Albanian Writer Fatoss Kongoli was presented on the Second Friday literature readings in the Regional Library
Friday literature readings is an interesting new initiative of “Sava Dobroplodni” Regional Library that started in January and has become a real intellectual feast for connoisseurs of valuable literature. The ambition of the organizers of these literature meetings, held every last Friday of every month, is to present famous writers from Bulgaria and abroad and their works that specify the different literature style of the new century. This ambition gets worthy attention and support.
The Albanian writer Fatoss Kongoli was a guest of the Second literature hall held on 24th February 2006, a winner of “Balkanika” literature prize /2002/. The author was in Bulgaria to present his novel “Damocles’ Dream” in Bulgarian language. The creative work of the author was presented by the writer Nikolay Stoayanov, a director of “Biblioteka 48” Publishing house and a chairman of “Balkanika” foundation. Among the guests was Igor Chipev, a director of the National Book Center at the Ministry of culture and a member of the international jury for “Balkanika” foundation’s prizes.
“Balkanika” prize was founded in 1996 by Publishing houses from six Balkan countries: “Cultura” /Macedonia/, “Biblioteka 48” /Bulgaria/, “Kedoss” /Greece/, “Fonno” /Turkey/, “Narodna kniga” /Serbia and Montegro/, “Orient oksident” /Romania/. Other winners of the prize are: David Alvahari /Serbia/ for his novel “Bait” in 1997, Anton Donchev for his novel “Queer knight of sacred book” in 1998, Nikoss Bakolass /Greece/ for “World of honour” – 1999, Vasile Andru /Romania/ for “Heaven Birds”- 2000, Venko Andonovski /Macedonia/ for “The Hub of the Universe”– 2001, Aifer Tung /Turkey/ for “These things from 70’s” – 2003, Dimitar Shumanliev for “Short stories in love” – 2004.
Prized works are translated in all Balkan languages as well as in French and English as in that way the processes of cultural integration, overcoming the isolation and popularizing Balkan literature are stimulated.
Fatoss Kongoli was born in 1944 in the town of Elbasan, central Albania. Graduated mathematics, he specialized 3 years in China. He worked as a teacher for some time, after that he settled down in Tirana and worked as a journalist and a publisher. He was an editor of “Drita” literature magazine and an editor in “Naim Fasheri” Publishing House; he was a journalist in “RD” magazine. He seriously started writing after 1990. His first novel was published in 1992. His second novel won the prestige Albanian literature prize for the best novel in 1994. For a short time he published some prose books translated in more than 15 languages. Fatoss Kongoli is one of the most published Albanian authors abroad at present. His novel “Damocles’ Dream” is his first book translated in Bulgarian. In the novel the author tells readers about the generation that is growing complicated by the pressure of former Eastern tyranny on the Balkan Peninsula. Its style can compare with the best works-masterpieces of magical realism.
Sliven famous authors, intellectuals, journalists, and readers had the opportunity to discuss matters, concerned in the novel with the author during the meeting. Fatos Kongoli ingratiated the audience with his spontaneity, intellect, talent, subtle sense of humor sense and cordiality.
The novel “Damocles’ Dream” from Fatoss Kongoli is available to readers in Hall 2 of the library.
