About

Zana Hoxha (born in 1981) is a professional theatre director, founder, and executive director of the Artpolis – Art and Community Center, an organization that promotes art and diversity through social dialogue and community integration. She has created more than 30 theatrical performances which have been presented in the major theatres in Kosovo, Balkans, Her works as an artist/activist/trainer took her elsewhere in USA, Europe, Middle East and North Africa. Her work has been highly valued and has won several awards over the years: The musical “Spring Awakening” was awarded with the best performance for 2020 by the Ministry of Culture of Kosovo; “Best Director” in the “Albanian theatre in North Macedonia” festival; Best performance – “Grand Prix” Award, in the fourteenth edition of ITF SkupiFestival 2020; The performance “Artemis’s Huntresses” was awarded in Etno Fest 2020 with two prizes Best Show and Best Performance; The performance “Bits and Pieces” was awarded in Etno Fest 2019 with two prizes: Best Director and Best Actress. Her artistic activism has expanded in 2022 with the creation of two theatre performances: “The Bug” which was presented for 10 days during May at the House of Leaves in Tirana, Albania; while “Haunted Land”, opened the 10th edition of the FemArt Festival on June 14th. Zana was the Director of the Theatre Department at the SKENA UP festival during 2004-2011, the Artistic Director of the Professional Theatre 2011-2014, and is the Founder and Director of the ARTPOLIS Organization and the largest feminist festival in the Balkans of artists and activists, FEMART. She is also selected as IVLP alumna (International Program for Foreign Visitors to the United States of America) and the winner of many awards for her contribution as a director in Kosovo and the region. Combining art and activism, she uses theatre as an advocacy tool for social rights that focuses on raising awareness of gender-based violence, human rights, and diversity. Zana is a Laureate of “Future Leaders” program by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for her leadership in gender equality, advocacy, social enhancement, and women’s rights. She was a Chevening Fellow and completed her Master’s Degree in Theatre Directing at LAMDA in London. Recently, she created and directed the theatre performance Revolt. She Said, Revolt Again by Alice Birch. Additionally, she directed Electra, a performance born from a collaboration between the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and the Athens Conservatoire. In 2024, she co-directed the theatre performance “Women of Troy” alongside Maja Mitic, while also penning the dramaturgy for the dance theatre play “O Lord, O Lord, Lady of the House.” In 2026 she dramatized and directed “CABARET 1999” in Gjilan Theater and directed NO CARMEN! At Mladinsko Theater in Slovenia. She is proud to be a member of the board of the Kosovo Women’s Network, a lecturer and trainer specializing in Forum Theatre, and a supporter of the empowerment and emancipation of women activists.

Donarta Limanaj is the Finance and Administration Manager at Artpolis. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Prishtina and is currently completing her Master’s studies at the University of Prishtina. She is a member of the Association of Certified Accountants and Auditors of Kosovo (SCAAK) and has completed several professional trainings in the field of finance. Donarta began her professional engagement as a volunteer in non-governmental organizations and later gained three years of experience working in finance. She has been part of Artpolis for several years, where she is responsible for financial management and administrative processes, contributing to the effective and accountable implementation of the organization’s programmes and activities.

Séphora Haymann is an actress, author and dramaturge, and co-founder of the #MeTooThéâtre collective. Her work develops at the intersection of artistic creation and feminist engagement, exploring how intimate experiences can reveal and challenge systemic forms of violence. She performs in a variety of theatrical productions and collaborates with artists as a dramaturge, contributing to the development of works that address contemporary social and political issues. Her artistic approach is grounded in a dialogue between personal narratives and collective struggles, linking individual stories to broader societal dynamics. Alongside her artistic work, she regularly takes part in public discussions, workshops and awareness-raising initiatives on gender-based violence and equality. As co-director of the WeToo Festival, she contributes to shaping a space where artistic practices become tools for empowerment, visibility and social transformation. Within the WAVES project, her work supports the development of feminist counter-narratives and the amplification of women’s voices across artistic and cultural contexts.

Cécile Martin is an actress and director whose work explores the relationships between body, sexuality and gender through a feminist perspective. She collaborates with several companies engaged in socially committed artistic creation. Her practice seeks to question dominant representations and to create spaces where silenced or marginalized experiences can be expressed. Through performance and staging, she addresses intimate subjects while connecting them to broader social and political issues. She is currently co-developing two theatrical projects, Le Coussin (2026), focusing on incest, and Irène Versus Gloria (2027), addressing abortion rights. These works reflect her commitment to tackling complex and sensitive topics through artistic creation. As co-director of the WeToo Festival, she contributes to building a multidisciplinary and inclusive program that fosters dialogue between artists, audiences and activists. Within the WAVES framework, she supports collaborative approaches that connect artistic practices with European discussions on gender equality.

Caroline Sahuquet is an actress, director, author and pedagogue. Her work combines artistic creation, research and social engagement, with a strong focus on feminist issues and collective processes. She develops projects that explore themes such as women’s health, bodily autonomy and systemic violence, while also leading workshops aimed at restoring self-esteem among vulnerable audiences. Her approach considers theatre as a tool for care, awareness and transformation. Deeply committed to collaborative practices, she works closely with other artists to create engaged forms of theatre that address urgent social issues. As co-director of the WeToo Festival, she plays a central role in shaping a cultural platform that combines artistic ambition with political commitment. Her involvement in the WAVES project reflects a dedication to fostering international artistic cooperation and strengthening feminist perspectives across Europe.

Cultural project manager, grant manager, project evaluation expert, PR and communication; an actress specializing in participatory practices (playback theater, doc/postdoc theater), a performer Certified playback theater trainer and mediator. Creator of the performance project “Southern Wind” Project manager for “Women During War”. Project manager for playback theater development in the Odesa region, Ukraine.

Accredited trainer of Playback Theatre by Center for Playback Theatre (Naw York), conductor, actress. Co-founder and Board member of Ukrainian School of Playback Theatre, co-founder and Head of non-government organization “ART-Playback”, leader of playback-company “Na Varti”, lecturer in National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”.

Mirela Muskaj is a finance professional with over 20 years of experience in financia management, accounting, and project administration. She graduated in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Tirana in 2002. She has worked extensively with non-profit organizations and international donor-funded projects, managing budgets, financial reporting, grant compliance, and audit preparation. Since 2016, she has served as Finance Manager for a cultural NGO “Eja ne Teater” where she oversees project finances and ensures compliance with donor regulations from organizations such as British Council, World Vision, and the Leviz Albania. Mirela is known for her strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and commitment to transparency and accountability in financial operations.

Berat Bajrami is an artist and activist from Rahovec. He graduated from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Prishtina, Department of Printmaking. For more than five years, he worked as a journalist at KOHA.net, while also being involved in various artistic and cultural projects. Since March 2021, he has been part of Artpolis, where he currently works as Cultural Program Manager and PR Officer.

Valdete Idrizi is a feminist, peace activist, artivist, and civil society leader from Mitrovica with over two decades of intensive work in peacebuilding, community development and women’s empowerment. She founded Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) and co-founded initiatives such as Mitrovica Rock School and Mitrovica Forum, fostering dialogue in the ethnically divided city. Idrizi led the CiviKos Platform, Kosovo’s largest CSO network, for over six years before entering politics with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), serving as MP (2019–2021) and advisor to the Speaker of Parliament (2018-2019. She served as a Director of Culture, youth and Sports in the Municipality of Mitrovica (2022-2024). Her dedication has earned her multiple international honors, including the International Women of Courage Award (2008) from State Department (US), Soroptimist Peace Prize (2009), (NL) and WIFTS Peace Award (2016) Women International for Film and Television Showcase (GB). Beyond politics, she remains active in mentoring young women, supporting marginalized groups, and engaging in regional peace networks. She is member of the Waves Project Steering Committee (PSC) engaged as external expert for Gender Equality and Cultural Cooperation.

Venera Ismaili was born in 1972 in Prishtina and has built a diverse professional career spanning the private sector, media production, and the cultural field. She began her professional journey in 1992 at the information technology company Infotrade, where she gained her first work experience in sales and administrative roles. In 2006, she continued her career at Asseco, one of the most successful IT companies in the region, where she worked until 2011. From 2011 to 2018, she remained active in the private sector, working with Xella and PR Solutions LLC, gaining broad professional experience. During this period, she was also part of the production team of an episodic television show focused on women’s health before, during, and after pregnancy, marking an important intersection between media, social issues, and public awareness. A long-time lover of the arts and culture, as well as a committed supporter of human rights initiatives, Venera decided to align her professional path with her personal values. Since February 2019, she has been working at Artpolis – Art and Community Center, where her work includes, among others, a strong focus on peacebuilding programs. In this role, she has several years of experience working with young people from all communities living in Kosovo, as well as across the Western Balkans region, using art and culture as tools for dialogue, trust-building, and social change. She is part of the organizing team of the International FemArt Festival, a feminist arts and activism festival, and is also involved in organizing the first edition of the regional Circle Fest, which brings together young artists from the Western Balkans. Through her work, Venera aims to contribute to building a more just and inclusive society, grounded in genuine values, gender equality, LGBTQI rights, and a firm stance against sexual harassment, discrimination, violence, and all forms of oppression—whether directed at individuals or communities.

Member of the Waves Project Steering Committee (PSC) engaged as external expert for Digital Security and Green Practices.