Last weekend, Korça hosted poets from around the world. The city held the 29th edition of the International Festival of Authors, “Korça Nights of Poetry.”

Poets performed their works in various events. One special tradition was the planting of a tree in the Park of Poets. This act honored the legacy of the written word.

The festival named Sadik Bejko as Poet Laureate. He planted the traditional tree in the park.

Maklena Nika won the Crown of Poetry award.
Tsvika Nir from Israel received the award for Most Beautiful Poem.
Dinos Kubatis from Greece won the Dritëro Agolli award.
Zyhdi Dervishi received the Asdreni award.
Rakela Zoga earned the Special Award for her original perspective and for sharing universal values through poetry.

The festival celebrated the power and beauty of poetry.

Thirty-four poets came from Italy, France, Israel, Monaco, Greece, Kosovo, and Albania. They brought their verses, their cultures, and their emotions.

Korça turned into an open stage. It became a spiritual journey, united by the universal language of art.

Poets included Angela Valenti Durazzo, Bardhosh Gaçe, Pierre Ech-Ardour, Helena Halilaj, Albin Lushi, Maklena Nika, Sadik Bejko, Raimonda Moisiu – Sade, Tsvika Nir, Entela Kasi, Vlora Konishevci, and others.

The festival had support from the National Book and Reading Center, the “Thimi Mitko” Public Library, the Municipality of Korça, and PEN Albania.

“Let this edition prove once again that poetryis not locked in books. It lives in voices, in streets, in meetings like this. Most of all, it lives inside us when we choose to listen with our hearts,” said Alda Bardhyli, director of the National Book and Reading Center.

/a.c/