TIRANA, April 6 /ATA/ The National School of Choreography in Tirana, known as the Ballet School, was founded in 1957 by decision of the Council of Ministers, as part of efforts to develop the performing arts in Albania following the creation of the Theatre of Opera and Ballet.
From its inception, the school drew heavily on the Russian ballet tradition, adopting classical methods to train its students. Over the years, it has evolved into a leading centre of artistic education and a cradle of talent, producing some of Albania’s most distinguished ballet figures — several of whom have gone on to achieve acclaim beyond the country’s borders.
The professional rise of the institution was shaped by the contributions of leading figures such as Zoica Haxho, Ganimet Vendresha, Agron Aliaj, Xhemil Simixhiu and Petrit Vorpsi, among others.
From the archives of the Albanian Telegraphic Agency, two photographs have been highlighted from a fifth‑year class at the Ballet School, which at the time operated as a six‑year institution. Dating back to 1962, the images offer a glimpse into the school’s formative years. Beyond the standard subjects of a general secondary education, the curriculum encompassed world choreography, the discipline of Albanian dance, the study of folk traditions, and the history of Albanian ballet.
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