The Ministry of Culture has returned the “Albanian Literature” award to honor academician Rexhep Qosje. Since 2017, when this award was established, only the writer Ismail Kadare had been honored with it. On Tuesday, at the ceremony for the “Azem Shkreli” Lifetime Achievement Award and other annual awards in the field of literature, Qosje was honored as one of the greatest influencers of Albanian literature.
The national literary award for lifetime achievement "Azem Shkreli" was awarded to writer Bajram Kosumi, while Ballsor Hoxha was awarded the prize for the best work in prose "Anton Pashku", for the collection of stories "Crates of People".
The award for the best work in poetry "Ali Podrimja" was given to Donika Dabishevic for the poetry book "E svetkohshmja andërr".
The "Vehbi Kikaj" award for children's and youth literature was awarded to Dije Demir for the book "Ama dërun", while the "Ibrahim Rugova" award for the best work in literary criticism and essay was shared between two scholars: Eronita Kqiku for the book "Arti i brikolazhit" and Meliza Krasniqi for the book "Shkrimtarët albanian 1954-1990".
The award for the best work translated into Albanian, "Pjetër Bogdani," was given to Lorenc Hajdar, for his translation of the poetry book "E thëna figurativiste," by German author Ulla Hahn.
Jury members for this year's awards were: Majlinda Bregasi, Entela Tabaku, Blerina Rogova-Gaxha, Hysen Matoshi and Shpëtim Selmani.
Academician Qosja said in his speech that the role of literature at this time is very important.
"In the time we are living in, the world is experiencing rapid changes, sometimes disturbing or even frightening, literature is a comfort for us, but also a spiritual tool that helps us fight, that is, to fight for freedom, truth and justice. Literature teaches us, it shows us who we are and what we can do," said Qosja.
The motivation for the awarding of the "Albanian Literature" award was read by the Minister of Culture, Hajrulla Çeku.
"Albanian literature in the multilateral dimensions of literary creativity and historical-literary and literary critical thought has academician Rexhep Qosje as the most representative sign of its identity. His novels and plays are trends that changed the Albanian literary flow of the time, separating it from the prevailing conformism of the poetics of socialist realism, always remaining in search of new modern aesthetic dimensions, expressive, structural and substantive," said Çeku.
"Literature and the arts make a person better, make a person more humane, and make a person more visionary. Therefore, investing in literature is a strategy to win and preserve human goodness, human humanity, and the fight for freedom," said Kosumi.
The Ministry of Culture traditionally awards these awards as recognition and support for literary creators.
