Tirana will become a meeting point for Albanian, Balkan and European literature from October 7 to 9, as the 12th edition of the International Festival of Young Literature “Tirana Gate 2026” takes place in the capital. The Institute of Books and Promotion organizes the festival under the theme “When Silence Speaks – Literature that Crosses Borders, Challenges Narratives and Restores Excluded Voices.”

The festival will explore memory, trauma, identity, diaspora and representation through literature. Writers, poets, translators and researchers from Albania, the region and Europe will join panels and discussions at Vila 31 x Art Explora, the National Library and other cultural venues. International guests include German writer Martina Hefter, Greek author Ersi Sotiropoulos, Cypriot writer Emilios Solomou and authors from Spain, Italy, Turkey and Romania. Albanian literature will feature writers such as Rita Petro, Flutura Açka, Besnik Mustafaj and Diana Çuli.

Meanwhile, the program will focus on topics including intergenerational trauma, forgotten archives, diaspora and young people’s relationship with books. A special panel will examine reading in the digital age. The festival will also offer creative writing workshops, book presentations and autograph sessions with participating authors.

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