Fatime Sokoli, the magic of the voice of the birds, the echo of a spirit of eternity in our folklore tradition

2023-08-13 09:31:00, Kulturë Albert Vataj

Fatime Sokoli, the magic of the voice of the birds, the echo of a spirit of

Memory today on the anniversary of the singer's death.

"Bilbili i Tropoja", Fatime Sokoli died on August 12, 1987 at a young age, perhaps just when she could still give in the field of creation, interpretation and virtuosity. It was separated from its living to leave in the ether of the mountains of Dragobi, the hum of Valbona, together with its fascinating sounds, and its resounding voice.

She had not reached her forties when an incurable disease stopped her from going further, climbing higher, fulfilling a dream, pushing beyond the goals of a mountaineer's destiny and fame.

She left quickly, but left behind her immortal songs, her inimitable voice, patriotic messages, messages about life and work, about man and love.

Fatime Sokoli, the magic of the voice of the birds, the echo of a spirit of

For today's generation more than a memory target, nothing else may interest them from this fac. But Fatime Sokoli was not only one of the most prominent singers of the north, she was and remained for generations a treasure of our rich folk tradition.

She was much more, she was the first woman who testified that in the highlands and everywhere else in Albania, where women were kept under the yoke, that she was not only there to give birth, raise and educate children; for housework and to submit to the power of the husband, she was for more, she was also to challenge the time and the stage, to put her creative talent and passion in the pantheon of folkloric values.

Fatime Sokoli was and remained an extraordinary voice, a performer and instrumentalist who will remain in the golden fund of our excellent folklore tradition and spiritual wealth protected in times of turmoil and stubborn insistence on freedom, dignity and existence.

Fatime Sokoli, the magic of the voice of the birds, the echo of a spirit of

Those who were rewarded and heard the magic of the mountain spirit in a heavenly voice, who recognized it, enjoyed its performance, and applauded it, will not have had difficulty in keeping it in memory.

She, Fatima Sokoli, had come to remain a name, a contribution, a value, a symbolism of the most inherent habits of our national spiritual wealth.

****

Fatima Sokoli was born in Dragobi, Tropoja, on June 18, 1948 in a family with patriotic and patriotic traditions. She was raised and educated with an embodiment of spirituality frozen in height attributes, to become an icon of ethnoculture. Her outstanding contribution has earned her the title of "Artist of Merit", an accolade well-deserved and achieved with a lot of hard work and effort.

Fatime Sokoli, the magic of the voice of the birds, the echo of a spirit of

After many years on the stages of concerts and festivals, on the lawns of the mountains and the white stones of Valbona, in the odes of Highland men and on the stages of several European countries, it has become a symbol of the Highlands of Gjakova, its song and spirit.

In the cave of Dragobija, her voice sounded for the brave people of Gjakova, There the singer of Dragobija deserved the first applause, which did not stop after that in Tirana, Gjirokastër, throughout Albania, in Kosovo and Macedonia, in many scenes of the Balkans and of Europe. She sang and won awards at festivals at home and abroad; she sang for Bac Bajram, Mic Sokol, Emin Durak, Haxhi Zeka and Tom Kola. Many of her songs are stored in the library of the Albanian Radio Television, but they have remained in the mouths of the people, perpetuating the memory of the singer over the centuries.

Fatime Sokoli, the magic of the voice of the birds, the echo of a spirit of

Fatime Sokoli has remained in people's memory as a living testimony of a woman's efforts and achievements, even where the power of customary laws had deprived her of being something else, more than a mother, a wife, an argate. She tried by daring, achieved by trying, challenged by fighting, believed in talent and was rewarded. And today we owe him a respectful bow for the work he left as a testament of values, passion and dedication.