“The newness that we find in Gjekë Marinaj’s poetry is a civilized verse dressed in art. By a civilized verse, I mean refilling the old poetic vessel of poetry
with a new brew. This “new wine” is a production of ancient fruit grafted with his multi-leveled erudition. The poet dares to mix in his verse an antique
culture - biblical and contemporary - with hidden knowns and unknowns of the genetics of humanity’s mysterious cosmos with that of concrete and
abstract, freedom and nature.”
—Vangjush Ziko, Z. Shqiptare
with a new brew. This “new wine” is a production of ancient fruit grafted with his multi-leveled erudition. The poet dares to mix in his verse an antique
culture - biblical and contemporary - with hidden knowns and unknowns of the genetics of humanity’s mysterious cosmos with that of concrete and
abstract, freedom and nature.”
—Vangjush Ziko, Z. Shqiptare
UTD NEWS
In 1990, Gjekë Marinaj was fleeing through the mountains from his home country of Albania into the
former Yugoslavia. He was being pursued by Albanian secret police with tracker dogs. Marinaj’s
crime: writing a poem. www.utdallas.edu/news/2011/6/23-11471_Professor-and-Student-Cross-the-
Balkans-for-Poetry_article.html
GJEKE HAS RETURNED FROM EUROPE...
Gjeke has recently returned from his travels throughout Europe in which he completed research for
his dissertation, as well as participated in various interviews and literary related events. Gjeke’s
travels allotted the opportunity to spend time in numerous countries including Albania, Montenegro,
Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Russia, Romania and Bosnia. Noted below is a culmination of some of
the information resulted from his appearances on television shows, newspaper coverage and other
events of importance.
TELEVISION
Gjeke had the wonderful fortune of participating in various forms of television coverage during the
duration of his travels, of which he was accompanied by Frederick Turner. Coverage included expert
interviews with other literary and academic figures, personal interviews and literary-related shows.
In June, Marinaj and Turner were hosted by TV Klan where they participated in a 153-minute
segment, alongside other experts in epic poetry, discussing literature, poetry and translation of
such. Other appearances included segments on TV BOIN, TV ORBIT, Planet TV, Ora News, Hayat
TV, UFO, and TVSH. Interviews consisted of lengths varying from 38-153 minutes, respectfully.
NEWSPAPERS
Media coverage continued during the duration of Marinaj and Turners European travels. Numerous
newspaper articles were dedicated to the work of the authors, including coverage on several front
page papers, such as the all-important, Nacional. The newspapers Express and Shqip also
provided exquisitely gracious coverage, as well as Koha Javore, which wonderfully delivered a book
review.
Content discussed included interviews with Gjeke regarding his personal life, with emphasis on his
time spent since leaving his home country of Albania. Coverage was also provided on the books-
Sung Across the Shoulder: Heroic Poetry of Illyria and The Undiscovered Country. Subsequently,
book reviews were also included, notably in such papers as Mapo.
EVENTS
Albania- Hotel Tirana
In May, Marinaj and Turner traveled to the Hotel Tirana International in Tirana, Albania. Marinaj and
Turner were respectfully invited by the NACIONAL Publishing House to make two book
presentations: Sung Across the Shoulder: Heroic Poetry of Illyria and The Undiscovered Country.
Upon arrival, Gjeke was humbled by the large crowd of readers, authors, literary greats, politicians
and authors he encountered. Because the main room of which Gjeke was to speak reached capacity
so quickly, a projector screen had to be constructed in a subsequent room in order to accommodate
the large amount of people that graciously attended the event. Gjeke was moved by the amount of
support in attendance, including that of professors and students from major universities, which had
traveled as far as The University of Tetova.
MONTENEGRO- HOUSE OF CULTURE
Invited by Dr. Lukë Gjokaj, Gjekë Marinaj and Frederick Turner made two presentations in
Montenegro- Sung Across the Shoulder: Heroic Poetry of Illyria and The Undiscovered Country- at the
House of Culture. This event generated a modest crowd, and was also accompanied by city
students. The students had the opportunity to recite poems, and also made book comments during
the duration of the presentation.
KOSOVO- KLIN
In May, Gjekë Marinaj and Frederick Turner provided two book presentations- Sung Across the
Shoulder: Heroic Poetry of Illyria and The Undiscovered Country- in the Meeting Room of the Kuvendi
Komunal of Kline. Invitation to the writers was extended by the society of writers "Vorea Ujko" and the
Regional Cultural Directorate of the City of Kline. This specific event reached capacity and consisted
of such celebratory elements as live music and gifts of books by local writers.
Gjeke was overwhelmed by the graciousness and outpouring of support by this community and
would also like to make specific mention of one gift in particular, presented by the sensational artist,
Idriz Berisha .
Berisha, who Gjeke calls "the contemporary Picasso of Kosovo" presented Marinaj and Turner with
two original, abstract paintings. Marinaj’s painting was deemed by Berisha as the “Old Song.” The
painting implements many of the traditional elements in literary metaphors of the Albanian epic
poetry. The unexpected gift was graciously accepted by Marinaj who called it “the best gift I have ever
gotten in my professional career.”
SUNG ACROSS THE SHOULDER: HEROIC POETRY OF ILLYRIA
Sung Across the Shoulder: Heroic Poetry of Illyria, is now available directly through the publisher, at
amazon.com or Barnes & Noble bookstores:
In the tradition of Francis James Child’s collection of British oral poetry in the nineteenth century and
Alan Lomax’s collection of American folk ballads in the twentieth, this book is an anthology of
Albanian oral poetry in translation. It was recorded live, mostly in the presence of the co-translator
Gjeke Marinaj, and mostly in the traditional mountain villages of Malësia e Malë in northern Albania.
It was then translated directly from the acoustic recording by Marinaj and Frederick Turner. Turner,
the other co-translator, rendered the verse in the same metrical forms as the original. The poems
are arranged under the headings: patriotic songs; pastorals; heroic tales; the epic matter of Muji;
courtship, flirtation, and love; marriage songs; spells, charms, and games; Hymns and rituals; and
philosophy. The anthology includes an introductory essay by Turner and a scholarly background
essay by Marinaj, with brief biographical sketches of the performers, including photographs.
THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY
The Undiscovered Country is now available for purchase. Copies may be obtained directly through
the publisher, or (soon) by visiting local Barnes & Noble bookstores and amazon.com:
This book deals in poetic and narrative terms with perhaps the largest question in human life: what if
we survive our own death? Would an afterlife rectify the tragic injustice of life, or render all of the
moral, aesthetic and intellectual content of our lives meaningless? Composed in the form of a
sequence of sixty sonnets, the poem begins with an extended, slightly troubled idyll of a man who
has apparently died, left himself a trust fund, still lives, but cannot remember his previous life. The
poem then turns into a story in which he seeks to recover his memory and find his lost wife.
Elements of science-fiction and future politics combine with evocative landscapes, passionate
action, and searching character study. Biomedical, supernatural, psychological, and allegorical
explanations hang in suspension: the poem avoids any distracting religious or theological doctrines,
but grapples with the ethical and spiritual issues of saying farewell to the world. Rendered faithfully
into elegant Albanian translation by one of Albania’s most distinguished poets, this poem here has
its first debut into print, anticipating by a few weeks the publication of the English original in Two
Ghost Poems, to be published in 2011 by Turning Point Press.
OCCURRENCE ON EARTH
Occurrence on Earth is now available for purchase. A copy may be obtained directly through the
publisher, or (soon) by contacting local Barnes & Noble bookstores, as well as amazon.com :
Occurrence on Earth, a collection of works by Albanian poet-statesman Preç Zogaj (translated into
Albanian from English by Gjekë Marinaj) speaks to the collective experience of his people during the
period leading up to and immediately following the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. Zogaj’s
verses, composed between 1989 and 2008, present the haunting introspection of a people just
emerging from decades of life under one of the world’s most isolated and repressive dictatorships.
The works achieve a distinctively national character with sprinkled references to Albania’s cities,
mountains, and coastline on the Adriatic Sea. They also place themselves in their region with
frequent mention of the cultural symbols of neighboring Greece and references to Zogaj’s religious
heritage in Christian Northern Albania and use words from Islam, Albania’s predominant religion
since the days of the Ottoman Empire. While mentioning the influence of the Soviet era with a
reference to Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, these poems reveal Albania’s strong identity with the
West, incorporating names of such places as Florence in Italy and California in America and such
icons of European literature as Shakespeare, Goethe, and Balzac. Many of the poems written in the
earlier part of the period evoke sad images of a traumatized people who were at that time living in a
countryside littered with arms and ammunition, including chemical weapons from the Communist
era and land mines left over from the Kosovo conflict.
TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIETY OF THE ALBANIAN WRITERS
April 2, 2011 7.00 p.m.
On April 2, 2011, Gjeke delivered a speech at the Maestro’s Caterers in Bronx, New York for the 10th
anniversary of the Society of the Albanian Writers. Gjeke is the founder of the aforementioned society,
established in 2001, and served as president from the initial conception until 2008.
This opportunity provided for a personalized experience for those interested in hearing and speaking
with Gjeke.
TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF TWENTY POETIC LINES
December, 2010
In Albania’s leading newspaper, Prec Zogaj, has published an article, Twentieth Anniversary of
Twenty Poetic Lines, praising the works of Gjeke Marinaj and his poem, Horses. This masterfully
impactful poem, published in the newspaper Drita in August of 1990, provided extreme relevance
regarding the fall of Communism, and thereby the establishment of comradery among the Albanian
society.
In 2012, the Albanian Democracy will center celebratory focus around Horses, for its addition to
developmental democracy. Thereby, acknowledging just how poetically impactful Gjeke, and the
written word, truly can be.
For more information, the following link has been provided:
http://www.shekulli.com.al/2010/09/23/njezet-vjetori-i-njezet-vargjeve.html
FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO
December, 2010
Gjeke’s achievements have facilitated an impressive connection between Albanian and American
culture. Such has been recognized by the Republic of Kosovo, primary through the office of non-
residential issues. Thereby, Gjeke has been granted the title of Mërgimtarë të shquar, or outstanding
emigrant. Further information regarding this can be acquired through the following link: http://mergata.
rks-gov.net/?cid=1,29,144
RECOGNITION BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS IN DALLAS
December, 2010
In honor and recognition of twenty years of literary service, The University of Texas in Dallas
celebrated Gjeke’s achievements by producing a translated compact disc of his poem, Horses/Kuajt.
Dedication was directed toward Warren Zimmerman (1934-2004), the twenty-first US Ambassador to
Yugoslavia. Gjeke’s influence had an impactful resonation with Zimmerman, as he welcomed him to
American following a reading of Horses, and after meeting him personally following his fleeing.
The following link provides for an English translated depiction of Horses, and encompasses why the
brilliance of Gjeke’s writing is a true fortune to American poetic literature.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Gjeke+Marinaj&aq=f
Appreciation and gratitude for the commemorative production are also as follows:
music by Gjon Kapedani (1934-2009)
text by Gjeke
translated by Frederick Turner
tenor Hoyt Neal
piano by Michael McVay
visual effects by Robert L Williams
sound engineer Matt Unkenholz
classic photos by Gani Xhengo
portraiture by Jesse Bowen
produced by Kathryn Evans.
GJEKE'S INVITATION TO POETRY IRELAND REVEIW 100
Thursday May 13, 2010
The Committee Poetry Ireland 100 in Dublin, Ireland granted Gjeke the esteemed privilege of
participating in the initiatory launching of their featured short readings. As a contributor to this 30th
anniversary event, Gjeke was in company of such great poets as Tom French, Andrew Jamison,
Catherine Phil MacCarthy, Noel Monahan, Caitriona O'Reilly, Gerard Smyth, Richanrd Tilinghast, Ann
Zell, as well as the press secretary of the Greek Embassy in Dublin, Yiorgos Chouliaras.
DENNISKILLEN, NORTHERN IRELAND
May 8, 2010
In May, the Board of the English Department at the American College in Denniskillen, provided Gjeke
with the opportunity to share some of his esteemed poetic work comprised over the past five years.
This composition of poetry, written while residing in the United States, gave Gjeke the opportunity to
exchange poetic workings with some of the most highly acclaimed poets and writers in Northern
Ireland.
This experience allotted Gjeke the opportunity to meet others with similar literary interests and
accolades, as well as those with a newfound following and passion for poetry.
From Dallas to the Balkans: The literary reach of Dennis Kratz
An interview with Dennis Kratz. Pena International Vol. IX. No.1 Spring 2010, pp. 10 – 13
Translating the significance of “two” in Buçpapaj’s Two sheets of wind
Pena International Vol. IX, No. 1, Spring 2010, pp. 22-26.
An interview with Ismail Kadare
Translation Review, No. 76. 2008, pp. 11 – 17
The Poetic Vision of Preç Zogaj in Translation
Translation Review No. 76. 2008, pp. 42-54
Marinaj Profiled in the Baylor Progress
November 1, 2009 – Marinaj’s profile appears in the November 2009 issue of Baylor Progress. The
article appears on page 5 and is entitled "Crossing Borders to New Life".
Translation Review #76
In April 2009, The Center for Translation Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, in collaboration
with the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA), published Translation Review #76, a
special issue devoted to Albanian literature. The guest editor was Gjekë Marinaj. Among other
features, this issue included an interview with Ismail Kadare, reviews of works translated from
Albanian into English, an article about the history of Albanian literature in English translation, and
essays about translating Albanian folk poetry, modern Albanian poetry, and Albania’s national epic.
Marinaj Profiled in the UTD Mercury
January 12, 2009 - Marinaj appears on the front page of the January 12, 2009 issue of The UTD
Mercury with an accompanying article on page 4.
Marinaj Wins the 2008 Pjetër Arbnori Prize for Literature
On Dec. 24, 2008, the International Cultural Center of Albania (part of the Albanian Ministry of Culture)
awarded Marinaj 2008 Pjetër Arbnori prize for literature. The award is given annually to an Albanian or
international author in recognition of their ongoing contribution to national and world literature,
essentially equivalent to the Pulitzer Prize in the United States.
Marinaj makes Most Prominent List
Shekulli (The century) Albania’s leading national newspaper has listed Gjekë Marinaj at number 7 on
its list of the “15 most famous Albanian-American people.”
Thanks to all the Albanian journalists and editors who voted for Marinaj.
For a complete list of Shekulli’s “15 most famous Albanian-American people” visit www.shekulli.com.
al
Marinaj again makes Magazine’s “VIP” List
Blue tooth magazine has listed Gjekë Marinaj at number 15 on its list of the “18 Most Important
Albanian people or so-called (VIPs).”
A complete list of “18 Most Important Albanian People” can be found in the magazine’s issue for the
week of February. 28.
In 1990, Gjekë Marinaj was fleeing through the mountains from his home country of Albania into the
former Yugoslavia. He was being pursued by Albanian secret police with tracker dogs. Marinaj’s
crime: writing a poem. www.utdallas.edu/news/2011/6/23-11471_Professor-and-Student-Cross-the-
Balkans-for-Poetry_article.html
GJEKE HAS RETURNED FROM EUROPE...
Gjeke has recently returned from his travels throughout Europe in which he completed research for
his dissertation, as well as participated in various interviews and literary related events. Gjeke’s
travels allotted the opportunity to spend time in numerous countries including Albania, Montenegro,
Serbia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Russia, Romania and Bosnia. Noted below is a culmination of some of
the information resulted from his appearances on television shows, newspaper coverage and other
events of importance.
TELEVISION
Gjeke had the wonderful fortune of participating in various forms of television coverage during the
duration of his travels, of which he was accompanied by Frederick Turner. Coverage included expert
interviews with other literary and academic figures, personal interviews and literary-related shows.
In June, Marinaj and Turner were hosted by TV Klan where they participated in a 153-minute
segment, alongside other experts in epic poetry, discussing literature, poetry and translation of
such. Other appearances included segments on TV BOIN, TV ORBIT, Planet TV, Ora News, Hayat
TV, UFO, and TVSH. Interviews consisted of lengths varying from 38-153 minutes, respectfully.
NEWSPAPERS
Media coverage continued during the duration of Marinaj and Turners European travels. Numerous
newspaper articles were dedicated to the work of the authors, including coverage on several front
page papers, such as the all-important, Nacional. The newspapers Express and Shqip also
provided exquisitely gracious coverage, as well as Koha Javore, which wonderfully delivered a book
review.
Content discussed included interviews with Gjeke regarding his personal life, with emphasis on his
time spent since leaving his home country of Albania. Coverage was also provided on the books-
Sung Across the Shoulder: Heroic Poetry of Illyria and The Undiscovered Country. Subsequently,
book reviews were also included, notably in such papers as Mapo.
EVENTS
Albania- Hotel Tirana
In May, Marinaj and Turner traveled to the Hotel Tirana International in Tirana, Albania. Marinaj and
Turner were respectfully invited by the NACIONAL Publishing House to make two book
presentations: Sung Across the Shoulder: Heroic Poetry of Illyria and The Undiscovered Country.
Upon arrival, Gjeke was humbled by the large crowd of readers, authors, literary greats, politicians
and authors he encountered. Because the main room of which Gjeke was to speak reached capacity
so quickly, a projector screen had to be constructed in a subsequent room in order to accommodate
the large amount of people that graciously attended the event. Gjeke was moved by the amount of
support in attendance, including that of professors and students from major universities, which had
traveled as far as The University of Tetova.
MONTENEGRO- HOUSE OF CULTURE
Invited by Dr. Lukë Gjokaj, Gjekë Marinaj and Frederick Turner made two presentations in
Montenegro- Sung Across the Shoulder: Heroic Poetry of Illyria and The Undiscovered Country- at the
House of Culture. This event generated a modest crowd, and was also accompanied by city
students. The students had the opportunity to recite poems, and also made book comments during
the duration of the presentation.
KOSOVO- KLIN
In May, Gjekë Marinaj and Frederick Turner provided two book presentations- Sung Across the
Shoulder: Heroic Poetry of Illyria and The Undiscovered Country- in the Meeting Room of the Kuvendi
Komunal of Kline. Invitation to the writers was extended by the society of writers "Vorea Ujko" and the
Regional Cultural Directorate of the City of Kline. This specific event reached capacity and consisted
of such celebratory elements as live music and gifts of books by local writers.
Gjeke was overwhelmed by the graciousness and outpouring of support by this community and
would also like to make specific mention of one gift in particular, presented by the sensational artist,
Idriz Berisha .
Berisha, who Gjeke calls "the contemporary Picasso of Kosovo" presented Marinaj and Turner with
two original, abstract paintings. Marinaj’s painting was deemed by Berisha as the “Old Song.” The
painting implements many of the traditional elements in literary metaphors of the Albanian epic
poetry. The unexpected gift was graciously accepted by Marinaj who called it “the best gift I have ever
gotten in my professional career.”
SUNG ACROSS THE SHOULDER: HEROIC POETRY OF ILLYRIA
Sung Across the Shoulder: Heroic Poetry of Illyria, is now available directly through the publisher, at
amazon.com or Barnes & Noble bookstores:
In the tradition of Francis James Child’s collection of British oral poetry in the nineteenth century and
Alan Lomax’s collection of American folk ballads in the twentieth, this book is an anthology of
Albanian oral poetry in translation. It was recorded live, mostly in the presence of the co-translator
Gjeke Marinaj, and mostly in the traditional mountain villages of Malësia e Malë in northern Albania.
It was then translated directly from the acoustic recording by Marinaj and Frederick Turner. Turner,
the other co-translator, rendered the verse in the same metrical forms as the original. The poems
are arranged under the headings: patriotic songs; pastorals; heroic tales; the epic matter of Muji;
courtship, flirtation, and love; marriage songs; spells, charms, and games; Hymns and rituals; and
philosophy. The anthology includes an introductory essay by Turner and a scholarly background
essay by Marinaj, with brief biographical sketches of the performers, including photographs.
THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY
The Undiscovered Country is now available for purchase. Copies may be obtained directly through
the publisher, or (soon) by visiting local Barnes & Noble bookstores and amazon.com:
This book deals in poetic and narrative terms with perhaps the largest question in human life: what if
we survive our own death? Would an afterlife rectify the tragic injustice of life, or render all of the
moral, aesthetic and intellectual content of our lives meaningless? Composed in the form of a
sequence of sixty sonnets, the poem begins with an extended, slightly troubled idyll of a man who
has apparently died, left himself a trust fund, still lives, but cannot remember his previous life. The
poem then turns into a story in which he seeks to recover his memory and find his lost wife.
Elements of science-fiction and future politics combine with evocative landscapes, passionate
action, and searching character study. Biomedical, supernatural, psychological, and allegorical
explanations hang in suspension: the poem avoids any distracting religious or theological doctrines,
but grapples with the ethical and spiritual issues of saying farewell to the world. Rendered faithfully
into elegant Albanian translation by one of Albania’s most distinguished poets, this poem here has
its first debut into print, anticipating by a few weeks the publication of the English original in Two
Ghost Poems, to be published in 2011 by Turning Point Press.
OCCURRENCE ON EARTH
Occurrence on Earth is now available for purchase. A copy may be obtained directly through the
publisher, or (soon) by contacting local Barnes & Noble bookstores, as well as amazon.com :
Occurrence on Earth, a collection of works by Albanian poet-statesman Preç Zogaj (translated into
Albanian from English by Gjekë Marinaj) speaks to the collective experience of his people during the
period leading up to and immediately following the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe. Zogaj’s
verses, composed between 1989 and 2008, present the haunting introspection of a people just
emerging from decades of life under one of the world’s most isolated and repressive dictatorships.
The works achieve a distinctively national character with sprinkled references to Albania’s cities,
mountains, and coastline on the Adriatic Sea. They also place themselves in their region with
frequent mention of the cultural symbols of neighboring Greece and references to Zogaj’s religious
heritage in Christian Northern Albania and use words from Islam, Albania’s predominant religion
since the days of the Ottoman Empire. While mentioning the influence of the Soviet era with a
reference to Russian poet Alexander Pushkin, these poems reveal Albania’s strong identity with the
West, incorporating names of such places as Florence in Italy and California in America and such
icons of European literature as Shakespeare, Goethe, and Balzac. Many of the poems written in the
earlier part of the period evoke sad images of a traumatized people who were at that time living in a
countryside littered with arms and ammunition, including chemical weapons from the Communist
era and land mines left over from the Kosovo conflict.
TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOCIETY OF THE ALBANIAN WRITERS
April 2, 2011 7.00 p.m.
On April 2, 2011, Gjeke delivered a speech at the Maestro’s Caterers in Bronx, New York for the 10th
anniversary of the Society of the Albanian Writers. Gjeke is the founder of the aforementioned society,
established in 2001, and served as president from the initial conception until 2008.
This opportunity provided for a personalized experience for those interested in hearing and speaking
with Gjeke.
TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF TWENTY POETIC LINES
December, 2010
In Albania’s leading newspaper, Prec Zogaj, has published an article, Twentieth Anniversary of
Twenty Poetic Lines, praising the works of Gjeke Marinaj and his poem, Horses. This masterfully
impactful poem, published in the newspaper Drita in August of 1990, provided extreme relevance
regarding the fall of Communism, and thereby the establishment of comradery among the Albanian
society.
In 2012, the Albanian Democracy will center celebratory focus around Horses, for its addition to
developmental democracy. Thereby, acknowledging just how poetically impactful Gjeke, and the
written word, truly can be.
For more information, the following link has been provided:
http://www.shekulli.com.al/2010/09/23/njezet-vjetori-i-njezet-vargjeve.html
FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO
December, 2010
Gjeke’s achievements have facilitated an impressive connection between Albanian and American
culture. Such has been recognized by the Republic of Kosovo, primary through the office of non-
residential issues. Thereby, Gjeke has been granted the title of Mërgimtarë të shquar, or outstanding
emigrant. Further information regarding this can be acquired through the following link: http://mergata.
rks-gov.net/?cid=1,29,144
RECOGNITION BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS IN DALLAS
December, 2010
In honor and recognition of twenty years of literary service, The University of Texas in Dallas
celebrated Gjeke’s achievements by producing a translated compact disc of his poem, Horses/Kuajt.
Dedication was directed toward Warren Zimmerman (1934-2004), the twenty-first US Ambassador to
Yugoslavia. Gjeke’s influence had an impactful resonation with Zimmerman, as he welcomed him to
American following a reading of Horses, and after meeting him personally following his fleeing.
The following link provides for an English translated depiction of Horses, and encompasses why the
brilliance of Gjeke’s writing is a true fortune to American poetic literature.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Gjeke+Marinaj&aq=f
Appreciation and gratitude for the commemorative production are also as follows:
music by Gjon Kapedani (1934-2009)
text by Gjeke
translated by Frederick Turner
tenor Hoyt Neal
piano by Michael McVay
visual effects by Robert L Williams
sound engineer Matt Unkenholz
classic photos by Gani Xhengo
portraiture by Jesse Bowen
produced by Kathryn Evans.
GJEKE'S INVITATION TO POETRY IRELAND REVEIW 100
Thursday May 13, 2010
The Committee Poetry Ireland 100 in Dublin, Ireland granted Gjeke the esteemed privilege of
participating in the initiatory launching of their featured short readings. As a contributor to this 30th
anniversary event, Gjeke was in company of such great poets as Tom French, Andrew Jamison,
Catherine Phil MacCarthy, Noel Monahan, Caitriona O'Reilly, Gerard Smyth, Richanrd Tilinghast, Ann
Zell, as well as the press secretary of the Greek Embassy in Dublin, Yiorgos Chouliaras.
DENNISKILLEN, NORTHERN IRELAND
May 8, 2010
In May, the Board of the English Department at the American College in Denniskillen, provided Gjeke
with the opportunity to share some of his esteemed poetic work comprised over the past five years.
This composition of poetry, written while residing in the United States, gave Gjeke the opportunity to
exchange poetic workings with some of the most highly acclaimed poets and writers in Northern
Ireland.
This experience allotted Gjeke the opportunity to meet others with similar literary interests and
accolades, as well as those with a newfound following and passion for poetry.
From Dallas to the Balkans: The literary reach of Dennis Kratz
An interview with Dennis Kratz. Pena International Vol. IX. No.1 Spring 2010, pp. 10 – 13
Translating the significance of “two” in Buçpapaj’s Two sheets of wind
Pena International Vol. IX, No. 1, Spring 2010, pp. 22-26.
An interview with Ismail Kadare
Translation Review, No. 76. 2008, pp. 11 – 17
The Poetic Vision of Preç Zogaj in Translation
Translation Review No. 76. 2008, pp. 42-54
Marinaj Profiled in the Baylor Progress
November 1, 2009 – Marinaj’s profile appears in the November 2009 issue of Baylor Progress. The
article appears on page 5 and is entitled "Crossing Borders to New Life".
Translation Review #76
In April 2009, The Center for Translation Studies at The University of Texas at Dallas, in collaboration
with the American Literary Translators Association (ALTA), published Translation Review #76, a
special issue devoted to Albanian literature. The guest editor was Gjekë Marinaj. Among other
features, this issue included an interview with Ismail Kadare, reviews of works translated from
Albanian into English, an article about the history of Albanian literature in English translation, and
essays about translating Albanian folk poetry, modern Albanian poetry, and Albania’s national epic.
Marinaj Profiled in the UTD Mercury
January 12, 2009 - Marinaj appears on the front page of the January 12, 2009 issue of The UTD
Mercury with an accompanying article on page 4.
Marinaj Wins the 2008 Pjetër Arbnori Prize for Literature
On Dec. 24, 2008, the International Cultural Center of Albania (part of the Albanian Ministry of Culture)
awarded Marinaj 2008 Pjetër Arbnori prize for literature. The award is given annually to an Albanian or
international author in recognition of their ongoing contribution to national and world literature,
essentially equivalent to the Pulitzer Prize in the United States.
Marinaj makes Most Prominent List
Shekulli (The century) Albania’s leading national newspaper has listed Gjekë Marinaj at number 7 on
its list of the “15 most famous Albanian-American people.”
Thanks to all the Albanian journalists and editors who voted for Marinaj.
For a complete list of Shekulli’s “15 most famous Albanian-American people” visit www.shekulli.com.
al
Marinaj again makes Magazine’s “VIP” List
Blue tooth magazine has listed Gjekë Marinaj at number 15 on its list of the “18 Most Important
Albanian people or so-called (VIPs).”
A complete list of “18 Most Important Albanian People” can be found in the magazine’s issue for the
week of February. 28.
| News, New & Highlights |
“Gjekë Marinaj’s poems deal directly with life’s problems. They are instantaneously inspirational, at once lyrical and sensitive, clear and abstract. He reconciles
these extremes by creating equilibrium between opposing ideas, contrasting imagery, and antithetical meanings. Above all, his poems are authentic, singular
compositions, uniquely elegant in their motives, figurative style, poetic perception and vividness. His is a verse we must distinguish as first-rate poetry.”
—Ramadan Musliu, Poeteka
these extremes by creating equilibrium between opposing ideas, contrasting imagery, and antithetical meanings. Above all, his poems are authentic, singular
compositions, uniquely elegant in their motives, figurative style, poetic perception and vividness. His is a verse we must distinguish as first-rate poetry.”
—Ramadan Musliu, Poeteka
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