Renowned Albanian novelist Ismail Kadare has passed away at the age of 88 after being rushed to a hospital in Tirana, according to his publishing editor. Kadare was widely regarded as a possible contender for the Nobel Literature Prize, and his death was mourned by Albanians and people around the world. Albanian President Bajram Begaj described Kadare as a genius of letters and a spiritual emancipator, noting his importance both within Albania and beyond.
Kadare’s editor, Bujar Hudhri, confirmed that the author died on Monday morning after being taken to the hospital following a cardiac arrest. Kadare gained international recognition with the publication of his novel “The General of the Dead Army” in 1963, during the communist regime of Enver Hoxha in Albania. He later fled to France in 1990, shortly before the fall of the communist regime.
In recognition of his literary achievements, French President Emmanuel Macron awarded Kadare the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor title during a visit to Tirana. France had previously honored him as a foreign associate of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, as well as Commander of the Legion of Honor. Kadare’s works, which spanned over 80 novels, plays, screenplays, poetry, essays, and story collections, have been translated into 45 languages and earned him numerous international accolades.
The passing of Ismail Kadare marks the end of an era for Albanian literature and leaves a significant void in the world of modern literature.