The three most popular artistic bands of that time were: musical society “Gajret“ (Durimi), musical society ”Kosova” and musical society “Agimi”, which was functional during the period 1924-1931. In its composition it had music sector, library and sports. The path of the precursors in cultivation of national folklore was continued also by: Ymer Riza, Hamëz Kaçi, Sami Dyla, Xajë Gola, Mazllom Mejzini, Ismet Peja, Hadi Bajrami, Esat Bicurri, Shkelzen Jetishi, Zenel Doli etc.
Amongst the musical bands of these times to be mentioned are: the Choir of Men ”M.S. “Hajdar Dushi” founded in 1960, that is still active today, M.S. ”Ymer Riza”, M.S. ”Shote Galica”, M.S. “Metaliku”, AVI ”Skofiarët” and many other musical bands.
But Gjakova is famous also for artists who have gained popularity in symphonies, and have become known not only in Gjakova and Kosovo, but even wider, such as academic Zeqirja Ballata, academic Rauf Dhomi, composer Esat Rizvanolli, Arbër Dhomi, conductor in Netherlands, Trimor Dhomi, composer in Prishtina, Shkelzen Doli, violinist in the Symphony Orchestra in Vienna, etc.
Besides music, the scenic art in Gjakova municipality has also a rich history which has started in the first decades of the 20th century.
Consequently Gjakova’s theatre has been established in 1977 as the second professional theatre in the country.
Based on the data, the first theatre act has been brought into play in 1925.
In fact, during the years 1924-1931 in Gjakova existed the society called “Agimi”. Amongst its activities, in 1925 it brought into play the act “Miti Rrumbullaku”. The act was played in the house of Niman Baraku.
The actors that played in this act, known also as the first actors were: Munib Bokshi, Aziz Shasivari, Kapllan Axhanela, Sheh Danjolli, Halim Varaku and Sadik Tafarshiku. Roles of women in that act were played by Jusuf Këpuska and Sherif Baraku.
But the theatre activity was intensified in 50s, specifically starting from 1954 when the amateur theatre “Emin Duraku” was established. In 1977, this theatre was converted to a professional theatre.
Tens of projects with different subjects, from national and international authors, that were realized during years, were shown in front of the local public and in other areas inhabited by Albanians and wider.
The most famous names from this theatre were: Hadi Shehu, Hysen Binaku, Sulejman Lokaj, Jahja Shehu, Hajrullah Zherka, Myrvete Kurtishi, Gani Jetishi, Niman Muçaj, Ramazan Berkani, Qefsere Kurtishi etc.
A new generation of professional artists have joined this theatre to continue the nearly century old tradition.
Literary art also takes an important role in the culture of Gjakova municipality.
Amongst the first personalities of the Gjakova culture – with national orientation- is “Gjon Nikollë Kazazin”, who was born on January 1, 1702.
He was educated in the colleges of Fide Propaganda, where he concluded his studies in philosophy and theology. In 1740 in the library of Fide Propaganda in Rome he discovered the only copy of Gjon Buzuku’s Meshar, the most ancient monument of the written Albanian known until today. But this prelate added the catechism in Albanian language to this writing, which remains the oldest document of Gjakova’s dialect.
Gjakova’s madrasah
where the religious teaching was taking place, it is said to have had a rich library with writings even from the laic fields. One of the creators of this time it is said to be Tahir Efendi Gjakova (Tahir Boshnjaku) and his writing “Vehbije.”
Bektashi Tekke
in Gjakova became one of the most important centers of national education and culture in the city and wider. The first scholars of this Tekke are said to be: Baba Adem Vexhi, Baba Hamza Gjakova, Baba Qazim Bakalli etc. Other Tekkes as well, such as the Grand Tekke and Sheh Emin Tekke had collections of religious books, but also laic ones.
Amongst the representatives of the National Awakening to be mentioned is Shtjefën Gjeçovi, who for some time lived and carried out his activities in Zym of Has area, but expanded his religious and national activities even in the villages of Gjakova municipality. Besides all the publishing from different fields, he has great merits in codifying and publishing the Code of Lekë Dukagjini.
In Gjakova, since 1964, the literary club “Gjon Nikollë Kazazi” has been active.
This club included popular names of prose and poetry famous in country level and wider such as: Enver Gjergjeku, Rexhep Hoxha, Besim Bokshi, Din Mehmeti, Ali Podrimja, Teki Dervishi, Sefedin Fetiu, Xajë Nura, Kadrush Radogoshi, Nexhmedin Soba, Halil Haxhosaj, Agim Byci, Nimon Muqaj etc, whereas a great contribution in enriching the literature in this area was given by young poets as well.
Gjakova is known as a city of poetry, because for more than six decades it holds the biggest event in literature in the country known as “the Meeting of the poetry”, which in the recent years has become of an international character. This literary event has been held in Gjakova since 1964. In the beginning it was of a Kosovar character, but recently it has been turned into an international event.
The most famous artists in the field of painting originating from Gjakova are: Avdurrahim Buza, Qamil Grezda, (born in Gjakova, but they lived and operated in Albania), academic Muslim Mulliqi, academic Tahir Emra, academic Rexhep Feri, Fatmir Krypa, Masar Caka, Esat Valla, Ibrahim Ponosheci, Halil Muhaxhiri, Bedri Emra, and many others.
Some of these painters, such as academic Muslim Mulliqi, academic Tahir Emra, academic Rexhep Feri and prof. Fatmir Krypa have opened individual and joint exhibitions, almost in all continents, and those were assessed highly by the critics.