Albania mourns legendary actress Margarita Xhepa

Tributes are being paid to Margarita Xhepa, a towering figure in Albanian theatre and film, who died on Thursday at the age of 91.

Homages began Friday at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet, where artists and public figures gathered to honour her legacy.

Xhepa was one of Albania’s most celebrated actresses, with a career spanning over seven decades, 150 theatre roles, and 32 film appearances. She was widely recognised as a leading figure of Albanian performing arts.

Born in 1934, she rose to national prominence through both classical and contemporary roles. Her performances in Shakespearean plays and works by world and Albanian playwrights cemented her reputation as a master of the stage.

She held the titles “People’s Artist” and “Honor of the Nation,” awarded in 2003. In 2007, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her performance in Chekhov’s The Swan Song.

Her film roles ranged from early works like Vitet e Para to iconic performances in Koncert në vitin 1936 and Tokë e përgjakur.

Margarita Xhepa leaves behind a profound impact on generations of Albanian actors and audiences.