Parashqevi Simaku (born 1 September 1966) is an Albanian-born American[1] singer renowned for her artistic career during the 1980s and her significant impact on Albanian musical culture.

She achieved the peak of her career on the national stage with her distinctive voice, earning numerous awards and delivering performances that remain unforgettable to this day.

Students from the Higher Institute of Arts began singing love songs after the airing of the television show Muzika për të gjithë (Music for everyone).

This act quickly escalated as others joined, chanting slogans like “Art is the world” and “Down with fascism,” alongside cries of “Viva Parashqevi, Viva.” Some students even burned letters and waved lights from balconies, creating a rare moment of defiance against the oppressive communist regime.

Simaku’s artistic presence and public persona resonated deeply with Albanian youth, becoming a source of hope and freedom during a time of fear and censorship.