The National Library of Albania hosted the presentation of ‘Florante and Laura’ by Francisco Balagtas today at the “Sotir Kolea” Center.

Regarded as the most iconic poem in Philippine literature, ‘Florante and Laura’ was written by Francisco Balagtas, considered the greatest poet in the country’s history. Remarkably, this literary masterpiece also has a connection to Albania. Now published in Albanian by Ombra GVG, the poem’s original title is ‘Pinagdaanang Buhay ni Florante at ni Laura sa kahariang Albania’ (“The Life Journey of Florante and Laura in the Kingdom of Albania”).

Taught in Philippine schools, the poem tells the story of two lovers in medieval Albania, during the war between Christian Albanians and the Ottoman Empire.

Written in 1838, ‘Florante and Laura’ is one of the few enduring works in Filipino literature that continues to be republished and translated into multiple languages around the world.

While it is a tale of love, ‘Florante and Laura’ also stands as a symbol of patriotism for Filipinos. Just as Albanians fought for liberation from the Ottomans, the poem reflects the Philippine struggle for freedom from Spanish colonial rule.

/a.p./