Adem Istrefi, writer, died in Tirana. He was born in Strelle in Upper Peja, in 1942. After finishing primary school, at the age of 14, he escaped to Albania. After secondary education, he studied language and literature at the University of Tirana. For a long time he worked in the editorial office of the “Libri Shkollor” (“School book”) in Tirana, later editor in the “Nëntori” (“November”) magazine. He wrote poetry and prose, but also dealt with criticism and literary journalism. He has published poetry books: “Net kosovare” (“Kosovar nights”)(1967), “Mëngjesi i së nesërmes” (“The morning of tomorrow”)(1969), “Dritaret e fjalës” (“Windows of words”) (1972), “Gjerdan lirie” (“Freedom necklace”)(1977), “Një zog midis meje dhe diellit” (“A bird between me and the sun”)( 1989), “Arti i vdekjes bukur” (“The art of dying beautifully”) (2007), etc.; then the novels: “Lëshoma hisen e diellit” (1984), “Lemeria” (“The Fright”) (1992), “Argatët e dreqit” (“Damned workers”)(1997), “Askundia” (“Nowhere”)(2004); the books of stories: “S’mund t’i lija pa folë” (“I couldn’t leave them without speaking”)(1988) and “Nganjëherë i bëja me sy vdekjes” (“Sometimes I eyed death”) (2004). (In the photo: Adem Istrefi)
Text: Encyclopedic Dictionary of Kosovo – Vol. I , Academy of Sciences and Arts of Kosovo, Prishtina, 2018, page 698.
Photo: © https://www.kultplus.com/lajme/vdes-shkrimtari-adem-istrefi
Graphic processing: AHCF
