Leart Dokle is a Bulgarian actor whose name has been becoming increasingly popular not only on the theatre stage but also on cinema screen. He told us more about his Bulgarian roots and the origin of his name. His ancestors had been living in the village of Borie since the times of Tsar Ivan Assen II. Today the settlement is in the territory of Albania in the Gora-Borie region. Since ancient times in this region, as well as in Kosovo, Macedonia, Serbia, there are Bulgarian villages where "Bulgarian traditions have been preserved to this day." In Borie and the region people speak old Bulgarian language, Leart says. His family moved to Bulgaria unexpectedly shortly after visiting his two sisters – Borjana and Olta who were studying in Bulgaria. What happened was that Leart broke his leg here. “It was a bad break," the actor recalls. "I had to stay under medical supervision. And my parents decided to stay here.” It was just a year ago when he found out that the reason for the family to move to Bulgaria was this incident. Previously he thought the decision had been taken long before. Leart Dokle said he did not have big problems adapting:

“I was a 10-year-old child. There was normal school teasing for establishing positions but my best friends to this day are those from school.”

Dokle is a well-known family in Albania, including prominent writers, artists, politicians. Leart’s father Zehrudin Dokle is a famous actor and director, writer and translator of Bulgarian literature, while his mother – Kleopatra Dokle is a singer, with many awards and concerts around the world. Leart Dokle is convinced that the family environment has predetermined his choice to study at the National Academy of Theater and Film Arts in Sofia.

“As a child I was doing various imitations that amused relatives and friends. Everyone used to tell me that I should become an actor and I have always wanted it.”

Today, Leart Dokle is actor in the Ivan Vazov National Theater. “I have been fortunate to play roles that touched my heart deeply,” the actor says. At the end of December the premiere of the play "The Observers" by Konstantin Iliev with director Yavor Gardev will take place. In it Dokle plays the role of talented poet and revolutionary Hristo Botev. Is it difficult to recreate the image of such a great historical figure?

“People have deep respect towards such people but we should not feel fear in our work as actors. I also play Botev in “Hushove” by director Alexander Morfov. This is a challenge for me but I can say that I find many points of contact between the character of Botev and myself. I am even more curious now and I am trying to recreate his image through various details and aspects of his persona.”

In addition to theater, Leart Dokle has a successful career in cinema, and also has roles in TV series. According to him, theater is a more vivid art while cinema work on a larger scale. He adds he feel pleasure doing both. After participating in various festivals in Moscow, he decided to find an agent to represent him in Russia. After a casting, he got to work with Russian actor Dmitry Nagiev. Dokle speaks several languages and outside theater and cinema he loves sports:

“For 12 years I have been into boxing, which is my great passion. I also go to the gym and swim. Cooking is my hobby and it helps me relax. I like reading books and watching movies.”

Leart Dokle says that wherever he was he would be involved with theatre as this is what gives meaning to his life.

English: Alexander Markov