Katarina Josipi


Katë Dulaj , known by her artistic name Katarina Josipi-Kati, was a Yugoslav actress of Albanian ethnicity. She performed on stage, and in radio plays, film, and television.

Early life

Katarina was born on 9 November 1923, one of four children of Gjin Dulaj and Gjyste Dulaj, Mark, Lazer, Kati and Pal. Her family came from Tropoja and settled close to Prizen, then in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Katarina Josipi began her education there, and continued it in Niš. Following the bombing of Niš during the Second World War in April 1941, Kati`s father and family and many other people escaped from Niš; the Dulajs settled in Uroševac. After completing her elementary education she attended three night-shift classes, training to become a tailor. Kati was arrested by Yugoslav authorities in 1947 and taken before a court together with her brother Lazer, as members of Albania National Democratic Organization and enemies of the people. 38 members of “Hamdi Berisha Group”, all of them from Uroševac and vicinity, were arrested and tried in Gnjilane, from 1–7 February 1947; Katarina Josipi was the only woman. Following several months of investigation and reprisals they were released for lack of proof. She died when she was 46 years old on 29 April 1969 in Pristina city.

Career

Katarina Josipi acted on stage for the first time at the Amateur Theater in Uroševac. In spring 1948 she joined the Provincial People`s Theater of Pristina, as the first actress. Kati acted in Pristina for 21 years; at the Professional Theater of Pristina she played with Nexhmije Pagarusha, Bekim Fehmiu, Muharrem Qena, Hyrie Hana, Istref Begolli, Xhevat Qena, Shani Pallaska, Malo Gami, Ragip Loxha, Kriste Berisha, Matej Serreqi, Shaban Gashi, Abdurrahman Shala, Melihate Ajeti, Leze Spaci Qena, Meribane Shala, Adelajde Sopi, Belxhyzare Domi, Qazim Dushku, Safete Rogova, Igballe Gjurkaj Qena, Melihate Qena, and so many others.
She was awarded numerous prizes and recognised by professional institutions of Kosova and elsewhere. The Original Play Competition of the National Theater of Pristina was named after her. The Prize for the most successful female role for comedy also carries her name, and the “Kati's Ring” Prize, granted annually to a professional actress for the best role in Prishtina, and also.

Theatre

YearTitleRole
1949Personi i dyshimtMarica
1950MartesaFjollka
1950ZhelanëtRutarica
1950Zjarri dhe hiriTanja
1951Deputeti i popullitPavka
1951ZullumqariZibija
1952Për kafshatën e bukësMata
1952Hani në rrugën kryesoreMarija Jegurovna
1952MartesaAna Martinova Zmejukiva
1952E shoqja e Hasan AgësE shoqja e Hasan Agës
1952Sikur të isha djalëRemzija
1952Rruga në krimMagda Ovegu
1952Hijet e rëndaDuda
1952Zona e ZamfiritDoka
1953Tri botënaAjsha plakë
1953Zhorzh DandeniAnzhelika
1953BotaStana
1953ProtekcioniSeventja
1953BesaVahidja
1953Dy rreshterëSofija
1954Mbreti i BetanjësHana
1954MirandolinaOrtenzija
1954Fjala është për banesëMarija
1954Nuk martohen me parePlaka
1955Shërbëtori i dy zotniveBeatriqa
1955NitaIthja
1955Zotni FedorMarina
1955Halit GashiSafija
1956Kryet e hudrësDila
1956Parajsa e humburHatmanja
1956NjerëzitSimona
1956CiklonetZnj.Lekoan
1956Kushëriri prej AmerikësNada
1956Oda e errëtBahrija
1957Zonja MinistreshëZhivka
1957Dy metelikëStaka
1957I sëmuri për mendVillna
1957Ditari i Ana FrankEdita Frank
1958LugatiShaqja
1958Borebardha dhe shtatë shkurtabiqatMbretëresha
1958HakëmarrjaTima
1958HankaNaska
1958Miu në xhepBashkëshortja
1958VrragaTijana
1959Banesa e përbashkëtZonja Nata
1959BashkëudhëtarëtAjo
1959Pjata e drunjëtKlaraa
1960CubatAmalja Fon Edelrein
1960Familja e pikëlluarSarka
1960Ushtari i mirë ShvejkZonja Palivec
1960MaturaDr.Vimer
1961KonkursiRanka Veloviq
1961Kur është gruaja memeceFrigoleta
1962ZullumqariMagjupja
1962AutobiografiaFalxhore
1962Peripetitë e kohësFilja
1962Zonja me kamelePrudans
1963Jehona 60Mabel Backer
1963Dje mbasditeOllga Koren
1963Profesori MamllokElen Mamlok
1965Nuk martohen me pareZejnepja
1965Studentet e përjetshëmZonja Mara
1966MagjistarjaKeti
1966Ambrozio Shfarosë kohënPadrona
1966Dredhitë e SmpatukutMerina
1966HankaHaska
1967KunoraShifra
1968FosiletZëri i nënës
1969Tri ditë të kiametitShërbëtorja

Personal life

She was married to Hil Pjetri, an immigrant who had come from Kavajë. She had two children, both of whom fell ill and died in infancy. Her husband was later deported by the Yugoslav authorities. Dulaj did not remarry, and would visit his wife and two children, both named after Kati's children.