Parashqevi Simaku

Parashqevi Simaku (born 1 September 1966) is an Albanian singer who rose to prominence in the 1980s and became one of the most recognizable voices in Albanian popular music during the late communist period. She is best known for her performances at Festivali i Këngës, winning first prize in 1985 and 1988.

Career In 1985, at the 24th annual edition of the national song festival, she won first prize with "Në moshën e rinisë" ("In the Age of Youth"). She would repeat her success in 1988 with the song "E duam lumturinë" ("We Want Happiness"), composed by Pirro Çako. These performances brought her national recognition.

Students incident An incident, which included symbolic gestures such as burning papers and waving flashing lights from balconies, was documented by the state security apparatus Sigurimi in an internal report later declassified in May 2020. While authorities described the event as disorderly and naïve, it has since been interpreted by observers as reflecting the cultural influence of artists during the final years of the regime.

Move to the United States In 2006, she signed a recording contract with Sony Music and BMG for the release of her Albanian-language album "Echoes from Iliria" (Jehonë nga Iliria), which she co-produced with Nolfe. The album combined traditional Albanian musical elements with contemporary production techniques.

Personal life In subsequent years, Simaku largely withdrew from public life. In December 2024, she was reported to be experiencing homelessness in New York City after being identified in a news segment by WABC 7 News.

Discography Albums

Folk songs Year Song— "Kënga e Qamiles"— "Këndon kumrija"— "Fustanin që ta solla mbrëmë"— "Ky marak, maraku i shkretë"— "Doli goca në penxhere"— "Kur del goca në pazar"— "Po më rreh zemra"— "Çelin manushaqet"— "Këndo qyqe se po vjen behari"— "Këndon gjeli pika pika"— "Si lule zambaku"— "2 Këngë Popullore të Shqipërisë së Mesme"— "Potpuri Këngësh Popullore"— "Këngë Arbëreshe"

Light songs Year Song 1981 "Ç'lumturi na dha kjo jetë"1982 "Kur të prisja ty" "Gëzuar shokë" (feat. Lindita Theodhori)1983 "Gëzimi i shtepisë së re" "Gëzuar Vitin e Ri" 1984 "Ngrohtësi" (feat. Tonin Tërshana) 1985 "Në moshën e rinisë"1986 "Një mëngjes" "Kur lulëzon bliri" "Flamujt e aksioneve" "Çdo gjë bashkë të dy e ndajmë"1987 "Bashkëmoshatarëve" "Në sytë e tu" "Koha nuk na pret"1988 "Më the të dua" "E duam lumturinë" "Gusht e prush"1989 "Jetoj" "Nuk jam vetëm"1990 "Sonetë për vete" "Lejla" "Dëgjoma këngën"— "Mes nesh është dashuria"— "Shoqja ime"— "Sytë e një vogëlushi"— "Buzë detit jemi rritur"

Festivali i Këngës Year Song Result 1981 "Ç'lumturi na dha kjo jetë"—1982 "Kur të prisja ty"— "Gëzuar shokë" (feat. Lindita Theodhori)2nd 1983 "Gëzuar Vitin e Ri"— 1984 "Ngrohtësi" (feat. Tonin Tërshana)— 1985 "Në moshën e rinisë"1st 1986 "Një mëngjes"3rd 1987 "Koha nuk na pret"— 1988 "E duam lumturinë"1st 1989 "Jetoj"3rd

Koncerti i Pranverës Year Song1986 "Kur lulëzon bliri" "Flamujt e aksioneve"1987 "Bashkëmoshatarëve" "Në sytë e tu" 1988 "Më the të dua" 1989 "Nuk jam vetëm" 1990 "Dëgjoma këngën"