An exhibition titled “Kosovo through Kadare’s Eyes” opened on Friday at the National Library of Kosovo “Pjetër Bogdani” in Pristina, marking the 90th anniversary of the birth of renowned Albanian writer Ismail Kadare.
The exhibition was organised by the Embassy of Albania in Kosovo, the National Library of Kosovo and the Kadare House-Studio, part of the Municipality of Tirana.
At the opening ceremony, First Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nora Arapi-Krasniqi highlighted Kadare’s contribution to promoting Albanian literature internationally. She stressed that he was much more than a writer for Kosovo.
Arapi-Krasniqi said Kadare used his international reputation and intellectual influence to support Kosovo’s liberation and oppose discriminatory policies and ethnic cleansing against Albanians in the former Yugoslavia.
“His works accompanied us through difficult years, gave us strength and reminded us that words can represent resistance, memory and hope,” she said, adding that Kadare never separated the Kosovo issue from his intellectual commitment.
Meanwhile, National Library Director Blerina Rogova Gaxha described Kadare as one of the rare writers whose work creates an entire literary universe.
She noted that understanding a writer requires more than reading published works. It also means exploring the traces they leave beyond their books.
Through his writing, Kadare crossed linguistic and geographical boundaries and brought Albanian literature into the wider dialogue of world culture. He transformed history, mythology, collective memory and the human condition into themes of universal significance, she said.
Albanian Ambassador to Kosovo Petrit Malaj also praised Kadare’s contribution to international literature. He said the writer brought the Albanian language to the world literary stage and made the historical experience of Albanians part of universal memory.
Malaj added that, despite his international recognition, Kadare remained deeply connected to his Albanian roots, identity and history, with Kosovo holding a special place in his historical consciousness.
The exhibition features documents and other materials highlighting Kadare’s ties with Kosovo, his literary work and his intellectual engagement during important periods in Albanian history.
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