Gjorgji Kolozov
Gjorgji Kolozov (Macedonian: Ѓорѓи Колозов; February 26, 1948 – October 13, 2003) was one of the best-known Macedonian actors. He became famous by playing one of the main roles in the television series Makedonski narodni prikazni (Macedonian Folk Tales), which aired in the late 1980s and 1990s.[1]
Gjorgji Kolozov | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 26, 1948 Bogdanci, Yugoslavia |
| Died | October 13, 2003 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia |
| Nationality | Macedonian |
| Education | Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Spouse(s) | Shenka Kolozova |
Kolozov is remembered as a white‑haired man with a white beard who almost resembled Santa Claus in appearance and facial description. He appeared in a variety of roles, but mostly in that of a king, a peasant or God. Having won the hearts of the widest audience and earned the title of the "king" among the Macedonian actors or "the last Macedonian king" (последниот македонски цар). His fame has not faded away and the number of his fans continues to grow.
Early life
Kolozov was born to a poor family in the small town of Bogdanci and started his career in the theater of Štip. He was a member of the first graduating class at the Academy of Drama Arts, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje in 1973.[2]
Career
After his graduation, Kolozov became permanently employed in the Macedonian National Theater.[3]
For decades, he appeared in leading roles in the popular television series Makedonski narodni prikazni, produced by Macedonian Radio-Television The 300 episodes of Makedonski narodni prikazni are based on the collections of oral literature stories published in the 19th century by Marko Cepenkov, Kuzman Sapkarev, Georgi Pulevski, and other significant authors of collections of the Macedonian oral literary heritage. The televised folk stories were aired for almost 15 years with unchanged ratings. Kolozov and his wife Shenka Kolozova appeared as actors, and assisted with story selection and screenplays.
Kolozov gained his high popularity, achieving the status of not only a celebrity, but also, a national icon symbolizing the Macedonian cultural identity, thanks to his style of acting perceived as incarnating the simplicity and naiveté of both the literary genre of the folk stories and the ordinary Macedonian man.[4]
Kolozov appeared in a number of Macedonian (ex-Yugoslav) films, such as
- Tetoviranje (1991)
- Istrel (1972)
- Makedonskiot del od Pekolot (1971)
as well as in a great number of television films produced by Macedonian Television (RTS as part of the ex-Yugoslav TV network). Kolozov also appeared in hundreds of theater plays in the Macedonian National Theater,[5] and in other theaters in Macedonia and Bulgaria. He established a small, private theater company, which produces independent plays around the country.
Personal life
Kolozov married actress and screenplay writer Shenka Kolozova in 1969. They had two daughters: Katerina (Katarina) (born October 20, 1969) and Kristina (born October 15, 1972). In a delation to UDBA, its agent claimed, Kolozov was a Bulgarophile,[6] a stigma in Communist Yugoslavia.
References
- Notes
- Makedonski narodni prikazni (Macedonian Folk Stories) Македонски народни приказни. Skopje. 1986–1992. MRT – Macedonian Radio Television.
- "Dead link".
- Mazov, Ivan (1982). Scenata i Covekot (The Stage and the Man). Skopje: Kultura, volumes I-VI
- Gigov-Gish, Sasho (February 2005). (Interview). Skopje: Sky TV. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - "Македонски народен театар". Retrieved 17 March 2013.
- Нинко Величковски от Куманово, Вардарска Македония - "Изјава за Ѓорѓи Колозов", "Црните страници на УДБА", Скопjе, 2016 година. Библиотека и Издателство "Струмски".
- Sources
- Mazov, Ivan (1982). Scenata tvrda pocva na stvarnosta. Skopje: Kultura.
- Mazov, Ivan (1982). Scenata i sovremenosta. Skopje: Kultura.
- Mazov, Ivan (1982). Od nasata vojna do site prostori. Skopje: Kultura.