Merita Halili
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Merita Halili | |
|---|---|
| Born | 14 July 1966 Tirana, Albania |
| Genres | Folk |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1983–present |
Merita Halili (born 14 July 1966) is an Albanian folk singer. She is one of the most important performers of Albanian folk music, especially that of central Albania. Due to her voice, she is often called "The Nightingale of Central Albania" (Albanian: Bilbili i Shqipërisë së Mesme).[1]
Halili made her national debut at the age of 17 at the Gjirokastër National Folk Festival in 1983. Shortly afterward, she began appearing on Albanian radio and television. As a result, she became one of the country's most popular singers, partly due to her membership as a soloist in the "State Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances."[2][3]
Halili was among the first Albanian performers to make her own recordings. Her greatest recognition came in 1995 at a gala festival in Tirana, where 90 Albanian singers performed and she won the main prize.[2][3]
