The newest book by well-known writer Ben Blushi, “Historitë e çmendura të Tiranës” (The Crazy Stories of Tirana), has just come off the press and has generated extraordinary interest among readers. It is reported that demand far exceeds the book’s current print run.
Ben Blushi is a writer, journalist, analyst, born on January 1, 1969, in Tirana. He graduated in Albanian Language and Literature from the University of Tirana and is the son of writer and screenwriter Kiço Blushi. He was also editor-in-chief of the newspaper KOHA JONË.
He became known as a novelist with “Të jetosh në ishull” (To Live on an Island), published in 2008. Among his works are “Otello, Arapi i Vlorës” (Othello, the Moor of Vlora), “Shqipëria” (Albania), “Kandidati” (The Candidate), “Kryeministri” (The Prime Minister), “41 sekrete” (41 Secrets) and “Komploti” (The Plot). His writings intertwine history, Albanian identity, religion, politics and human relationships.
In 2014 he won the European Union Prize for Literature, with the novel “Otello, Arapi i Vlorës”. Alongside literature, he has served as a member of parliament, Minister of Education and Minister of Local Government. Today he is the most widely read and sought-after writer, especially among young people.