Professor Vaskë Kolaci is a cultured man and a conversation with him is always very special. His contributions to the establishment and consolidation of the music school in Korça are very valuable.

The professor has worked for many years since its founding, ensuring that everything is quality-oriented.
Naturally, school has taken a place in our conversations.

As a former student of the "Tefta Tashko Koço" music school, I have personal feelings and memories for him. But that is not the reason why I dedicate this article to him. What I think is what I say below.

The creation of the music school for violin and piano dates back 70 years. Some of the teachers of this emblematic school of our city in the early years were honored names such as Professor Vaska, Oresti Miço, Ilkë Bimbli, Besa Malka, Lefkothe ​​Zeqo, Anesti Koçiu, Rikard Jorganxhi, Jolanda Ziçishti, Vasilika Terezi, Marjana Byzyka, Vasilika Cavali, Katina Kondi, Afërdita Petro, Jorgaq Nano, Viktor Çani, Zana Spahiu, Kostaq Vrame, Themistokli Dhrami, Zhaneta Stamulli, Andromaqi Koroveshi, Fatime Barmashi, Tatjana Gëdeshi, Lida Kotelli, Ilo Evro, Tasi Poda, Vangjel Borova, Josif Minga, Nadjezhda Jole, Kostika Tanto, Shpresa Karanxha, Artan Zhuri, Pandi Bello and many others in the future.

The history of this school began with just one piano and one violin, around the years '55-'56. Later, the school had its own symphony orchestra, which was created thanks to the initiative of Professor Vaska. In 1969, it participated in the national competition of district symphony orchestras, where it was awarded first prize.

The staff would later be increased by the students of this school who competed and won the right to study at the Academy of Arts in Tirana. Undoubtedly, among them I remember in particular my former piano teacher Anita Vezuli and other teachers such as Ilda Skëndi, Piro Tome, Ilir Zguri, Grigor Çani, Entela Kotelli, Paola Kondakçi and all those who have given and continue to give their contribution to this school.

They all have the appreciation of the citizens of Korça and especially their former students.
In this journey of the school, artists have been formed who have contributed to the growth of artistic and musical culture in particular, but also to the organization and expansion of the school's teaching activity. Thus, they have established and consolidated the programs of piano, violin, cello, double bass, canto, accordion, flute, clarinet, guitar, mandolin or folk instruments, without forgetting the figurative arts.
Doesn't this rich tradition, formed in a relatively short time, deserve priority attention to restore it to its former glory?!

Could this particular institution be included in a project, perhaps similar to the one that the Franco-Albanian Lyceum received?!
And after all this, if Korça has a music school with a standard confirmed at the national level, can it become a preferential school for young people (not only from Korça) who choose to follow the path of artistic training?!

Such a project also creates opportunities for further increasing the quality within the teaching staff, to better respond to the requirements of a new standard.
A school built on contemporary concepts and conditions creates spaces for cooperation and competition, at the national, regional and broader levels.
Society's need for artistic culture will continue forever. Despite some fluctuations in situations, Korça has consistently demonstrated this need and fulfilled it better than many others.

In addition, it has also been able to export, not without success, culture through individuals who have been or continue to be personalities in their field.
We all know the examples here. I would like to bring to your attention the former student of the music school, Edison Pashko, who has been part of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for years, representing in a way what we said above, namely the standard achieved by this school in the preparation of artists.
Therefore, the effort to re-dimension the “Tefta Tashko Koço” artistic high school, with a very serious project that adds value to our city, should unite us as a common interest. Otherwise, in this field too, we will continue to complain about the number of students, while also reducing the hope for new generations of artists and musicians.

I think this idea could involve the best experts in the field, interested citizens, and decision-making authorities in the discussion.
Because Korça deserves its art school to be of the highest level.
For more identity, vitality, culture and brilliance tomorrow.