Tirana Reads

4th Edition

#TIRANAREADS ALBANIAN

17‒19 OCTOBER 2019, TIRANA

#TIRANAREADS ALBANIAN
#tiranalexon është një nismë letrare publike, që nisi si një maratonë leximi në kafenetë letrare, shkolla, biblioteka etj., nën organizimin e Institutit për Demokraci, Media dhe Kulturë, mbështetur nga Ministria e Kulturës.

Në dallim nga edicionet e shkuara, këtë vit, kjo iniciativë vjen nën moton #tiranalexon shqip. Studiuesit, autorët dhe vetë botuesit kanë ngritur kambanat e alarmit për uljen drastike të numrit të atyre që zgjedhin të lexojnë shqip. Pas viteve '90, tirazhet e botimeve shqiptare nuk i kalojnë 500 kopjet, në rastin më të mirë, e letërsia shqipe duket sikur po shkon gjithnjë e më tepër drejt zgripit. Ndaj, me synim ndërgjegjësimin e lexuesve mbi letrat shqipe, ky edicion do të quhet: #tiranalexon shqip.
Është konceptuar si një aktivitet në lëvizje, që do të udhëtojë përgjatë qytetit, për të shkuar tek lexuesit. Takimet do të mbahen tek; Biblioteka "Hamit Beqaj", Salla e bibliotekës, Muzeu Historik Kombëtar, Hemingway Tirana, Libraria Tirana Times. Shtrirja në disa pika të ndryshme e kryesore të qytetit synon ta kthejë #tiranalexon në një ngjarje për kryeqytetasit.
Pjesë e leximeve do të bëhen disa nga autorët bashkëkohorë shqiptarë, si: Agron Tufa, Enkel Demi, Evis Cerga, Lekë Tasi, por edhe studiues e kritikë letrarë. Përballë tyre do të jenë lexuesit, gjimnazistë dhe mësues, anëtarë të klubeve letrare dhe të ftuar të tjerë, të cilët do të diskutojnë mes tyre dhe do të lexojnë fragmente nga krijimtaria dhe autorët e preferuar të letërsisë shqipe.
Përgjatë tri ditëve, në datat 17, 18 dhe 19 tetor 2019, takimet letrare do të mbahen gjatë mbrëmjeve, në harkun kohor 17:00–21:00.

PROGRAM
17 tetor, Biblioteka "Hamit Beqaj"
17:30–17:40
Fjalët përshëndetëse:
Elva Margariti (Ministre e Kulturës)
Jonila Godole (Drejtore Ekzekutive, IDMC)
17:40–19:00
Lexime dhe diskutime nga lexuesit e bibliotekës, anëtarë të klubit letrar, gjimnazistë dhe studentë.
Të ftuar: Bujar Hudhri (botues) dhe studiues e pedagogë të letërsisë nga Universiteti i Tiranës.
Moderon: Anisa Ymeri (përgjegjëse e bibliotekës, gazetare)
18 tetor, Salla e Bibliotekës, Muzeu Historik Kombëtar
11:00–12:30
Letërsia si vend kujtese
Lexime dhe diskutime: Lekë Tasi (autor)
Moderojnë: Jonila Godole (autore, përkthyese) dhe Fatmira Nikolli (gazetare)
–
Ish-violonçelist e piktor, biseda me Lekë Tasin do të përqendrohet tek libri i tij "Grabiani rrëzë kodrave", ku artisti përcjell kujtime nga jeta në internim gjatë regjimit komunist. Përmes ditarit të viteve nën shtrëngim ai sjell personazhe e karaktere me të cilët është njohur.
18 tetor, Hemingway Tirana
18:00–19:30
Lexime dhe diskutime: Agron Tufa (autor)
Moderon: Lili Sula (kritike letrare)
–
Agron Tufa është poet, prozator, përkthyes dhe studiues; fitues i disa çmimeve letrare, mes të cilëve "Pena e Argjendtë" për romanin më të mirë ("Fabula Rasa", 2005), Çmimi i Madh Letrar Kombëtar për gjithë veprën letrare (2009), etj. Është përkthyes i disa prej autorëve më të rëndësishëm rusë të shekullit XX. Vepra e tij në prozë e poezi është përkthyer në disa gjuhë të huaja. Libri i tij i fundit "Zonja Asnjeri dhe Zoti Askurrkush", do të jetë në fokus të këtij takimi.
19 tetor, Libraria "Tirana Times"
19:30–20:45
Lexime dhe diskutime: Enkel Demi (autor), Evis Cerga (autore)
Moderon: Edlira Agolli (letrare)
–
Enkel Demi është gazetar, moderator dhe shkrimtar, ndonëse i njohur me një tjetër emër në fushën e letërsisë shqipe. Ai është autor i dy librave të suksesshëm që titullohen "Hide mbi kalldrëm" dhe "Gurët e vetmisë", të cilët u botuan nën pseudonimin Tom Kuka. Në prag të botimit të librit të tij të tretë, që fokusohet po tek Tirana, por në një tjetër periudhë historike, ai do t'u përgjigjet pyetje të lexuesve dhe do të rrëfejë Tiranën e Tom Kukës.
Evis Cerga ka mbaruar studimet e larta në Universitetin e Kajros, në Fakultetin e Arteve të Bukura, Dega Letërsi Angleze. Ka punuar për trembëdhjetë vjet si përkthyese në Përfaqësinë e Përhershme të Zyrës së Bankës Botërore në Tiranë. Që nga viti 2007 është përkthyese në profesion të lirë. Me librin e parë Rruga "Miqësia", ajo i shtohet listës së shkrimtareve femra, me një zë të veçantë dhe origjinal, ku sjell copëza jete, personazhe të Tiranës së sotme dhe të Tiranës së kohës së dikurshme.

Organizers:
Institute for Democracy, Media & Culture
Ministry of Culture

Partners:
Biblioteka "Hamit Beqaj"
Hemingway Tirana
Libraria "Tirana Times"

2nd Edition

TIRANA READS

29‒30 SEPTEMBER 2016, TIRANA

29–30 September 2016, Tirana – Tirana Reads 2016 came as a reading marathon for the second time in the frame of Tirana Literature Festival (TILF), organized by Institute for Democracy, Media & Culture (IDMC) with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Konrad Adenauer Foundation. The event started on September 29th, with "Literature as a Place of Memory" preceding readings with journalists and writers on September 30th, the World Translation Day.

Tirana Reads 2016 gathered in members of the cultural scene fond of books, writers and prominent Albanian translators reading from their favorite books and sharing their approach to the writing process. To make it more accessible to a wider audience, the readings were held in public areas such as: "Zenit Gallery", "Tirana Youth Centre", "Friend's book house", "Hemingway", "E për7shme" and the "National Library".

The mayor of Tirana was the first to open the marathon with a reading of the book "Chronicle in Stone" by Ismail Kadare. Arta Marku chose to read a part from "The Fires of Autumn" by Irene Nemirovsky. Ben Andoni selected a translation from well-known Greek author Niko Kazanzaqi. Alda Bardhyli read from "Definition of Marie Gjoni's love", and Alfred Lela selected Spanish poems translated by Aurel Plasari.

During the two days, other guests and young people read parts from all different kinds of writings. In the frame of Literature as a Place of Memory, the department of Literature of the University of Tirana organized the meeting "Reading Kasëm Trebeshina", with participation of Anila Mullahi and moderation of Lili Sula. "Literature as a Place of Memory" included discussions and reading facts about the period of Communism. Minister of Culture Mirela Kumbaro also took part in the meeting.

In the second day, journalists Beti Njuma and Agim Baçi moderated a discussion on digital books with guests such as the creator of VolumiAudioLibra.com, Violeta Volumi, and the administrator of bukinist.al, Albert Gjoka. Furthermore, Tirana Reads 2016 dedicated a few hours to the International Day of Translation with a discussion by Diana Kastrati and Edmond Tupja. Two famous moderators of Top Channel TV, Eno Popi and Isli Islami, also joined the readings. Publishing house "Saras" presented the latest book by Mustafa Nano. In front of young people, Mr Nano read a piece from the book and discoursed about his old relationship with literature and writing.

IDMC would like to thank everyone who took part in this activity, in particular:

Mirela Kumbaro, Erion Veliaj, Alfred Lela, Arta Marku, Alda Bardhyli, Ben Andoni, Ylljet Aliçka, Vera Bekteshi, Krenar Zejno, Beti Njuma, Agim Baçi, Blendi Salaj, Violeta Volumi, Albert Gjoka, Mustafa Nano, Eno Popi, Isli Islami, Edmond Tupe, Diana Kastrati, Redjan Mulla, Eljan Tanini, Elona Çuliq, Lisiana Demiraj, Arti Lushi, and Gerhard Pregapuca.

AGENDA:

DAY 1

DAY 2

9:00 – 10:00

Opening ceremony – Discussions & readings

Venue: "Zenit" Gallery

BOOKS WITHOUT BESTSELLER APPEAL (DON'T) HAVE A CHANCE?!

Erion Veliaj, Mayor of Tirana
Arta Marku, TVSH
Alda Bardhyli, Gazeta Shqip
Ben Andoni, Gazeta Shqiptare
Alfred Lela (Moderator), Gazeta Mapo

LITERATURE AS A PLACE OF MEMORY

PART I: BANNED LITERATURE – TIRANA READS KASËM TREBESHINA

10:00 – 12:30

Discussion in panel

Welcome address

Dr. Jonila Godole, IDMC
Prof. As. Lili Sula, Department of Literature, UT

KASËM TREBESHIBA's PLACE IN ALBANIAN LITERATURE

Dr. Anila Mullahi, Department of Literature, UT
Prof. As. Lili Sula, Department of Literature, UT

12:30 – 14:00

Lunch and exchange

14:00 – 16:30

Workshop with students of literature

DISSIDENT LITERATURE IN THE ALBANIAN MEDIA BEFORE AND AFTER 1990

Moderator: Saimir Muzhaka, Journalist, Writer

PART II: LITERATURE AS A PLACE OF MEMORY

18:00 – 20:30

Discussion in panel, public readings

Welcome address

Dr. Jonila Godole, IDMC
Prof. Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi, Minister of Culture

AUTOBIOGRAPHIES AS A SOURCE TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE PAST

Vera Bekteshi, Writer (former persecutee)
Maks Velo, Shkrimtar (former persecutee)
Ylljet Aliçka, Writer and Filmmaker
Moderators: Dr. Jonila Godole & Krenar Zejno, Writer, Translator

20:30

Dinner

Thursday, 29 September

9:30 – 10:30

Panel discussions and readings

Venue: Tirana Youth Centre

HOW MY READING CHANGED OVER TIME – E-BOOKS

Beti Njuma, Top Channel TV, co-creator of Facebook page "Mbi libra"
Violeta Volumi, creator of volumiaudiolibra.com, where books are listened to, not read
Albert Gjoka, online book platform bukinist.al
Agim Baçi (Moderator), Literary critic

Readings by panelists and guests

12:00 – 13:00

Public readings

Venue: "Friend's Book House"

Special guest:

Mustafa Nano to read pieces from his book. Participants to read their own selections.
Alda Bardhyli (Moderator), "Saras" literary magazine

16:00 – 17:00

Public readings

Venue: "Hemingway"

Special guests, young writers:

Elona Çuliq, Arti Lushi, Gerhard Pregapuca, Lisiana F. Demiraj to read pieces from their books. Participants to read their own selections.
Eljan Tanini (Moderator), Journalist, Author

17:30 – 18:30

Public readings

Venue: "E për7shme"

Special guests:

Eno Popi & Isli Islami (journalists at Top Channel TV) to read with participants.

19:00 – 10:30

Panel discussions and readings

Venue: National Library

NO JOKE! HUMOR IN TRANSLATED LITERATURE

September 30 is known as the International Day of Translation – Death of St. Jerome who translated the Bible into Latin. During this day, various meetings and activities are organized worldwide, motivated by the art of translation and interpretation.

Conversation with translators:

Edmond Tupja & Diana Kastrati
Blendi Salaj (Moderator), Club FM-TV

Friday, 30 September

Organizer:

Institute for Democracy, Media & Culture

Partners:

Konrad Adenauer Foundation

Ministry of Culture

Literary Evenings with Austrian Writers

#TiranaREADS Austrian Literature

23‒25 MAY 2018, TIRANA

"Literary Evenings with Austrian Writers" was organized on 23–25 May 2018 by Institute for Democracy, Media & Culture in cooperation with the Austrian Embassy and the support of Raiffeisen Bank,
as part of the Austria–Albania Cultural Year's activities.

Information about the activity:

Program

FIRST NIGHT, 23 MAY 2018
"Literary Evenings with Austrian Writers" under the Austria–Albania Cultural Year.

Institute for Democracy, Media & Culture in cooperation with the Austrian Embassy in Tirana on 23 May 2018 hosted the "Austrian Literature Nights" under the theme "Tirana Reads". This activity, which comes within the framework of the Austrian–Albania Cultural Year concluded its first night successfully with the participation of many young people in the "Goethe" hall of the "Kujtim Spahivogli" Experimental Theater. The first night guests included three Austrian authors Andrea Grill, Klemens Renoldner and Christina Maria Landerl, and Albanian author Agron Tufa.
Director of IDMC, Dr. Jonila Godole, in her welcome address briefly explained the purpose of the activity, how much literature has been transformed over the years, the crisis of modern literature, and what influential authors bring to the audience.
Present at the event opening was also the Austrian ambassador to Albania, Dr. Johann Sattler, who talked about the synergy created by the exchange of views between Austria and Albania authors and translators.
The attempts to free literature from totalitarian structures were the focus of Agron Tufa's address. "The Albanian writer is very stubborn and closely connected to one's roots, even when experimenting. And if there is something that makes them similar to foreign writers, that must be the power of collective dreams," he noted. Andrea Grill said she always thinks about her readers when writing. "When I write I have to think about the audience I am writing for so I can connect with them," she said while adding that technology will change literature in the future just like everything else.
In the second part of the activity, Klemens Renoldner read a fragment from his newest novel that is expected to be published in 2019, "Cape of Good Hope", which recounts a child's memory of his grandfather and talks about education and morality, the two poles, yes and no, tolerance and authority etc.

SECOND NIGHT, 24 MAY 2018
Second night of "Literary Evenings with Austrian Writers".

The second night's special guest, author Andrea Grill, was involved in a discussion with the audience moderated by Lazër Stani. Mrs. Grill revealed her relationship with Albania and Albanian writers had greatly influenced her writings. She read excerpts from her novel "The Yellow Uncle – A Family Album".

"Literary Quartet" was the highlight of the second night. Conceived as a round table with four literary critics from Albania – Jonila Godole, Agim Baçi, Alda Bardhyli and Lili Sula – it introduced to the audience four Austrian authors published in Albanian language, such as Elfriede Jelinek (Women as Lovers), Rainer Maria Rilke (Duino Elegies), Stefan Zweig (Mendel the Bibliophile), and Andrea Grill (Tränenlachen). Each participant shared with one other their thoughts on the books and discussed the different points of view for each work.

THIRD NIGHT, 25 MAY 2018
"Literary Evenings with Austrian Writers" 2018 completed successfully.

The third and last night of the "Literary Evenings with Austrian Writers" finished on 25 May 2018. The first part of the event was dedicated to Austrian author Christina Maria Landerl. In a conversation with translator Edlira Agolli, Mrs. Landerl shared with the audience moments of her life and work, how she had entered the world of literature. She said she drew inspiration from her native country of Austria, and one of her stories entitled "Time to Leave Town" was dedicated to that.
The remaining duration of the activity was provided to renowned author and journalist, Stefan Zweig. The audience gained an impression of his lifestyle, creativity, the central messages he conveyed, what other authors influenced him, his philosophy of life, and the role of literature in society. All these were presented by the director of "Stefan Zweig" Centre in Salzburg, Klemens Renoldner, under the moderation of Albanian author and literary critic, Agim Baçi.

Program:

1st NIGHT

2nd NIGHT

3rd NIGHT

Place: Goethe Hall, "Kujtim Spahivogli" Experimental Theatre, Tirana

18:00 – 18:15

Opening remarks

Dr. Jonila Godole, Executive Director of Institute for Democracy, Media & Culture (IDMC)
Dr. Johann Sattler, Ambassador of Austria to Albania

18:15 – 19:00

Austrian Literature in Nowadays

Forum of Austrian and Albanian writers:
Klemens Renoldner, Andrea Grill, Christina Maria Landerl, Jonila Godole, Agron Tufa

19:15 – 20:00

Reading and discussion with author Klemens Renoldner

Moderator:
Marsela Lika

Wednesday, 23 May

Place: Goethe Hall, "Kujtim Spahivogli" Experimental Theatre, Tirana

18:00 – 18:45

Reading and discussion with author Andrea Grill

Moderator:
Lazër Stani

19:00 – 20:00

Literary Quartet: #TiranaReadsAustrianLiterature!

Four books from Austrian authors are discussed by:
Agim Baçi (Stefan Zweig – Mendel the Bibliophile), Jonila Godole (Rainer Maria Rilke – Duino Elegies), Alda Bardhyli (Elfriede Jelinek – Women as Lovers), Lili Sula (Andrea Grill – Tränenlachen)