, has maintained a continuous communication with the audience, raising the interpretative level of the play. In this stage production, Avni Shkodra, Kushtrim Qerimi, Gani Rrahmani, Ali Demi, Aurita Agushi, Alban Shahiqi, Artan Selimi, Bashkim Nexhipi, Safete Mustafa-Baftiu, Mejreme Berisha, Tringa Hasani and Florent Salihu performed.
This night also saw the presence of institutional officials, including the Chairperson of the Municipal Assembly of Gjilan, Krenare Latifi – Kqiku. Over the past few days, other institutional representatives have also visited the festival, among them the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Hajrullah Çeku, confirming institutional support for this cultural manifestation.
The closing night of "Talia e Flakës 2026" will be held on January 28, when the public will attend the play "Gërrdia" by the National Theater of Kosovo, written and directed by Astrit Kabashi. Bujar Ahmeti, Maylinda Kosumovic and Rebeka Qena will perform on stage, with scenography by Arben Shala, costume design by Yllka Brada and music by Memli Kelmendi.
The program of the "Flaka e janarit 2026" event continues on January 29 with "Yjet e Flakës", a children's song festival and a concert dedicated to the songs of Jusuf Gërvalla, while on January 30, "Festa Flaka", the Albanian song festival, will be held. Literary and enigmatic activities are scheduled for January 31, while the event concludes with the Gala Evening, where the winners in all artistic and creative categories will be announced. /Telegrafi/
