The Academy of Sciences of Albania today hosted the scientific conference ‘Byron and Byronism in the Albanian World,’ dedicated to commemorating the 200th anniversary of the death of the English poet G. G. Byron, a seminal figure in European Romanticism. Byron’s works stimulated cultural interest across the ancient peoples of the Balkans, particularly among Albanians and Greeks, in their ancient heritage.

In his inaugural address, Scientific Secretary Shaban Sinani remarked that the introduction of European Romanticism into the Albanian context, after centuries of neglect within the Ottoman superstate, constituted a revitalizing force.

“Albanians, Greeks, Spaniards, and the ancient peoples of the Mediterranean whom Byron encountered were portrayed to the West as exemplars of historical glory, models of virtue, and luminaries of heritage. Through Byron’s oeuvre, Europe rediscovered and acknowledged the Albanian language, Albanian identity, folklore, attire, virtues, vices, social order, and traditional life, aspects it had itself lost due to industrial development,” expressed Sinani.

The conference also received greetings from Academician Mehmet Kraja, Chairman of ASHAK, co-organizer of the international scientific conference. The President of the Academy of Sciences and Arts in Kosovo stated that this anniversary serves as a tribute to this extraordinary figure in world literature and also as an homage to the translator Skënder Luarasi, whose significant contribution ensured Byron’s prominent place in Albanian literature as if he were an integral part of it.

/a.c/