The Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD) promoted the album “100 Portraits”, a visual biography of Ismail Kadare.

The album covers 62 years (1962–2024) of Kadare’s life through 100 portraits. It presents the writer as never seen before—through paintings, sketches, graphics, and photography.

Professor Abaz Hado curated the exhibition “100 Portraits: Kadare in Visual Arts.”

The promotion took place at the Prime Minister’s Office as a tribute on the first anniversary of Kadare’s passing. This rare publication gathers works by well-known Albanian and international artists. Each artwork reflects love, respect, and inspiration for Kadare.

From early portraits by Kiliçi and Dilo to the most recent by Arif Lushi and Hamerald Agolli, the collection shows a life in colors, light and shadow, form, and symbolism.

Curator Abaz Hado stated that no other global figure has a catalog with 100 dedicated artworks. “Kadare comes second only to Skanderbeg in visual arts,” he said.
Researcher Ermir Nika described the album not just as an art collection but as Kadare’s biography told through images.

The project was a joint effort by the Pashko Liberal Institute, the European University of Tirana, and UET Press. With support from the Municipality of Tirana and the Credins Foundation, two more albums are currently in progress.

/a.c/