“I should have come earlier because I have Albanian blood from my grandmother, on my mother’s side,” said Pamuk.
By ervin lisaku
TIRANA, May 19 – Turkish Nobel prize-winning writer Orhan Pamuk has revealed his Albanian descent from his mother’s side during his first visit to Albania to promote his newly translated autobiographical book “Istanbul: Memories and the City.”
Speaking during a meeting with Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Pamuk said he felt happy he was visiting a friend country, regretting that he had not been able to come earlier.
“I should have come earlier because I have Albanian blood from my grandmother, on my mother’s side,” said Pamuk.
Pamuk was also awarded the Doctor Honoris Causa title by the State University of Tirana for his contribution in literature, social emancipation and dialogue between civilizations.
“Today is a special day. Today, we proclaim renowned writer Orhan Pamuk as a distinguished member of our university,” rector Dhori Kule said at the ceremony.
Orhan Pamuk also held meetings with President Bamir Topi and Parliament Speaker Jozefina Topalli.
Pamuk’s visit to Albania continued with a visit to the UNSECO World Heritage site of Berat, a town which the Turkish writer had expressed special interest,
“The Snow,” “The White Castle,” “The Silent House,” “The New Life” are some of Pamuk’s books that have been translated into Albanian becoming best-sellers.
Pamuk won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2006.
