Rajmonda Ahmetaj
nationality
KOSOVO
area
Acting
recidence
Deçan
institution
time period
March – April 2024
01
BIO
Rajmonda Ahmetaj (b. 1988, Kosovo) is an artist known for her contribution to the Kosovar theatre scene. She holds a master’s degree in acting from the University of Pristina and has appeared in various theatre plays and films, including prominent roles in productions such as Arlinda Morin’s Dëbora and Samuel Beckett’s Not I.
As co-founder of the arts organisation Stralli and literary translator, Ahmetaj builds bridges between cultures and perspectives through her creative work.
In 2018, she co-founded the art festival Under the Plow of Time, a platform for international collaboration and engagement with art and cultural communities in Kosovo.
02
Project
During her residency at MQ, Rajmonda Ahmetaj will work at the ImPulsTanz – Vienna International Dance Festival in order to further deepen her practical knowledge. She will incorporate the experience she gains into her future artistic work.
Ahmetaj plans to use her time in Vienna to research contemporary Austrian literature, dramatic art and dance.
Ahmetaj’s work post mortem Opheliae, a multidisciplinary project that will not centre on the character of Ophelia, but will also deal with the subject of love and death, is currently planned. The main aim is to develop strategies for involving other participants and integrating different art forms. Through the medium of poetry, post mortem Opheliae aims to incorporate verse as a commentary on Shakespeare’s play and create additional thematic connections. It is largely inspired by the works of the Austrian poet H. C. Artmann, particularly his play Überall wo Hamlet hinkam [Everywhere Hamlet Went]. Artmann’s poetic reflections on Hamlet provide conceptual and imaginative bridges to reexamine the world of the famous playwright from a unique and curious perspective. His poetic commentary offers the artist a new take on the character of Ophelia and enriches the understanding of her role within the narrative.
