Albanian poet Lasgush Poradeci, born Llazar Gusho, died in Tirana on 12 November 1987. He remains one of the most distinguished figures in 20th-century Albanian literature.
Born on 27 December 1899 in Pogradec, Gusho grew up in an urban family with strong cultural traditions. His hometown became his greatest source of inspiration. His pen name, Poradeci, linked his literary identity permanently to the city.
After studying in Bitola, Athens, Bucharest, Graz and Vienna, he devoted himself to literature, translation and cultural work. His poetry marked a new stage in Albanian lyric poetry, combining artistic sensitivity, philosophical reflection and exceptional command of language.
Critics regard Poradeci as one of the founders of modern Albanian poetry. His two collections, Vallja e Yjve (The Dance of the Stars, 1933) and Ylli i Zemrës (The Star of the Heart, 1937), remain among the most studied and acclaimed works of Albanian literature. His poetry transforms nature, especially the landscape of Lake Pogradec, into a reflection of the human spirit. Love, life, death and eternity also feature as universal themes.
Poradeci also made a significant contribution as a translator. His work brought major works of world literature into Albanian from German, English, French, Russian and Romanian.
Who Is the Flower of the Balkans?
Who is the flower of the Balkans,
That the world holds dear?
Kosova, that knows no sultan,
With its many chieftains and captains fierce.
Proud of honour, proud in spirit,
They brook no insult, bear no chain;
They bare their breasts to fire and fury,
Like eagles battling wind and rain.
Kosova charges into blazing fire,
Like winged dragons, fierce and free;
As once in triumph charged to battle
George Kastrioti, valiantly.
Lasgush Poradeci
/a.p./
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