Avni Mula
Avni Mula (Gjakova, 4 January 1928 – Tirana, 29 October 2020) was an Albanian singer, composer, and musician. For his contribution to the arts, he received two of the highest awards from the Albanian government: the People's Artist of Albania decoration and the Honor of the Nation () decoration. Personal life. Mula's family moved from Gjakova, Kosova to Shkodër, Albania, when he was young and after World War II he moved to Tirana, Albania. He studied at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory and graduated in 1957 as a lyric singer. He is the father of soprano Inva Mula. Career. Singing . Mula was part of the National Troupe of Songs and Dances () and the Troupe of the Army (). In addition, he won many prizes over his career as a composer and singer in the Festivali i Këngës (Albanian Festival of Song), which is held every year in Tirana. Mula was a baritone. Composition. Mula composed many songs over the span of his career. Some of the most famous are: Mula also wrote an opera, "Nënë Shqipëri" (Mother Albania) and two compositions for the films "Lume Drite" (River of Light) and "Karnavalet" (Carnivals). Festival jury. In 1998, Mula, head of the jury  of the Festivali i Këngës, declared Albërie Hadërgjonaj's song "Mirësia Dhe e Vërteta" the winner, making Hadërgjonaj the first Kosovar-Albanian singer to ever win the festival. Awards and recognition. Mula received two of the highest awards from the Albanian government: the People's Artist of Albania decoration and the Honor of the Nation () decoration.