Albanian actor and researcher Valter Gjoni has passed away at the age of 66.

“Our dear Valter could not defeat this untrustworthy flame”, wrote the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, on Twitter implying the cause of death to be COVID-19.  

Born on the fourth of October 1954, Gjoni studies at the Academy of Arts in Tirana.

By the end of the 70’s, he began working as an actor and director at the Army’s artistic troop, and later on joined the National Theatre and the Albanian public-service radio and television broadcasting company.

After coming to the spotlight of the theatre and cinematography stage with over 70 roles along other Albanian renowned actors, Gjoni also stood out for his work on various researches and publications.

He began research on cultural, historic and artistic subjects at the Tirana City Hall, which he continued working on even after his retirement.

He was known among his friends as the “Encyclopaedia of Tiraa” after his 35-years career at the Town Hall of Tirana where he published nearly 10 books with valuable information on its history.

Last year, he was awarded “The Symbol of City”, in addition to other prizes including “Naim Frashëri Order” and “Gratitude of the City of Tirana”.