Bashkim Braho
Bashkim Braho was born in Tirana, Albania on March 20th 1948. At a very young
age, his talent caught the eye of those surrounding him. His sister would play
the daire (similar to a tambourine) while Bashkim would dance in front of his
relatives, this way setting his first steps toward a very successful career.
He completed “Kosova” grade school and continued to dance as a member
of an amateur group. He later continued on to complete the lycée artistic
“Jordan Misja”.
Bashkim Braho started his career as a dancer in 1962 as a student in the school
affiliated with the Ensemble of Folk Dance and Song (EFDS), in Tirana. During
this time he was the student of the famous and well-known choreographer, Gëzim
Kaceli, who himself finished his dance studies in Moscow. In 1967, Bashkim Braho
became an employee of the Ensemble of Folk Dance and Song (a branch of Theater
of Opera and Ballet of Tirana), an honor that was only reserved for few people
at that time. Meanwhile in 1972, he became the first soloist of this ensemble.
By 1986 he finds himself as a professor of the School of Choreography.
In 1989 he establishes and directs the 'Krahu i Shqiponjes' (The Eagle’s Wing) folk ensemble which achieved great success in Albania and also abroad. This dance group conducted many performances displaying the ancient Albanian folklore, in Croatia, Turkey and Spain, where they were awarded the “Honor Medal” by Spain’s Art Council regarding their performance. Bashkim has professionally danced for twenty-six years with the Theater of Opera and Ballet of Tirana. His extensive and successful artistic career includes international tours in sixteen countries in Europe, Africa and Asia.
Moving to Boston, Massachusetts in 1995, not only did it not end his artistic career, on the contrary, it marked the establishment of the “Bashkimi” dance group, which under his leadership and administration continues to perform dances from various regions of Albania. Because of his leadership and the dancer’s dedication, the dance group is able to perform the best dances of Albanian folklore with dignity and at a high performance standard. The “Bashkimi” Dance group has performed in honor of former President Bill Clinton, on June 9th, 2003. It has also attended, always under the supervision of Bashkim Braho, the annual Balkan Festival in Natick, MA; the annual Albanian Festival in NY. Braho is one of the well-known names that has contributed to the Albanian art in America.
1962 – 1967 – Completes the dance school affiliated with the EFDS.
1967 – Employed in the Ensemble of Folk Dance and Song
1972 – Becomes the first soloist of EFDS
1989 – Established and directed “The Eagle’s Wing” Ensemble
1967 – 1993 – Dancer in the “Theater of Opera and Ballet”
in Tirana
1986 – 1995 – Professor in the school of Choreography
1996 – Present – Establishes and directs the “Bashkimi”
Dance group
Aside from the numerous performances, given by the “Ensemble
of Folk Dance and Son” throughout Albania, Bashkim Braho has also performed
in shows given abroad. A few of those are:
1970 – Dijon Festival, France. EFDS was awarded the “Gold medal”.
1971 – Dance tour in Kosova, where for the first time he dances as a first
soloist.
1974 – Dance tour in China and Korea.
1976 – Dance tour in Sweded and Norway.
1977 – Dance tour in Greece.
1978 – Dance tour in Greece.
1979 – Dance tour in Turkey.
1980 – Dance tour in France.
1981 – Dance tour in Greece.
1982 – Dance tour in Switzerland.
1983 – Dance tour in Germany.
1985 – Dance tour in Italy
1986 – Dance tour in Italy
1987 – Dance tour in Italy.
1988 – Dance tour in Italy.
1989 – Dance tour in Italy.
The list of concerts given by “The Eagle’s Wing”,
established and directed by Bashkim Braho:
1993 – International Festival of Croatia
1995 – International Festival of Turkey
1996 – International Festival of Spain, where the group is awarded the
“Honor Medal” by the Art Council of Spain.
The list of the performances of the “Bashkimi” Dance Group, directed by Bashkim Braho, in the United States of America:
| December 3, 2006 | - Albanian Night at UCONN. |
| Novmeber 18, 2006 | - Albanian Night at Boston University. |
| November 12, 2006 | - The 16th Albanian Festival in New York, where the dance group won "The Best Dancers" award. |
| November 05, 2006 | - Evening where the "Gratitude Award" issued
by the president of Albania Aleksander Moisiu
presented to the choreographer of the group "Bashkim Braho"
by the Albanian Ambassador in the USA, Aleksander Sallabanda. |
| November 04, 2006 | - 85th anniversary of the Albanian church "Saint Trinity", Boston MA. |
| August 28, 2006 | - Albanian Wedding in Long Island, NY. |
| June 03-04, 2006 | - Albanian Festival in Waterbury CT. |
| March 11, 2006 | - Balkan Festival, where "Bashkimi Dance" Group represented Albania. |
| December 03, 2005 | - Albanian Night at Boston University. |
| November 26, 2005 | - Albanian Flag Day Celebration, Marriott hotel, Boston MA |
| November 06, 2005 | - The 15th Albanian Festival in NY. Dance group was awarded with a top prize. |
| June 04, 2005 | - Bashkimi dance group organized concert: Bouquet of Songs and Dances
from |
| December 12, 2004 | - Albanian Night at Boston University |
| November 28, 2004 | - Albanian Flag Day Celebration, Hyatt hotel, Boston MA. |
| November 14, 2004 | - Albanian Festival, Bronx New York. |
| March 2004 | - Balkan Festival - an incredible night of song and dance from the balkan region |
| June 19, 2003 | - Seventh Annual Awards Dinner by NAAC - honoring president Bill Clinton
with Hands of Hope' award for his role in reversing etnic cleansing during Kosova war in 1999, NY. “Bashkimi” Dance Group was invited to honor him. |
| November 30, 2002 | - Albanian Flag Day Celebration, Westin Copley Place, Boston MA. |
| November 10, 2002 | - The Albanian Festival, Bronx New York. |
| October 2002 | - Event organized by the AAWO "Motrat Qiriazi", NY. |
| March 30, 2002 | - Balkan Express, Organized by Rocca, Chelsea MA. |
| November 11, 2001 | - The Albanian Festival, Bronx New York. |
| June 18, 2001 | - Neighborhood Superstar Award, Boston MA. |
| November 2000 | - Albanian Flag Day Celebration, Cambridge MA. |
| June 3, 2000 | - Albanian Concert with Justina Aliaj, organized by the dance group, Boston MA. |
| October, 1999 | - International Festival, Bayside Expo Center, Boston MA. |
| September, 1999 | - Reception for Italian Representatives, Anthony's Pier Four, Boston MA. |
| February, 1999 | - Reception for the prime Minister of Albania, Anthony's Pier Four, Boston MA. |
| November, 1998 | - Albanian Flag Day Celebration, Albanian Church, Worcester MA |
| September, 1998 | - An Evening of Albanian Music and Dance, Wonderland Ballroom, MA. |
| November, 1997 | - Albanian Flag Day, Anthony's Pier Four Restaurant, Boston MA. |
| October, 1997 | - International Festival, Bayside Expo Center, Boston MA. |
| August, 1997 | - Albanian Fund Raiser, Worcester Community Association, Worcester, MA |
| July, 1997 | - Summer Concert Series, Worcester Town Square, Worcester MA. |
| June, 1997 | - Albanian Fund Raiser, Worcester Community Association, Worcester MA.- 53rd Annual New England Folk Festival, Natick High School, Natick MA. |
| March, 1997 | - An Evening of International Dance, Plum Island Association Hall, Newbury MA. |
| February, 1997 | - Balkan Music Night, Sponsored by Folk Arts Center England, Concord. |
| November, 1996 | - Albanian Flag Day, Anthony's Pier Four Restaurant, Boston MA. |
| October, 1996 | - International Festival, Bayside Expo Center, Boston MA |
Bashkim Braho has been awarded various medals, prizes and certificates.
A few of those are:
- Gratitude Medal"- awarded December 12th 2005 From President Of Albania
Alfred Moisiu.
- 2001 Neighborhood Superstar Award by the Mass Governors Committee.
- Award in Turkey “Turgutreis’i Anma Gunu Anisina” 1995
- “Naim Frasheri” Award.
- Award received in the Albanian Folk Festival 1988
- Award in turkey “Sevelim Sevilelim” May 10th, 1978
- Award received in the Albanian Folk Festival 1978