Statement of Solidarity of the “House of Contemporary Literature and Art” – Durrës
WE OPPOSE THE EXCLUSION OF POETRY, THE SHORT STORY, AND CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FROM THE NATIONAL EVALUATIONS OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR THE BOOK AND READING
Solidarity of the writers and artists of Durrës with the national protest of the Albanian literary community, in defense of legality, the dignity of Albanian literature, and its fundamental genres
The Association “House of Contemporary Literature and Art”, representing the writers and artists of the city of Durrës, expresses its full solidarity with the protest of Albanian poets, writers, and scholars against the unlawful and anti-national practices pursued by the National Center for the Book and Reading, an institution under the authority of the Ministry of Culture.
The arbitrary disqualification of the fundamental genres of Albanian literature, such as poetry, the short story, and children’s literature, from the annual evaluations constitutes a grave violation of the principles of equality, fair competition, and the constitutional obligation of the state to develop and protect national culture, as also emphasized in the Administrative Request of a Normative Nature addressed to the Ministry of Culture.
Our Association fully joins the demands for the annulment of the National Literature Awards 2024, for the suspension and legal regulation of the title “Poet Laureate”, and for the adoption of a binding, transparent, and impartial regulation for literary juries, in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, the legislation in force, and international standards.
In support of the proposals expressed by the initiating group and of the protest petition, we inform the public that the “House of Contemporary Literature and Art” will join the protest rally to be held in Tirana on Friday, 23 January 2026, as well as the signing of the petition addressed to the Ministry of Culture, in defense of the dignity of Albanian literature, professional autonomy, and the cultural public interest.
For the “House of Contemporary Literature and Art” – Durrës
Chairman
Agim Bajrami, poet
Durrës, 19 January 2026
