On this day in 2015, New York’s theater community and fans of international folklore were treated to a unique cultural experience with the premiere of Doruntina. This theater piece, rooted in a classic Albanian legend, was a collaborative effort between New York’s “Blessed Unrest” Theatre and “Oda” Theatre from Prishtina, Kosova. Audiences had the chance to enjoy this production in April and May at both the Interarts Theatre and the Emelin Theatre in New York.

The story of Dortuntina and Constantin, also known as Constantin’s Besa or Besa e Konstantinit in Albanian, stands as a renowned saga within Albanian folklore, celebrated for its deep-seated themes and narrative. The legend’s prominence reached a global audience through its literary adaptation in Ismail Kadare’s Doruntine, penned by the esteemed Albanian writer and Nobel Prize contender. It beautifully encapsulates the Albanian ethos of ‘Besa,’ a concept where the sanctity of a promise or oath transcends the realms of life and death.

This adaptation by the National Theatre of Albania had seen domestic stages but marked its first venture abroad with this international production, combining the creative forces of “Oda” Theatre and “Blessed Unrest” Theatre. Such partnerships not only foster artistic exchanges but also spotlight Kosova’s artists internationally, drawing together audiences from various backgrounds to explore and appreciate the rich tapestry of folklore and cultural narratives.