# Parashqevi Simaku

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Albanian singer (born 1966)

Parashqevi Simaku Born (1966-09-01) 1 September 1966 (age 59) Kavajë, People's Socialist Republic of Albania Occupation singer Years active 1982–present Spouse Robert Nolfe ​ ​ (m. 1996; div. 2007)​ Children 1 Musical career Genres Folk Light Instruments vocals Musical artist Signature

**Parashqevi Simaku** (born 1 September 1966) is an Albanian singer who rose to prominence in the 1980s and became one of the most recognizable voices in Albanian popular music during the late [communist period](/source/Fall_of_communism_in_Albania). She is best known for her performances at [Festivali i Këngës](/source/Festivali_i_K%C3%ABng%C3%ABs), winning first prize in 1985 and 1988.[1]

## Career

In 1985, at the 24th annual edition of the national song festival, she won first prize with "Në moshën e rinisë" ("In the Age of Youth"). She would repeat her success in 1988 with the song "E duam lumturinë" ("We Want Happiness"), composed by [Pirro Çako](/source/Pirro_%C3%87ako). These performances brought her national recognition.[2]

### Students incident

An incident, which included symbolic gestures such as burning papers and waving flashing lights from balconies, was documented by the state security apparatus [Sigurimi](/source/Sigurimi) in an internal report later declassified in May 2020. While authorities described the event as disorderly and naïve, it has since been interpreted by observers as reflecting the cultural influence of artists during the final years of the regime.[3]

### Move to the United States

In 2006, she signed a recording contract with [Sony Music](/source/Sony_Music) and [BMG](/source/Sony_BMG) for the release of her Albanian-language album "Echoes from Iliria" (Jehonë nga Iliria), which she co-produced with Nolfe. The album combined traditional Albanian musical elements with contemporary production techniques.[4]

## Personal life

In subsequent years, Simaku largely withdrew from public life. In December 2024, she was reported to be experiencing homelessness in [New York City](/source/New_York_City) after being identified in a news segment by [WABC 7 News](/source/WABC-TV).[5]

## Discography

### Albums

Echoes from Iliria (2006) No. Title Length 1. "Pak më shumë" 06:01 2. "Se-Sa" 04:26 3. "Haxhirea" 04:25 4. "Anës lumenjve" 06:10 5. "Jug*Veri" 04:32 6. "Ura Shijakut" 04:34 7. "Djelli" 03:39 8. "Pranvera do të vi" 04:01 9. "Kur jam me ty" 05:05 10. "Dashuria" 04:50 Total length: 46:23

### Folk songs

Year Song — "Kënga e Qamiles" — "Këndon kumrija" — "Fustanin që ta solla mbrëmë" — "Ky marak, maraku i shkretë" — "Doli goca në penxhere" — "Kur del goca në pazar" — "Po më rreh zemra" — "Çelin manushaqet" — "Këndo qyqe se po vjen behari" — "Këndon gjeli pika pika" — "Si lule zambaku" — "2 Këngë Popullore të Shqipërisë së Mesme" — "Potpuri Këngësh Popullore" — "Këngë Arbëreshe"

### Light songs

Year Song 1981 "Ç'lumturi na dha kjo jetë" 1982 "Kur të prisja ty" "Gëzuar shokë" (feat. Lindita Theodhori) 1983 "Gëzimi i shtepisë së re" "Gëzuar Vitin e Ri" 1984 "Ngrohtësi" (feat. Tonin Tërshana) 1985 "Në moshën e rinisë" 1986 "Një mëngjes" "Kur lulëzon bliri" "Flamujt e aksioneve" "Çdo gjë bashkë të dy e ndajmë" 1987 "Bashkëmoshatarëve" "Në sytë e tu" "Koha nuk na pret" 1988 "Më the të dua" "E duam lumturinë" "Gusht e prush" 1989 "Jetoj" "Nuk jam vetëm" 1990 "Sonetë për vete" "Lejla" "Dëgjoma këngën" — "Mes nesh është dashuria" — "Shoqja ime" — "Sytë e një vogëlushi" — "Buzë detit jemi rritur"

### Festivali i Këngës

Year Song Result 1981 "Ç'lumturi na dha kjo jetë" — 1982 "Kur të prisja ty" — "Gëzuar shokë" (feat. Lindita Theodhori) 2nd 1983 "Gëzuar Vitin e Ri" — 1984 "Ngrohtësi" (feat. Tonin Tërshana) — 1985 "Në moshën e rinisë" 1st 1986 "Një mëngjes" 3rd 1987 "Koha nuk na pret" — 1988 "E duam lumturinë" 1st 1989 "Jetoj" 3rd

### Koncerti i Pranverës

Year Song 1986 "Kur lulëzon bliri" "Flamujt e aksioneve" 1987 "Bashkëmoshatarëve" "Në sytë e tu" 1988 "Më the të dua" 1989 "Nuk jam vetëm" 1990 "Dëgjoma këngën"

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Parashqevi Simaku: Si u bë e famshme këngëtarja nga Kavaja"](https://observerkult.com/parashqevi-simaku-si-u-be-e-famshme-ne-te-gjithe-shqiperine-vajza-nga-kavaja). *ObserverKult*. Retrieved 13 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Albasoul"](http://muzika.albasoul.com/artist.php?id=75).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Zbulohet dosja e ish-Sigurimit për Parashqevi Simakun"](https://vip-magazine.al/letra-per-ramiz-aline-zbulohet-dosja-e-ish-sigurimit-per-parashqevi-simakun-episodi-tek-qyteti-i-studenteve-dhe-akuzat-ndaj-saj). *Vip Magazine*. Retrieved 29 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Dwek, Joel (27 October 2020). ["Echoes from Iliria"](https://www.200worldalbums.com/post/albania-echoes-from-iliria-simaku). *200worldalbums.com*. Retrieved 7 October 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Pineda, Nina. ["Charity recipient video goes viral and reconnects singer to her Albanian community"](https://abc7ny.com/post/charity-recipient-video-goes-viral-reconnects-singer-albanian-community/15698325). ABC7 NY. Retrieved 23 December 2024.

v t e Albanian music Genres Folk Iso-polyphony Opera Rock Serenade Tallava Urban Lyric Vajtim & Gjëmë Dances Çobani Gusharaveli Napoloni Osman Taka Pogonishte Rugova Shota Tropoja Festivals Eurovision junior Festivali i Këngës Gjirokastër Folklore Festival Kënga Magjike NGOM Fest Sunny Hill Festival Top Fest Alpha Show TV & Radio BBF Folk+ Super Sonic Tirana TV Club FM +2 Radio Top Albania Radio Musicians Foreign based Action Bronson Albert Stanaj Anna Oxa Ava Max Azet Bebe Rexha Claydee Dardan Dua Lipa Gjon's Tears Ermal Meta Eleni Foureira Enisa Florat Gashi Il Ghost Ilira Jimilian JMSN Loredana Njomza Patrick Nuo Regard Rita Ora Sin Boy SYTË Albanian based Albania Alban Skënderaj Aleksandër Gjoka Anxhela Peristeri Ardit Gjebrea Ardian Trebicka Arilena Ara Aurela Gaçe Besa Bleona Bojken Lako Dr. Flori Elgit Doda Elhaida Dani Eli Fara Elsa Lila Elvana Gjata Emra Brah Eneda Tarifa Eranda Libohova Ermonela Jaho Eugent Bushpepa Finem Fitnete Rexha Flori Mumajesi Françesk Radi Frederik Ndoci Gaqo Çako Ingrit Gjoni Inva Mula Irini Qirjako Irma Libohova Jonida Maliqi Jorgjia Filçe-Truja Julka Kastro Zizo Killua Lorè Luiz Ejlli Marie Kraja Merita Halili Muma Noizy Orinda Huta Parashqevi Simaku Pirro Çako Poni Rezarta Shkurta Ronela Hajati Rosela Gjylbegu Rovena Stefa Rozana Radi Samanta Karavella Semi Jaupaj Sinan Hoxha Skerdi Soni Malaj Stresi Sherif Merdani Tefta Tashko-Koço Tonin Tërshana Vaçe Zela Xhensila Myrtezaj Young Zerka Kosovo 2Ton Adelina Ismaili Argjentina Ramosaj Armend Rexhepagiqi Albërie Hadërgjonaj Ardian Bujupi Avni Mula Blero Buta Butrint Imeri Capital T Cricket Dafina Zeqiri Dhurata Dora Diona Fona Don Xhoni Dren Abazi Edona Llalloshi Elai Elinel Era Istrefi Fero Fifi Ganja Genta Ismajli Getoar Selimi Gili Ilir Shaqiri Kida Kidda Ledri Vula Leonora Jakupi Lyrical Son Majk Malda Susuri MC Kresha Melinda Ademi Mihrije Braha Mozzik Nexhmije Pagarusha Nora Istrefi Rina Rona Nishliu Sabri Fejzullahu Shkurte Fejza Shpat Deda Shyhrete Behluli Tayna Unikkatil Vedat Ademi Vesa Luma Ya Nina Yll Limani N.Macedonia Adrian Gaxha Elita 5 Bardhi Big Mama Fitnete Tuda Haxhi Dauti Kanita Leonora Poloska Lindon Berisha Selami Kolonja Shpat Kasapi Tuna Yon Idy Montenegro Adrian Lulgjuraj David Dreshaj Gjyste Vulaj Hana Cakuli Nikollë Nikprelaj Discographies Action Bronson Alban Skënderaj Ardian Bujupi Ava Max Azet Bebe Rexha Bleona Capital T Dafina Zeqiri Dardan Dua Lipa Elvana Gjata Era Istrefi Ermal Meta Flori Mumajesi production Ledri Vula Loredana Mozzik Noizy Rita Ora Music of Albania & Kosovo Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Parashqevi Simaku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parashqevi_Simaku) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parashqevi_Simaku?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.