Skënder Rusi returns to Devoll through poetry

2025-07-16 09:53:00, Kulturë CNA

In honor of the famous poet and lyricist from Devoll, Skënder Rusi, the Devoll Municipality organized a literary evening on the anniversary of his birth.

Although the poet is no longer physically among us, his works and verses remain alive in the memories of the readers and the community that knew him closely.

The event, held in his birthplace, brought together family, friends, and poetry lovers, who brought personal memories and interpretations of the author's work. At the center of this evening was his latest poetic volume entitled "My Days Without You", which was published after his death, as a testament to the sensitivity and finesse of his pen.

Eris Rusi, the poet's son, said that this birthday, although celebrated in absentia, is a day of joy, as the poet returns through his work to the birthplace that he loved so much.

"This July 15th coincides with the birthday of the poet Skënder Rusi, a birthday that is celebrated today in the poet's physical absence, but it is a celebration because the poet comes with the poems of his latest newly published volume, 'My Days Without You', to his birthplace, to his Devoll, with well-wishers and friends who he has had close to him throughout his life.

I believe that the best way to convey emotions, memories, and love for the man who is no longer here can only be through activities that are essentially the poet's passion and work. Tonight is an evening that brings together poetry lovers, friends of the poet Skënder Rusi, people who have managed to find a part of their own existence in his poems.

"The Devoll Municipality enables the artistic life of the poet Skënder Rusi, so I am grateful to all the organizers, to all those present, to all the readers who keep Skënder alive in his literary life."

Pedagogue Ilir Shyta shared his memories with the poet, which began in the Korça library, where Rusi often shared his newest verses, at a time when his poetry was just beginning to take shape.

"Poets' birthdays always remain interesting, even after they leave for the next world. Such is the case of a great and valuable lyricist like Skënder Rusi. Skënder was born a lyric poet and naturally remains an interesting figure. I know him through work. I always went to the Korça library to get the books I needed and he always showed me the poems he wrote. Verses were not lacking in those rare meetings, but they remain unforgettable meetings because they inaugurated the start and journey of that new poetry, which would later touch the hands and eyes of viewers when it was published in books."

While the Mayor of Devoll, Eduard Duro, underlined the importance of institutional support to keep alive the poetic legacy of such figures.

"It was a beautiful literary activity in memory of the anniversary of the birth of the prominent writer and lyricist of Devoll, Skënder Rusi. It is one of these activities that make the poet's work and lyrics immortal and it is up to us as the municipality of Devoll to exercise the opportunities we have, so that the work of the poet known as Skënder Rusi, who in the wake of other great poets, remains in the memory of all generations and as a part of the studies of Devoll's pupils and students."

Skënder Rusi passed away, but not from poetry. He continues to speak with the voice of his verses, which today touch the hearts of readers just as they once did. The evening in Devoll was not just a commemoration, but a lively encounter with the soul of a poet who continues to live in words, in the memory and in the love of those who read him. Because poets never leave, they remain where their spirit is written, in poetry./ CNA