Women’s contributions to music education and artistic life in Albania (1900-1950)

Year 2024, Volume: 12 Issue: 4, 445 - 462

Eliona Lici

https://doi.org/10.12975/rastmd.20241244

Abstract

Women music educators in Albania are the most important part of development of music education at different levels of education. The purpose of this study is to shed light on women music educators from 1900-1950, which have been active in public and private schools, churches, and community organizations. This study is the first that analysed the women’s contributions to music education in Albanian in the year 1900-1950 in the different public and private schools. The aim is to highlight the fundamental contribution of women music educators in a new generation of education and artistic life. It is also important to study this research because it provides historical insights about educational institutions that became cultural hallmarks over time. The article assumes the illustration of women music educators in Albania, the contribution for the development of instrumental-vocal pedagogy-music education and cultural life during the early 20th century, overcoming significant obstacles to pave the way for future generations and leaving a lasting legacy in the field. This research deals with the historical lack of interest of women in Albanian music education and artistic life between 1900-1950. Although women in the performing arts and in educational roles played an important part in this period. The path opened by these artists up for all girls and women to follow the path of teaching and art in Albania in a difficult historical, economic, social and cultural period. The research employs a qualitative (descriptive) methodology that encompasses the use of archival document analysis along with previous scholarship to develop a broad knowledge of the role of women in Albanian music education. The research is based on national programs and documents from the Central State Archive Primary sources are national programs, documents from Central State Archive, personal archive of artists especially of Jorgjia Truja. The results indicate that women educators played an essential role as pillars in the foundations of music education, but also of artistic life in Albania. People like Jorgjia Truja and Maria Kraja were very important in this: people who taught choral and instrumental work, and in a way invented vocal pedagogy. These women overcame significant societal and institutional barriers to create pathways for musical education and left a legacy that resonated long after their passings. Through this study, the contribution illuminate the struggles that brought them to the fore in the long struggle for full recognition of women educators in music. For future studies, it would be nice to go into further details about the contributions of women in Albanian music education and perform this study in other Balkan countries as well. Curricula should also reflect socio- cultural influences as perceived by women educators, fostering gender-sensitive pedagogical practices and mentorship schemes to inspire future generations of female musicians and educators.

Keywords

Women in music education, First artists music educators, “Femminine Institute”, “Institute Kyrias”, women in music education

Ethical Statement

This study does not require ethics committee approval.

Thanks

A special gratitude to the state Archive, National Library, who have gave me the right to use their archives, documentation and the interviewers who gave me the right to use their personal archives, books documentation and the photos.

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