He gained worldwide fame in the mid-1960s: Who is Ismail Kadare?

Kadare was born on January 28, 1936 in Ergirikasrı (Gjinokastër), Albania. He spent his childhood here. He studied literature at the University of Tirana. He stayed in Moscow for three years for his postgraduate studies at the Gorky Institute. On his return to Albania, he started working as a journalist. In this way, he took the first step in his literary career.

He was introduced to Shakespeare's works in his youth. He himself states that his passion for writing began after reading Shakespeare.

Shakespeare from Kadare's library

"General of the Dead Army", which he wrote when he was only 27 years old, is his first published novel. This novel carried Kadare's name outside his country. The story of a general who, years after World War II, must find the bones of soldiers who died in Albania during the war and take them to Italy. It reveals the absurd aspects of war.

Ismail Kadare (born 28 January 1936) is an Albanian novelist, poet, essayist, screenwriter, and playwright. He is a leading international literary figure and intellectual. He focused on poetry until the publication of his first novel, The General of the Dead Army, which made him famous internationally.

He lived under the Communist dictatorship of Enver Hoxha for more than forty years. In order to escape the extreme censorship applied at that time, Kadare used various literary devices such as allegory, satire, historical distance, and mythology in his works. We also see this situation in The General of the Dead Army. He conveys his impressions and criticisms about his country through a foreigner, an Italian general.

Although his works describe events that took place in different geographies in ancient times, they are actually a reflection of recent history.

Kadare became the first winner of the Man Booker International Prize in 2005. In 2020, he received the Neustadt International Literature Award.

The author's house in Ergirikasrı (Gjinokastër) is open to visitors. In addition, the house where he stayed in Tirana for a while presents sections from the author's life. Here you can see the typewriter on which Kadare wrote his works, his chair, his books, and some special items from his life.

İsmail Kadare left Albania in 1990 and settled in Paris. He lives in the Latin neighborhood with his wife and daughter. He visits his country from time to time and meets with his readers.