TIRANA, Sept. 11 – Internationally renowned Albanian writer Ismail Kadare has been honored by Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga with the Independence Order for the promotion of Albanian cultural and literature and his contribution to Kosovo’s efforts for freedom and independence.
Kadare was handed the order last weekend in Tirana by the Kosovo president who was on an official visit in Albania.
“I had the honor as part of my official visit to Albania to meet the great writer Ismail Kadare whom I decorated with the Independence Order for his extraordinary contribution in the promotion of Albanian culture and literature and the great contribution in Kosovo’s efforts for freedom, independence and sovereign state,” wrote Jahjaga in social networks.
Last May Kadare was honored with a flag ceremony at the United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC.
Earlier this year, Kadare, 79, was awarded the Jerusalem Prize for his works which best express and promote the idea of the “freedom of the individual in society.”
An internationally renowned poet, novelist and essayist, Ismail Kadare has been perennial candidate for the Nobel Prize for literature. His international acclaim for his works peaked in 2005 when he won the Man Booker International Prize.
Kadare, known for writing about Albania’s totalitarian government, has had his works translated into over 30 languages, the most famous of which is “The General of the Dead Army.”
