THE NOSTALGY OF HJYNESHA NE FRON

Co-conceived with Bekim Sebastien Krivaqa - Theater piece with video, 1 hour, Round table sculpture

Co-conceived by William Fernandes Paoa and Bekim Sebastien Krivaqa, this one-hour theatrical performance intertwines elements of sculpture, sound, and narrative to explore themes of nostalgia, displacement, and cultural memory. At its center lies the Albanian figure of Hjynesha ne Fron, a statue imbued with myth and history, serving as both a symbol and a pretext for a broader discourse on the experiences of the «secondos»—the second-generation immigrants.

The performance unfolds in a dreamlike, lunar landscape, its geography purposefully ambiguous, echoing the universal feeling of disorientation. It critiques pseudo-archaeological claims, such as the controversial theory of pyramids in Albania, using this discourse as a narrative thread that links to pop culture references like The Sixth Sense—featuring an Albanian opera singer—and Stargate, known for its pseudo-archaeological themes.

A striking motif in the performance is the recurring figure of Michael Jackson, singing «I’m just a human,» juxtaposed with the poignant presence of an Albanian performer, who nostalgically recreates the statue while singing traditional Albanian songs. Together, these layers weave a complex tapestry of intertextuality, where notions of cultural heritage, personal identity, and collective memory intersect.

With its innovative use of multimedia and performative elements, Hjynesha ne Fron invites the audience to reflect on the fragmented and hybrid nature of identity in a globalized world.

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