Ten years ago, the Albanian music icon, “Honor of the Nation”, Vaçe Zela, passed away. The singer, born in Lushnje on April 7, 1939, passed away in Basel, Switzerland on February 6, 2014.

She began her career at a young age and in 1962 became the first winner of the Albanian Song Festival. Her repertoire is very rich; she has performed dozens of popular songs, light songs, cantatas, ballads, etc. She also made a significant contribution to film music, where she interpreted many songs as part of movie soundtracks.

A 12-time winner of the festival, Vaçe Zela gained fame during the communist era and was awarded the title “Distinguished Artist” in 1973 and “People’s Artist” in 1977. Vaçe Zela permanently retired from the stage in 1992.

She is the only Albanian woman honored in life with the “Nation’s Honor” Order on December 24, 2002, by then-President Alfred Moisiu, with the motivation: “For rare values ​​as an Outstanding Artist, with extraordinary popularity, for masterful interpretation of light and folk music, for the rich heritage she created in the Albanian school of musical interpretation”.