Literature Archives - The Balkanista

‘Canta’

October 4, 2019October 4, 2019The Balkanista

Sa here do te kujtoj femijerine, me vjen nder mend canta ime e zeze, me e cuditshmja dhe me e vecanta qe ne te gjithe brezat e shkollareve eshte perdorur. Nena ime ish martuar me buje e paje, pasi qe e vetmja femer, pas 4 vellezerve. Kjo gje sa thuhej, se ne fakt(komenton im me), […]

Quality picks

Visit Tirana: Shtepia Studio Kadare

July 17, 2019July 17, 2019The Balkanista

For literary lovers and history buffs, there is a new attraction for you located in the centre of Tirana. Shtepia Studio Kadare, or the House Studio Kadare was his home for many years and is the place where he wrote many of his books, predominantly during the time of Communism. View this post on Instagram […]

Why are we forgetting Musine Kokalari?

May 27, 2019May 28, 2019The Balkanista

When you think of great, Albanian writers, you probably think of Ismail Kadare. Of course, he is an excellent writer and his books deserve recognition for the great literary works that they are, but what about Musine Kokalari? Whilst Kadare’s work is widely published in English and a museum has just opened in Tirana in […]

20 Things I am Sure You Didn’t Know about Albania

March 8, 2019March 8, 2019The Balkanista

Impress your friends over coffee with these interesting tidbits stemming from Albanian history, tradition, culture, and folklore. Did you know that many years ago, a bat was considered an omen of death? If one flew into your house, it was believed that someone would die. Scanderbegs sister-in-law was an Orthodox saint called Angelina of Kruja? […]

A Visit to Kantina Nurellari

November 12, 2018The Balkanista

As a lover of all things Albanian and a particular lover of wine, I was excited to be able to attend a tasting session, and a tour of Kantina Nurellari. View this post on Instagram A really fantastic day at @nurellari_winery in Berat and thankyou to @levent.nurellari for his impeccable hospitality. #travelinspiration #instatravel #travelinspo #albanianlife […]

My interview with Blitz.al

October 24, 2018October 24, 2018The Balkanista

This interview originally appeared on blitz.al Alice Taylor është britanikja që ka vendosur të jetojë në Shqipëri. Ajo ka gjetur veten e saj në jetesën dhe kulturën shqiptare, dhe ka vendosur të dokumentojë hapat e saj në blogun “The balkanista”. Por Alice ka një histori shumë interesante dhe frymëzuese që synon ta vazhdojë më tej, […]

From made man to re-made man- My interview with John Alite

October 23, 2018October 25, 2018The Balkanista

As I walked up the steps of the Classic Hotel in Tirana, I glanced around looking for the subject of my latest interview. Above the chitchat of the lunchtime coffee drinkers, I could make out the unmistakable sound of a thick New York drawl with a hint of gravel. Impeccably articulate and expressive, his voice […]

Agritourism: The Buzzword with Serious Benefit for Albania

October 17, 2018The Balkanista

This post first appeared on Exit.al As a travel writer, the word ‘agritourism’ is one that I have heard bounced around many a time. But it is not just a passing phase, a fad, or something that will just be popular for a season or two- unlike many other forms of tourism, it is […]

Fluturim/Flight, a book by Kleitia Vaso

June 18, 2018The Balkanista

Always on the lookout to find new books to read, particularly if they are by Albanian authors, I was thrilled to come across “Fluturim” or “Flight” (in English) by Albanian writer, Kleitia Vaso. Kleitia was born in Tirana before going to live in the US where she studied for a Master’s in Comparative Literature from […]

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his tribute to Skanderberg

April 17, 2018April 17, 2018The Balkanista

In 1431, Albania- at the time a part of the Christian Bulgarian Empire, was conquered by Ottoman Turkish Muslims. Led by Sultan Mehmet II, an Islamic crusade tore across Constantinople, Serbia, Morea, the coast of the Black Sea, Wallachia, Bosnia, Vienna, Karaman, Akkoyunulu, the Crimea, and Moldavia. The Ottomans seized control of a vast expanse […]

Category: Literature

‘Canta’

Quality picks

Visit Tirana: Shtepia Studio Kadare

Why are we forgetting Musine Kokalari?

20 Things I am Sure You Didn’t Know about Albania

A Visit to Kantina Nurellari

My interview with Blitz.al

From made man to re-made man- My interview with John Alite

Agritourism: The Buzzword with Serious Benefit for Albania

Fluturim/Flight, a book by Kleitia Vaso

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his tribute to Skanderberg

Categories

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