The literary awards for this year’s authors and translators were distributed today In the 2022 edition of Tirana Book Fair.

Tirana Mayor, Erion Veliaj, has presented the award The Best Author to the writer Zija Çela for his work “Banka e Ankesave” (Bank of Complaints) with the motivation “For the radiation of a rich wisdom and literary experience in identifying the wastage of the human soul, as well as the alienation of the face of death and love in the labyrinths of a world that takes on dystopian shapes”.

Writer Natasha Poroçani was praised for her work in children’s literature, with the book Kalendari i ëndrrave të mollës” (Calendar of Apple Dreams), translator Klarita Lagji received the award for the best translation from French of the work “La place” (Vendi i Baibit), by the Nobel Prize winning writer Annie Ernaux. The winning author for the best academic work was proclaimed Arben Imami for his work “3 forms of thought, Mythology, Rationality, Religion”, while the award for the Best Translation of the year was given to Romeo Çollaku for the translation of the work “Poor Man of God” by Nikos Kazanxaqis.

Tirana Mayor Veliaj said that the Municipality of Tirana will continue to support the Book Fair.

“As the head of the Municipality, I think that during this “Year of Youth”, this was probably the best sponsorship we have done. I would like to continue to increase it every year. Perhaps by increasing the duration, giving the opportunity to as many genres as possible to be presented and as many writers as possible, and perhaps taking more space than the Palace of Congresses. I feel good that the municipality was the main sponsor of this activity. I can’t wait to take it even further next year”, emphasized Veliaj.

Tirana Mayor emphasized that the city will be synonym of the book fair.

“I’m glad that the stakes are getting higher. I really want the city to be synonymous with the book fair. As the Mayor in the year of Youth, I am really happy that all colleagues promoted young people. We really needed to receive this message that here the youth still produces and still has desire to,” declared Veliaj.

Veliaj underlined that in a world where borders and diplomatic debates are still hot topics, the book overcomes barriers.

“I was encouraged that there is a lot of good literature for children. As a late francophone I am very good at serious and voluminous translations. Mrs. Duda always sniffs out the next winners and Nobel laureates and precedes many of these characters. Many congratulations to Ben (Blushi). I really appreciated the message from our translator Romeo (Çollaku). In a world where borders, diplomatic debates where recognition and non-recognition are still hot topics, the book overcomes these barriers and I thank you very much for this contribution”, declared Tirana Mayor.

/a.p./