Choreography: Robert Nuha
Dramaturgy: Zana Hoxha
“Totem and Taboo”, under choreography of Robert Nuha and dramaturgy of Zana Hoxha, is an experimental tandem of contemporary dance and minimal text that enables the audience to reflect on the issues raised that intertwine their lives and the Kosovar mentality.
“Totem and Taboo”, is a reflection of the Kosovar reality and its contradictions. It comes to the public in a special form of contemporary dance followed by powerful monologues and dialogues. “Totem and Taboo” brings to surface the patriarchy mentality, while showing to the people it’s negative impact it has to our life.
Through the interweaving of dance, acting, songs and vocals of the actors, and the humor, the sad and overwhelming stories elaborated, they recall that living is challenged in various forms, and that we are the ones who that can give colors to it.
Finding peace and tranquility after major storms associated with emotional and physical violence, and the traumas of the past intertwine with traditions like the Totem passed down through generations, intertwined with the Kanun and customs that often suppress and promote inequality and which are still carried as remnants of the past to the younger generations of Kosovar women and men.
Team
Actors/Actresses
Donikë Ahmeti is an actress, performer, producer and activist. She has acted in dozens of theater plays for more than a decade, collaborating with many local and foreign directors.
Donika is a resident actress at the Art and Community Center – Artpolis since 2021, and has performed in plays such as “Haunted Land” directed by Zana Hoxha, “Totem and Taboo” by Robert Nuha directed by Zana Hoxha, “Top Girls” directed by Shkurte Aliu, and “Hunters of Artemis” directed by Zana Hoxha etc. In addition to working as an actress, she is also a trainer in the “Theatre-Based Education” training.
Some of her other collaborations include the performance “Shkrepëtima” by Petrit Halilaj, “Pantallonat e Kangusë” by Melihate Qena, “Pergynti nga Kosova” directed by Agon Miftari, “Mother and the child” by Bekim Lumi, etc. Donika has also been part of several local films and series.
Edlir Gashi studied in Acting at the Faculty of Arts at Hasan Prishtina University. It has been and continues to be part of various shows for children, theater forum, dance theater and music shows, performances, films and various television series.
Some of the plays he has played are: Destur (National Theatre), Trojan Women (La Mama NYC), Beni (ODA), Barbara (Dodone), Çimka (Artpolis/ experimental theater Spahi Vogli Tirana).
He is also a dancer. Currently he is part of the Artistic Resident Troupe of Artpolis. He also works as a coach with youth and adults in theater-based education.
Zhaneta is a professional actress born and raised in Prishtina. Her love for art started in her early high school years where with a group of students and the support of the teachers, they made the play “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” which was selected in a festival in San Remo, Italy.
Besides graduating in acting, she also finished Prenk Jakova music school for canto and piano. She was part of various plays and music concerts.
Zhaneta functions with the following principles: active listener and constructive in discussions about different cases/topics; pragmatic and flexible; respectfully works in groups; responsible with tasks and time; creative, with humor and compassion; finds solutions for the obstacles with empathy and thorough attentiveness.
She recently joined the group of professional actors of Artpolis Centre, where she contributes to the organisations politics by being professionally and emotionally involved.
Qendresa Kajtazi completed her acting studies at the Academy of Arts at Hasan University of Prishtina. He has been part of various shows, including here (shows for children, Forum Theater, Dance Teater Musical show. She has worked with different local directors, choreographers, composers and international.
Some of the plays she played are: “Trojan Women” (La Mama in New York), “Carnivals of Korça” (National Theatre), “Dëshira Tours” (National Theatre), “Forgotten” (Theatre National), “Portreti” (National Theatre), “Barbara”(Dodona Theatre), “Totem and Taboo” (Artpolis), “Haunted Land”(Artpolis), “Question of Habits” (Artpolis), “Beni”(Teatri Oda), “I’m a man”(Center Multimedia), “Two dreaming mammals” (AAB Faruk Begolli Theater).
She is currently works as a resident actress at the Art and Community Center Artpolis, as well as Resident actress at the “Muharrem Qena” Theater in Mitrovica. From time to time, she also works as a coach for children and adults in different communities Theater-Based Education.
Blerta Gubetini was born in May 16th, 1997 in Vushtrri. She finished her studies for Acting in Universityof Prishtina, Faculty of Arts in July 2020. She was part of over 10 theater plays until today, and some films too.
She’s been part of Artpolis artistic resident troupe since march 2021.
Mikel Markaj has born in Gjakova, 27th of April 1995. In his eyes art was always a form of expressing himself, it started with singing to learning an instrument to finally study acting. During the way he learned different forms and ways of expressing and by working with the community he learned different reasons to use art.
Some of the plays he was part of are: Trojan Women – La Mama Theatre (Andrei Serban), Destur – Sweet Blasphemy-Rumi (Zana Hoxha), Inferno – Dante Alighieri (Kushtrim Mehmeti), “Much ado about nothing” – William Shakespeare (Zana Hoxha), “Totem and Taboo” by Robert Nuha (Zana Hoxha), “The Bug” – Shpëtim Selmani (Zana Hoxha), “Haunted Land” – Shqipe Malushi (Zana Hoxha).
He has also played in television series and films, such as: “Shengen Visa”, “Rrushe”, “Hero of the Desert” – Nadif Prices. Mikel also has won awards such as: “Much ado about nothing” – Best supporting actor, PITF Prishtina, “Hero of the Desert” – Golden Earth Film Award Best Actor Male (Leading) and Europa Film Festival Best.
