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Welcome to my blog. I document my adventures reading the world.

Albania: The Three-Arched Bridge (Ismail Kadare, trans. John Hodgson)

Albania: The Three-Arched Bridge (Ismail Kadare, trans. John Hodgson)

One of the most well-known Albania novelists, Ismail Kadare (b. 1936) focused primarily on poetry until the publication of his first novel, The General of the Dead Army. He has won numerous prizes for his work, including the Prix mondial Cino del Duca, the Man Booker International Prize, the Prince of Asturias Award of Arts, and the Jerusalem Prize. His works have been published in around 45 languages. In addition to his literary work, he was offered the Presidency of Albania multiple times during the 1990s and 2000s, but has always refused.

Background: Part of the Roman Empire, Albania was transferred to Byzantine control from the 4th to 7th centuries, suffering constantly from Barbarian invasions. By the 13th century, the Venetian and Serbian Empires had taken areas into their control. The first Kingdom of Albania was established in 1272, but the Serbian Empire gained back their control by the mid 14th century until the Ottoman Empire invaded and took control over the various principalities (this is when the book takes place). Throughout the following century, revolts against the Ottomans occasionally resulted in some victories under the banner of Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu. During Ottoman rule, many Albanians became Muslim, although the country was a mix of Muslims, Catholics, Orthodox, and Jews. From the 1870s until 1912, the Rilindja Kombëtare (National Renaissance) began, eventually leading to the Albanians declaring their independence, although things were not particularly secure for a few decades as the the region shifted from principality status, to a republic, to a monarchy (1928), to a protectorate of Italy during WWII. After the war, Albania became a Communist state, during which time quality of life improved as ancient mosques, libraries, and manuscripts were destroyed. In 1991 the Albanian Republic was re-founded, although the Communist party still held a fair amount of parliamentary power. 

The novel itself is an expansion and alternative version of sorts of an ancient Albania legend, the "Legjenda e Rozafes." Somewhat disturbing, the the story tells of a small town at the edge of Albanian territory during the Middle Ages that is situated on the Via Egantia (a Roman road from the 2nd century BC). A Catholic monk, Gjon, tells the story, recounting how the decision to build the bridge over the river Ujana e Keqe was made, and the way in which the building of the bridge is almost a cursed project. It is a symbol of the end of an era; control of the road is becoming privatized, but also the land is now more accessible. It is a symbol of conquering the natural world rather than submitting to it. Throughout the book, the river itself takes on a personified quality, acting out, rejecting and hurting those who try to mess with it, refusing to be pinned down and controlled by human beings. At the same time, a political undercurrent moves. The area now known as Albani is filled with squabbling principalities, small-time rulers and tribes that form ever-shifting alliances, and, although they will not be able to defeat the encroaching Ottoman Empire without uniting, the conclusion of the book indicates that unity will likely remain elusive.

At times creepy, at times very poignant, I recommend this book as a look into the early history of Albania, although perhaps not for someone who gets upset by violence easily. It left me very curious about Albanian culture and with a desire to read something else by Kadare, perhaps taking place in a more modern period. 

Algeria: Dispute over a Very Italian Piglet (Amara Lakhous, trans. Ann Goldstein)

Algeria: Dispute over a Very Italian Piglet (Amara Lakhous, trans. Ann Goldstein)

Dagestan: The Mountain and the Wall (Alisa Ganieva, trans. Carol Apollonio)

Dagestan: The Mountain and the Wall (Alisa Ganieva, trans. Carol Apollonio)