Art dhe Kulturë

The actress Irene Papas dies at the age of 96

The actress Irene Papas dies at the age of 96

The actress of Albanian origin, Irene Papas, has passed away at the age of 96. The news was given by the Ministry of Culture of Greece. In her long career, she was considered an essential symbol of beauty and a famous representative of Mediterranean culture abroad, performing strong female roles in theater and cinema. Papas has played in over 70 films in a 50-year career.

The actress Irene Papas dies at the age of 96

The actress Irene Papas dies at the age of 96

Who is Irene Papas?

Pappas, maiden name Irene Leleku, was born on September 3, 1926 in the village of Chiliomodi, outside Corinth, Greece. Her family moved to Athens when she was seven years old, where, as a teenager, she attended the Royal School of Dramatic Art in Athens.

The Albanian origin of the famous actress has often been disputed, especially by Greek biographers.

"I cannot leave this world, and not tell the truth, that I am Albanian! When I was born in 1926, my last name was Irene Leleku" - was the strong statement of the actress 6 years ago, which shocked the Greeks, who know her as an actress of Hellenic origin.

Prejardhjes së saj shqiptare i ka kushtuar vëmendje dhe studiuesi grek Aristidh Kollia në librin e tij “Arvanitasit dhe origjina e grekëve” botuar në Athinë më 1983.Vetë aktorja në një intervistë e pyetur se përse ishte kaq esmere është përgjigjur se “I ngjaj nënës sime. Nëna ime ishte ezmere si unë”.

Ajo filloi karrierën e saj të aktrimit në Greqi në teatër përpara se të kalonte në film në vitin 1951. Filmi i saj i parë ishte një pjesë e vogël në 1948 "Engjëjt e rënë" të Nikos Tsiforos, ndërsa portretizimi i roleve të titullit në "Antigone" të George Tzavellas (1961) dhe të Michael Cacoyannis Electra (1962) fitoi vlerësimin e saj kritik.

In 1961 Pappas starred in The Guns of Navarone and in 1964 in Cacoyannis' Zorba the Greek, which catapulted him to international stardom. One of her last film appearances was in Captain Corelli's Mandolin in 2001. Pappas was also fluent in Italian, taking theater roles and making many films in the country.

Her opposition to the military dictatorship of Greece (1967-1074) sent her, along with other artists, into exile in Italy and New York, returning when the junta fell. In 2018, it was announced that she had been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for five years.