As part of the Leipzig Book Fair, which will be held from March 21-24 this year, the book “Mbyllur për pushime” by author Stefan Çapaliku will also be featured.
Translated into German under the title “Tirana. Ein kurzer Traum” (Tirana. A short dream), the book will be discussed on March 22 at the Traduki kafana, with the conversation moderated by Shqipe Sulejmani.
Çapaliku’s work, translated from Albanian into German by Zuzana Finger, is part of the Traduki project, which connects Southeastern Europe with the literature of German-speaking countries, as well as the literature of Southeastern European countries among themselves through books, translations, and literary projects.
The presentation at the Leipzig Book Fair, one of the largest book fairs, is an important event. Stefan Çapaliku’s book deals with Albania in World War II; first, the occupation by fascist Italy, a shock to the Albanians, as their relationship with the neighboring state had been quite friendly for centuries. Then, in 1943, Italy switches sides to the allies, Italian soldiers either flee or join Albanian partisans. They fight against the German occupiers and participate in hiding and rescuing Jews from the Germans.
Since 1994, the Leipzig Book Fair has awarded prizes to participants. The Leipzig Book Award for European Understanding is one of the most prestigious literary awards in Germany. It is awarded every year with a value of 20,000 euros.
