Today, July 1, the famous Albanian writer Ismail Kadare died. He was 88 years old. Mr Kadare died of a heart attack, Tirana Hospital said. He arrived at the hospital "with no signs of life" and doctors performed CPR, but he "passed away at around 06:40 GMT" (8:40 a.m. local time), the hospital said.
Ismail Kadare was born on January 28, 1936, in Gjirokaster, Albania. He studied at the University of Tirana, and then at the World Literary Institute "Maxim Gorky" in Moscow. Education in Moscow gave him the opportunity to get acquainted with various literary currents and movements, which had a great influence on his writing style, "Albanian Post" reported.
Kadare's literary career began in the 1960s. His first novel, The General of the Dead Army (1963), brought him international fame. This novel tells the story of an Italian general and a priest who went to Albania to find the remains of Italian soldiers killed during World War II and is a powerful commentary on the meaninglessness of war and the complexity of national identity.
Some of his most popular works include:
The Stone Chronicle (1971): A semi-autobiographical novel set in his hometown during World War II.
The Palace of Questions (1981): A dystopian novel that deals with the themes of totalitarianism and state control and is often seen as a critique of the Albanian communist regime.
The Broken Mill (1980): A novel that examines the traditional Albanian canonical code and blood feud culture.
Kadare's works often criticized the despotic political regimes in Albania, especially during the rule of Enver Hoxha. Despite living under a repressive regime, Kadare managed to navigate censorship and create works that secretly criticized the government. His allegorical and often obscure writing style allows him to address treaty-related topics without directly exacting revenge.
In 1990, as the political situation in Albania worsened, Kadare sought refuge in France. The decision to leave the country was partly due to the growing risk for intellectuals in Albania. In France, he continued to write and publish, gaining further international recognition.
Ismail Kadare has received many awards and honours, including the first Man Booker International Prize in 2005. He is often mentioned as a potential candidate for the Nobel Prize for Literature, although he did not receive it.
Kadare's works have been translated into many languages and he is considered a key figure in world literature. His novels offer a unique perspective on the human condition, Albanian culture, and the influence of historical and political forces on individuals and societies.
Ismail Kadare remains a powerful voice in literature, with his works continuing to resonate with readers around the world for their profound thoughts and literary prowess. | BGNES
