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PARASHKEVI SIMAKU/ From meeting his "100 generations American" husband to Hollywood dreams. The beginnings of life in the USA of the Albanian music icon (Latest interview)

2024-12-14 10:27:16Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

PARASHKEVI SIMAKU/ From meeting his "100 generations American" husband

Loves, oblivion! Until today, I have learned, experimented 1997,"- these were the last words that Parashqevi Simaku said about Albania and then disappeared! Parashqevi Simaku (born September 1, 1966, in Kavaja) was one of the most well-known singers of her generation who became an emblem of Albanian charm and beauty. But her "secret" life away from America and her silence also added to the mystery around her, turning her into a myth of Albanian music. In Albania, she counted dozens of songs and numerous awards won, but she, like many others, decided to run away, towards a promised land, towards the American dream.

After the fall of communism, Parashqevi Simaku fled Albania in 1992. There was no news of her in Albania, on the contrary, when she returned it was discovered that she had left for America. But she chose the wrong time! To participate in the Song Festival and give a concert in Albania, she reappeared on stage in 1997. Albania was in civil war and weapons and murders were the absurd normality of the time. Disappointed, she left again. But this time not to return!

The last time she spoke was in an interview with journalist Rudina Xhunga.

"Even though there was a war in Albania, all the questions are about love. The interview was not published because the newspaper "Koha Jonë" was burned on March 2, 1997. It was published in full, only after it was reopened, on May 4, 1997. Since then, Parashqevei Simaku has never spoken again, no one knows what happened to him. Except that we know for sure that they still love him," the journalist writes after once again returning to the digital network, what was once written on paper.

And they really still love her! Yesterday and today, Albanian-speaking networks are going "crazy" by the similarity of a woman to the Albanian singer. Except that it is very different from what was thought of her life. In 2006, she signed a contract with Sony and BMG for her CD in Albanian titled "Echoes from Iliria", but it seems that at some point, her life took a 180-degree turn. From a star who only promised, she is now homeless, or at least that is what her family members confirm.

But what happened to the singer and why has she returned to the spotlight?

A video posted by journalist Blendi Fevizu was taken from the American television "Abc 7". The woman, who bears a resemblance to the singer, receives a "Blessing Bag (BackPack)" for the homeless from children. In the video, the woman who receives the bag and speaks introduces herself as "Simaku Nolfe", in fact this is the surname of her ex-husband, Robert Nolfe. So, in addition to the similarity, Albanians living in the US have also made the connection with her and her husband's names.

A few hours after the video was released, Fevziu said he had contacted Albanians living in the US, who had confirmed that she was the singer! According to him, from what they told him, Simaku ended up homeless and lives on the aid she receives from the state, but also from American charities. Fevziu also said that he has communicated with several businessmen from New York, who have offered to find her and offer her help. But there is a problem; as soon as she hears Albanian or someone speaks Albanian to her, she leaves!

Also, doctor Donalda Surducku, cousin of Parashqevi Simaku, revealed that they as family members had not had any contact with the singer. In fact, the last news they had heard about her was that she had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. Among other things, she also revealed her separation from her husband, who also took custody of their son.

"The latest information is that she has suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and as a result is not very clear. She has been separated from her husband for a long time, but since he gained custody of their son, she has been forced to continue living in America to stay close to her son. My mother's aunt (her mother) died completely alone last year and with tears in her eyes for her daughter. As I told you, we have lost contact for several years. We thank you for this initiative and perhaps it is still possible to find her and help her."

It seems that challenges and life have put an end to her, but that doesn't mean that no one cares about her. Albanians living abroad, more specifically in America, are committed to finding her. And just as they have done on other occasions, they will also help the one who once, in dark and isolated Albania, gave a ray of light through her art.

But even in Albania, her life has never been simple! At least that's what she let herself understand in her last interview. From rumors, to impossible love with a politician, were some of the challenges she went through in life, but unfortunately they were not the last. She has also gone through other, stronger ones! Other storms that she could not put an end to her greatest and most inexhaustible love; music.

ZĖRI has brought back her entire latest interview, so we invite you to reread it once again to understand who Simaku really was and what her impact was on our small reality.

*Tell us a date that stands out from the others?

Valentine's Day. On February 14, '96, my husband, Robert, proposed to me. That February evening, he invited me to Jones's Restaurant in Beverly Hills, where he gave me his family's ring. I later learned that Marilyn Monroe had gotten married at that same restaurant.

*How did you meet?

I didn't have any romantic love, because the only love that was born in me, developed in me and I believe will never die, is music, but I have never forgotten that family occupies an important place in my life. Our acquaintance came about because of our joint work. He was an instrumentalist, he played the guitar and sang in the band, where I sang accompanied by 6 musicians. While we were putting the finishing touches on the work to complete my album, he asked me one day if we could go out together.

*Your answer was immediately yes?

An Albanian woman doesn't say yes right away, even in America. I remember telling him: "Work with me, or fall in love with me," and he replied that he wouldn't like to separate them. He is very charming and, putting the rejections aside, I explained to him that he should first respect the tradition of my country, that is, ask for the girl's hand in marriage, to my parents, through a letter. He didn't like this very much at first, but as he wrote a long, long letter, he began to find it almost amusing that he was writing to two strangers, to whom he felt a spiritual obligation. My parents replied to me two weeks later and after I was introduced to his family, a new life began for both of us, a life together that seems to us to last forever. Over time, I realized that it is worth sharing your life with a wonderful man like Robert.

*Robert is wonderful, why is he handsome, or does he have other qualities and characteristics invisible to the eye of the stranger?

It's difficult to talk about your husband, but what seems most important to me is his sensitivity, the human warmth with which he surrounds you, the love he gives you.

*Have you ever called a man like him in your dreams?

I had written a list once, with 10 qualities that a future husband should have. Robert has 13.

*So in '92 when you left Albania you were almost convinced that no one here could be worthy of your list of 10 demands?

I left Albania heartbroken from a relationship with a man who seemed to be walking a completely opposite path from mine. When I realized that no matter how hard I tried, our paths would never have a common point, I sacrificed my pain, to leave for the unknown, but not with completely unclear ideas, because what has always guided me has been the ambition to walk the path of art.

*Now that you're well, what do you remember from when you were bad?

 I have tried to keep from that love story only the good, the beautiful, which I have made part of my life. I am grateful to that man for what he gave me and I have forgotten all the suffering and pain.

*What made your relationship impossible?

Lack of shared ideals.

*Your ideal was music. What about his?

Politics. I am completely dedicated to my ideal and I say I will never abandon it. I know nothing about it.

*The person you don't want to mention by name, is that a forgotten adventure?

The feeling for him was completely love.

So even when a heart is broken once, according to you, it heals again. Is there anything irreparable?

There are more important things in life than love...

*Like marriage for example?

Not exactly that. For me, the most important thing was to re-educate myself. If you intend to move forward, you must not forget the past, but you must never dare to look back. Otherwise, you will fall.

*You have overcome all possible difficulties and are now an elegant and calm lady, or despite the change of surname, have you remained Parashqevi Simaku?

So far I have learned, experimented, made mistakes, and suffered. Now I am starting real life.

*Tell me about a sentimental mistake you made, why does it significantly affect your work, especially when the work is art?

I'm soft-hearted and they must have taken advantage of me. That's it.

*No names?

Of course.

*So, in your opinion, the unusual rumors have created an unrealistic image for you?

Gossip about artists is one of the most unimaginable, but I try to take it as a compliment. Even such harassment had once become a part of my life, so much so that during my stay in America I felt that I missed it. 8-year school and high school in Kavajë. Then suddenly famous and then a drama student. A good hunt for rumors... I am the daughter of two parents who, like many others in Albania, have not had the opportunity to benefit from their work. Thus, I have had to fight for both my dreams and economic opportunities. I have especially tried to help my family as much as I can. My father and mother are the greatest love and spiritual support I have ever had. I dedicate my life and dreams to them. They were born artists and they cultivated and allowed me to have an artistic feeling, despite all the usual gossip and teasing that surrounded me, which no parent wants to hear about their daughter. I have never been an artist with them, but a humble child, a girl who washes, cleans the house, who doesn't go out when they don't want her to, who before she comes home from the show, she erases the trick that they can't stand, who asks for time, a little time for marriage, promising that one day she will undoubtedly make her parents happy, like any other girl, with the long-awaited marriage.

*Did your mother ask you to marry a good boy in Kavaja?

Of course not. She had even chosen me as a charming boy, from a good family, who, according to her, was ideal.

*Do you think you would continue singing now if you had married the guy from Kavaja? 

I think he would have started singing duets with me.

*Didn't your mother regret giving you the time you wanted?

My parents are happy with my choice, and one evening my mother even opened two suitcases containing the things she had bought with her years of saved salary for my dowry. I was happy and promised her that I would take them all to America. When she bought them, saving from her daily food, she must have dreamed of a husband like the one I have now for her daughter. So I am happy that I made her happy.

*Robert is Albanian-American?

100 generations of American.

*What did you tell your mother about Robert when you brought him to Albania?

I told him that we are both heroes, because since the day we met, we haven't been apart for a moment, and this not only doesn't tire us, but it connects us even more. We collaborate, talk, have fun, and we don't realize what we didn't do when we didn't know each other.

*Does the existence of a third child seem impossible to you?

The child is welcome, it is coming, but for both of us it would be good to still think about our professional future, before he knocks on our door in our shared life. Robert has a degree in economics, is an excellent instrumentalist, but has put his career on hold to dedicate himself to me, because he has a lot of faith in my talent and desire to move forward. We have just completed an album "Fluturoj brenda tempullit tim" where the songs are written and composed 80% by me and 20% by him.

*You only sang in Albania. Now how were you able to compose?

I haven't tried it before. In America I studied and worked, finally being able to compose, although not completely alone. I was especially inspired by the Albanian folk song that I sang for so long in Albania.

*And in America first?

Yes, I was invited to America by a family from Dibra who signed a work contract with me under their restaurant in New York. Only I did not sing those sad popular songs that left a bad taste, but I initially used my repertoire of folk and light music. I began to like the feelings that I conveyed to Albanians in America, the initial profit, but without forgetting that I had just entered and had to continue. I met Antoni Athanas, who is the hero of my dream. He had reached the heights of success and since America had given him this opportunity, why not give it to me. So I asked him for an honest opinion and he first advised me to take the first step, to learn the language. Then he introduced me to Stan Dragot, to whom I told him that I was not asking him to make me an artist, but as the old American saying goes: "Luck is meeting the right people at the right time." For me, he was the right man, I just had to decide. For a year I lived alone in New York, where I began an intensive language course, accompanied by the introduction to American music.

*How did you secure funding for the courses?

Working hard, of course, and wanting to achieve. In America, all you need to do is love and know how to ask for what you want. It's the only place, perhaps, where, whoever you are, there's no dream that won't come true.

*Apart from your marriage, has your romantic life in America been blank, empty?

It has been filled with different experiences, but not important ones. The only love that kept me going was getting closer to the dream that the closer you get to it, the further it moves away. I have a temperament, I know how to dance, seduce, dress, I get used to the new quickly, but I know how to show it all in moderation, and where it is needed. I belong to a conservative country like Albania, to a family where the mother stood in line for our food, so there is no way I don't know the feeling of moderation.

*How did you try Hollywood then?

A professor of mine, after I started singing English in American restaurants, advised me: "Simaku, try Hollywood. You have to look the competition in the eye to face it, and the competition of art is Hollywood." I met Mr. Dragoti again, who was amazed by my improved English and helped me by introducing me to people who were once pieces of a dream for me, which, thanks to the kindness of the people around me and my persistence, was becoming a reality.

*There are so many Americans singing. Why should an Albanian win the game on their soil?

Because they are all the same. I am different, my music, my singing, the folklore of my country, my soul, my ambition is different, it is Albanian. An originality is always and everywhere welcomed.

*Are you welcome in America?

I've been living there for 4 years. After so long, I was able to reach the threshold of the American dream of being someone. Now the door is open for me. The question is whether I will enter with the left foot or the right.

*And while you are on the verge of the dream, you suddenly put it aside to return to the past, to Albania.

Albania is the country to which I belong and everything I can achieve in life. It seemed to me recently that I was ready professionally to start giving concerts in Europe and as a starting point it would be my country. The situation temporarily does not seem appropriate to me, since things do not seem to be going well, but I think that difficulties in the life of a person and a nation are part of recovery. I was not able to give concerts here, but this does not mean that I will not return again. My husband, who is also my manager, is contacting several foreign companies that will enable us to perform in several European countries, and I think that the Albanian folk song, elaborated, moderated, sung by me, will not only be liked, but will also be applauded on the stages of Europe, which once knew this song from the unforgettable voice of Vaçe Zela, and they should continue to recognize it and distinguish it from the music of other peoples, because truly our song is different, it is beautiful, it is wonderful. It is the very destiny and the key to success for whoever tries to present it on foreign stages and claim applause, flowers and success. I have invested a lot in my future. I have spent everything I have earned on my professional and human education. Now I have all the opportunities not only to brilliantly present myself, but also my country, our extraordinary folklore.

*Do you believe what you say or, as you said on the festival stage, do you like the exhibition?

I didn't perform at the festival, but I was simply delighted when my husband approached me and kissed me while I sang for the first time with him, on a stage where I had always been alone. I believe that the wise person is not the one who tells fairy tales, but the one who makes the fairy tale itself a reality.

Reality was not so gentle with her as to pamper her with a life like in fairy tales, but it was for something; the love that her public has given her and will always continue to give her. The same public that is ready to help her today, and always, as long as she will be helped!/ VOICE

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