The third edition of the “Sami Frashëri” Award took place in Belsh this week, recognizing outstanding contributions to Albanian studies, literature and journalism.

The ceremony brought together prominent figures from Albania’s academic, cultural and media communities, including Academy of Sciences Chairman Academician Skënder Gjinushi, academics, professors, researchers, writers, journalists and publicists, as well as students from Belsh.

Belsh Mayor Arif Tafani, who founded the award, also attended the ceremony. The Belsh Municipal Council established the award in 2024, naming it after Sami Frashëri, one of the most important figures of the Albanian National Renaissance.

For 2026, the jury, chaired by Namik Dokle, selected three laureates.

The award for Albanian studies went to Academician Vasil S. Tole for his book Laver Bariu, Ustai i Fundit (Laver Bariu, the Last Master), in recognition of his contribution to musicology, ethnomusicology and the documentation of Albania’s cultural heritage.

The literature award went to poet Rudolf Marku for his poetry collection Kthimet (Returns), published by Onufri. The jury praised the collection for its conceptual depth and modern expression, as well as for its contribution to Albanian poetry.

Meanwhile, journalist Fatmir Popja received the journalism award.

The award recognizes Popja’s decades-long professional career in Albanian journalism, spanning print media, television and radio, and later extending to online journalism.

The jury, chaired by Namik Dokle, cited Popja’s contribution as that of a:

“Professional known for accurate and rapid reporting, a courageous journalist who conducted some of the first investigative reports in Albanian journalism, an observer of social issues and human concerns, a dedicated seeker of the truth, a well-known sports commentator, a manager of local media in Elbasan during the early years of democracy, a tireless journalist for national media, and the founder of an online media outlet.”

The “Sami Frashëri” Award aims to establish a lasting cultural tradition in Belsh. In addition, the initiative seeks to bring prominent figures from Albania’s academic, literary and media communities to the city while engaging younger generations in promoting and preserving the country’s cultural heritage.

In its first two editions, the “Sami Frashëri” Award honored prominent figures in Albanian culture and intellectual life, including publishers and publicists Bujar Hudhri and Aleksandër Çipa, researchers Marenglen Kasmi and Shaban Sinani, and writers Ben Blushi and Flutura Açka. The award also honored journalist and national media executive Aristir Lumezi posthumously.

Thus, after only three editions, the “Sami Frashëri” Award has begun to establish a distinctive profile within Albania’s cultural life.

/a.c/