Albanian author Ismail Kadare, renowned for his works of literature, passed away in Tirana at the age of 88. His death was confirmed by his publishing editor Bujar Hudhri, who stated that he passed away on Monday morning after being rushed to the hospital due to a cardiac arrest.
Kadare was widely recognized as a possible contender for the Nobel Literature Prize and had received numerous international accolades throughout his career. He gained fame with the publication of “The General of the Dead Army” in 1963, during a time when Albania was under communist rule. After leaving Albania in the fall of 1990, Kadare resided in France until his recent return to Tirana.
During his time in France, Kadare was honored with various titles and awards. French President Emmanuel Macron bestowed upon him the title of Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor during a visit to Albania last year. Additionally, he had previously been recognized as a foreign associate of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences and as Commander of the Legion of Honor.
Kadare’s extensive body of work spanned over 80 novels, plays, screenplays, poetry collections, essays, and story collections translated into 45 languages. His contributions to literature have left an indelible mark on Albania and beyond.
