THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALBANIAN DRAMA IN KOSOVO: A STUDY OF PHILOSOPHICAL AND AESTHETIC ELEMENTS IN THE WORKS OF MEHMET KRAJA, EKREM KRYEZIU AND HAQIF MULLIQI

This paper explores the challenges surrounding drama in Kosovo, with a particular focus on the complexities of language in both writing and stage performance. Drama is often perceived solely as a literary text, representing personal and national experiences, which tends to be overlooked in the staging or animation process. This neglect is compounded by the prejudiced tendencies of some directors, who underestimate the level and quality of local playwrights. However, our research contradicts this notion, revealing a rich theatrical tradition. Playwrights, within their creative limits, bring to life the physical embodiment of human experiences, with actors striving to portray both real and imaginary roles envisioned by the dramatist. These roles reflect the playwright’s own reality, manifesting across all characters. This paper specifically analyzes the works of Mehmet Kraja, Haqif Mulliqi, and Ekrem Kryeziu, two of the most esteemed playwrights in Kosovo and beyond. The dramas examined here have also been brought to life on stage. The focus is particularly on the language employed – both written and spoken – within these texts. The research questions the suitability of the written language compared to the colloquial language used in everyday life. It is important to recognize the significant divide between spoken and theatrical language; where standard language is used in writing, regional dialects dominate in spoken forms.