Adelina: A Story of Uncompromising Selfhood
Aurela Berila

Aurela Berila’s research project, Adelina: A Story of Uncompromising Selfhood, examines the public persona and artistic legacy of Adelina Ismaili, one of Kosovo’s most iconic pop stars of the 1990s and 2000s. Presented as an academic paper and public lecture, Berila’s work delves into Ismaili’s performances, song lyrics, promotional materials, and media appearances to analyze her navigation of self-expression within patriarchal constraints. Drawing on performance studies, queer theory, and feminist critique, Berila highlights contradictions in Ismaili’s career: her widespread adoration amidst societal policing of her gender and sexuality, and her use of hyper-feminine aesthetics to reclaim agency and challenge the male gaze.

Through archival exploration and critical analysis, Berila contextualizes Ismaili’s defiance of societal norms, her subversion of dominant narratives, and her lasting impact on generations of performers. The project reimagines Ismaili’s career as an act of radical self-assertion, crafting a space for individuality and resistance within a restrictive cultural framework.