Theatre as System or System as Theatre: The History of Gjirokastra's Stage between Art and Politics

In the historical context of a totalitarian regime and its pervasive indoctrination across society, art became a strategic instrument of propaganda, used to reinforce ideological narratives and shape collective consciousness. Within this framework, theatre operated as a “system within the system,” reflecting both the artistic aspirations of its creators and the political imperatives of the state. This study offers a novel examination of how post-World War II Albanian theatre particularly in the city of “Gjirokastra” functioned as both a cultural and ideological institution. By focusing on the intersection between artistic production and political manipulation, the research introduces an original interpretive framework for understanding theatre not merely as a passive reflection of ideology, but as an active site of negotiation between artistic autonomy and state control. Through archival research and critical analysis, the study reveals how theatrical institutions were instrumentalized to construct the regime’s “truths,” dictating themes, authorship, and interpretations to glorify the political system while concealing social realities. Yet, despite these constraints, the professionalism and creative resilience of Albanian artists often preserved traces of authentic artistic expression, subtly resisting ideological domination. This dual dynamic of control and resistance constitutes the core innovation of this research, offering a new perspective on how totalitarian systems aestheticize power through art while inadvertently enabling spaces for artistic agency.