Katarina Josipi

Katë Dulaj (, ) (9 November 1923 – 29 April 1969), 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 (Prekpalaj) Dulaj, Mark, Lazer, Kati and Pal. Her family came from Tropoja and settled close to Prizreni, then in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes. 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 (Ferizaj). 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 (Gjilan), 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 (Prishtinë) 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 Kosovo 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 (in Preševo), and the "Kati's Ring" Prize, granted annually to a professional actress for the best role in Prishtina, and also .

Theatre

Year Title Role 1949 Personi i dyshimt Marica 1950 Martesa Fjollka 1950 Zhelanët Rutarica 1950 Zjarri dhe hiri Tanja 1951 Deputeti i popullit Pavka 1951 Zullumqari Zibija 1952 Për kafshatën e bukës Mata 1952 Hani në rrugën kryesore Marija Jegurovna 1952 Martesa Ana Martinova Zmejukiva 1952 E shoqja e Hasan Agës E shoqja e Hasan Agës 1952 Sikur të isha djalë Remzija 1952 Rruga në krim Magda Ovegu 1952 Hijet e rënda Duda 1952 Zona e Zamfirit Doka 1953 Tri botëna Ajsha plakë 1953 Zhorzh Dandeni Anzhelika 1953 Bota Stana 1953 Protekcioni Seventja 1953 Besa Vahidja 1953 Dy rreshterë Sofija 1954 Mbreti i Betanjës Hana 1954 Mirandolina Ortenzija 1954 Fjala është për banesë Marija 1954 Nuk martohen me pare Plaka 1955 Shërbëtori i dy zotnive Beatriqa 1955 Nita Ithja 1955 Zotni Fedor Marina 1955 Halit Gashi Safija 1956 Kryet e hudrës Dila 1956 Parajsa e humbur Hatmanja 1956 Njerëzit Simona 1956 Ciklonet Znj.Lekoan 1956 Kushëriri prej Amerikës Nada 1956 Oda e errët Bahrija 1957 Zonja Ministreshë Zhivka 1957 Dy metelikë Staka 1957 I sëmuri për mend Villna 1957 Ditari i Ana Frank Edita Frank 1958 Lugati Shaqja 1958 Borebardha dhe shtatë shkurtabiqat Mbretëresha 1958 Hakëmarrja Tima 1958 Hanka Naska 1958 Miu në xhep Bashkëshortja 1958 Vrraga Tijana 1959 Banesa e përbashkët Zonja Nata 1959 Bashkëudhëtarët Ajo 1959 Pjata e drunjët Klaraa 1960 Cubat Amalja Fon Edelrein 1960 Familja e pikëlluar Sarka 1960 Ushtari i mirë Shvejk Zonja Palivec 1960 Matura Dr.Vimer 1961 Konkursi Ranka Veloviq 1961 Kur është gruaja memece Frigoleta 1962 Zullumqari Magjupja 1962 Autobiografia Falxhore 1962 Peripetitë e kohës Filja 1962 Zonja me kamele Prudans 1963 Jehona 60 Mabel Backer 1963 Dje mbasdite Ollga Koren 1963 Profesori Mamllok Elen Mamlok 1965 Nuk martohen me pare Zejnepja 1965 Studentet e përjetshëm Zonja Mara 1966 Magjistarja Keti 1966 Ambrozio Shfarosë kohën Padrona 1966 Dredhitë e Smpatukut Merina 1966 Hanka Haska 1967 Kunora Shifra 1968 Fosilet Zëri i nënës 1969 Tri ditë të kiametit Shërbëtorja

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.