Albania marks 95 years since the birth of writer and academic Dritëro Agolli, born on October 13, 1931. He died in Tirana on February 3, 2017.
Agolli developed a distinctive literary voice rooted in Albanian language, tradition and folk wisdom. His first poetry collection, “Në rrugë dola” (I Set Out on the Road, 1958), began a prolific career that included “Hapat e mia në asphalt” (My Steps on the Asphalt, 1961), “Devoll, Devoll” (Devoll, Devoll, 1964), “Komisari Memo” (The Bronze Bust, 1970), “Shkëlqimi dhe rënia e shokut Zylo” (The Rise and Fall of Comrade Zylo, 1973) and “Njeriu me top” (The Man with the Gun, 1975).
His later works included “Kalorësi lakuriq” (The Naked Horseman, 1996), “Arka e djallit” (The Devil’s Ark, 1997), “Fletorka e mesnatës” (The Midnight Notebook, 1999), “Kur dëgjon zërin e sime mëje” (When You Hear My Mother’s Voice, 2001), “Lilith” (2004), “Udhëtari i vonuar” (The Late Traveller, 2014), “Prita” (The Ambush, 2014) and “Mosha e bardhë” (The White Age, 2016).
Beyond poetry and fiction, Agolli wrote essays, reportage, plays and film scripts. His work made him one of the leading voices in Albanian literature during the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. Translations have introduced his writing to readers in many languages.
A member of the Academy of Sciences of Albania, Agolli also served as a member of the People’s Assembly and supported younger generations of writers.
Events marking his 95th birthday include the inauguration of the Dritëro Agolli Museum in Menkulas, his birthplace in Devoll.
/a.p./
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