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Skënder Rusi "returns" to readers with the poetry volume "Return the Air"

2026-06-01 11:38:00, Kulturë CNA

Skënder Rusi "returns" to readers with the poetry volume

Two years after his passing, the renowned Korçë poet Skënder Rusi symbolically returned to readers through the promotion of the bilingual poetry volume "Kthema Ajrin - Red?-mi Aerul", a collection of selected poems translated into Romanian by the renowned Albanologist and translator Marius Dobrescu.

The activity organized at the Digital Arts Gallery in Korça brought together family, friends, scholars, artists and literature lovers, who remembered the figure and work of the poet who remains one of the most beloved names in Albanian poetry.

Skënder Rusi "returns" to readers with the poetry volume

On this second anniversary of the poet's passing, his memory was accompanied not by sadness, but by the celebration of a work that continues to live and inspire. Through this publication, Skënder Rus' poetry crosses linguistic boundaries and reaches Romanian readers, bringing closer his poetic world, filled with love, longing, feeling and humanity.

Skënder Rusi "returns" to readers with the poetry volume

The poet's son, Eris Rusi, said that the book represents the return of Skënder Rusi through what was the essence of his life, poetry.

"In May of two years ago, Skënder Rusi finally departed for heaven. On May 31, 2026, two years later, he returns with what is his essence: his soul poured into poetry. In a collection, in a bilingual volume, Romanian-Albanian, translated by the master Marius Dobrescu, under 'Onufri' publications, with a meaningful book titled 'We Returned the Air'. We need air to come and become part of our breathing through beauty and poetry. My father has always believed in beauty, he has always believed in poetry as a cure for everything that sometimes makes life difficult in this world. And today, it is not a day of consolation and pain on this biennial, it is a day of celebration for all readers and poetry lovers, because Skënder Rusi comes out with his new book," said Rusi.

The participants in the event brought back memories of their collaborations and friendship with the poet, while various artists performed his verses, creating a special emotional atmosphere. For many of them, Skënder Rusi remains an irreplaceable figure in the cultural life of Korça. The director of the “Andon Zako Çajupi” Theater, Zamira Kita, said that the poet continues to be present in the memory of the city and in the daily lives of those who have known or read him.

Skënder Rusi "returns" to readers with the poetry volume

"Please remove the cherry cream from your lips, so that I can feel you when I kiss you. Whoever crosses himself with the poet, either becomes a Christ or a cinder. This is true, today we remember Skënder Rus after two years. We have remembered him every day of his life because we often read his poems, we often meet with Risi, with Egla, we enjoy a coffee, we bring his memories. Skënder Rusi cannot be forgotten because he was the soul of this city. And you know that his poetry holds a lot of love for man, love for parents, hometown, homeland, nature, for everything that is needed, or that should be needed. That is why we remember Skënder with great longing today. It seems to me that even the pain has gone away because we have him very often near us. Reading his poems we do not feel pain, but we feel that great love that Skënder has constantly conveyed in his verses. It is very beautifully organized today. We will bring the video clips of "In his poems, we will bring his poetry alive with Blerta Belliu and Mario Çaçi, of course me too because I will never miss the evenings or afternoons dedicated to Skënder Rusi," Kita said.

This presentation was accompanied by recitations, artistic interpretations, and audiovisual materials based on the poet's creativity, turning the activity into a special homage to his life and work.

Skënder Rusi "returns" to readers with the poetry volume

Through translation into Romanian, Skënder Rusi's poetry gains a new space of communication with readers outside Albania, proving that true art knows no borders. Two years after his physical departure, Skënder Rusi continues to live in his verses and in the memory of readers. The book "Kthema Ajrin" comes as a testament to this permanent presence, restoring the poetic voice of one of the most beloved authors of Korça and Albanian literature to the public. /CNA