SEEU convened an International Scientific Conference on Creative and Critical Approaches to Literature

On Friday (25 April) at South East European University, Tetovo, a two-day International Scientific Conference on the topic of Creative and Critical Approaches to Literature began.

The President of the University Board, Prof. Dr. Dennis Farrington declared the Conference open, while the Rector’s Advisor, Prof. Demush Bajrami delivered the keynote address. “We cannot hide our joy during these two days that among us are some of the great writers of Albanian literature, who currently are honouring us with their works; the echoes of these works go everywhere where there is a need to talk as a society and as a nation”, said Bajrami. The Dean of the Faculty of Languages, Cultures and Communication, Prof. Dr. Benjamin Keatinge, greeted the conference.

The Chair of the organizing council of the Conference, Doc. Dr. Vlera Ejupi, said this conference gathered prominent heads of Albanian and foreign literature, and would provide a forum for debating on various topics of Albanian reality, starting from the beginnings of Albanian and world literature at the same time, from the past until today.

Writer and university professor Agron Tufa spoke about the thematic importance of the conference, and emphasized the role of literature and of the writer today, and of the challenges of confrontation with the ideology of the time.

During the Conference the book “Jeniçeri i fundit” (The Last Janissary), by Jusuf Buxhovi was promoted. Speaking about the book, the author said that he is feeling good in this important European University, where famous writers and publicists have promoted their works. The book "Jeniçeri i fundit "deals with a particular historical moment of the Ottoman Empire and in particular the last moments of the destruction of the military formation Janissaries. “The interaction between Janissaries and Albanians is very noticeable, because Albanians have created this powerful military line-up and through this formation have managed to climb the peaks of leading positions in the Ottoman hierarchy”, said Buxhovi. The literary critic Ramadan Musliu has described the book as ‘a novel – catharsis’ and ‘a novel for us and for history that is repeated’.

The conference was also privileged to open an exhibition by the famous Albanian painter Zake Prelvukaj.