Avni Mula (4 January 1928 inGjakova – 29 October 2020 inTirana)[1][2] was an Albanian singer and composer.[3] For his contribution to the arts, he received two of the highest awards from the Albanian government: thePeople's Artist of Albania decoration and theHonor of the Nation (Nderi i Kombit) decoration.
Mula's family moved fromGjakova,Kosova toShkodër, Albania, when he was young, and afterWorld War II, he moved toTirana, Albania. He studied at theTchaikovsky Conservatory and graduated in 1957 as a lyric singer.[3] While studying in Moscow, he married Nina Mula (23 November 1931–12 December 2011), a Russian woman fromIzhevsk.[4] He is the father ofsoprano Inva Mula.
Mula was part of the National Troupe of Songs and Dances (Ansambli i Kenges dhe Valleve) and the Troupe of the Army (Ansambli i Ushtrise). In addition, he won many prizes over his career as a composer and singer in theFestivali i Këngës (Albanian Festival of Song), which is held every year in Tirana.[3] Mula was abaritone.[5]
Mula composed many songs over the span of his career. Some of the most famous are:
"Nënë Moj Do Pres Gërshetin" (Mother, I'll cut Off My Braid), which won first prize in the 1976 Festival and was interpreted byVaçe Zela.
"Këngët e atdheut tim" (Songs of My Country)
"Valsi i Lumturisë" (The Waltz of Happiness).[6][7][8]
"Një Djep Në Barrikadë" (A Cradle on the Barricade), sung by Marina Grabovari.[9][10] The song won first prize in the 1982 Festival.
Mula also wrote an opera,Nënë Shqipëri (Mother Albania)[11] and two compositions for the filmsLume Drite (River of Light) andKarnavalet (Carnivals).[12]
In 1998, Mula, head of the jury of theFestivali i Këngës, declared Albërie Hadërgjonaj's song "Mirësia Dhe e Vërteta" the winner, making Hadërgjonaj the firstKosovar-Albanian singer to ever win the festival.
People's ArtistMusical career
