One year after the passing of poet Skënder Rusi – A poetic evening in Korçë, filled with emotion

In the city of Korçë, one year after the passing of poet Skënder Rusi, a warm and emotional poetry evening was held. Family, friends, artists, and poetry lovers gathered to remember one of the most sensitive voices in Albanian literature.

The event was organized on the occasion of the publication of the poet’s final book, “Ditët e mia pa ty” ("My Days Without You"). For the city of Korçë and fans of Skënder’s poetry, this was not a day without him, but rather a day with him. “It is a privilege for poets that their days, even after they are no longer among us, can be shared with readers and, in doing so, become eternal. I believe the void left by a person is filled by the spiritual legacy they leave behind. In Skënder’s absence from our daily life, as his family, we have the chance to reach for those days and moments from the bookshelfbe, beautiful feelings that he left behind just for us. And that is a miracle,” said Eris Rusi.

The book is only a small part of a much greater legacy that remains on the shelves of his home—a poetic treasure that speaks to the creative life of a deeply soulful man.

“My father had a unique nature. He was loyal to everything he did and preserved it with great care. His poems opened and closed with a key that only he held. No one was allowed into that space. It was sacred. Even after he passed, we hesitated to enter it. But eventually, the desire to discover what was in that drawer became stronger than the grief. Inside, we found endless manuscripts, poems written in handwriting only my mother could decipher. We began to relive and rewrite those poems, turning them into this book. But it is not all, there is enough material for many more books because that shelf is endlessly filled,” said his son.

Zamira Kita, actress and host of the evening, highlighted Skënder Rusi’s love for Korçë, for art, and for his family, calling the event a moral and artistic duty to preserve the memory of a poet who left a mark.

“One year has passed, and we have gathered today to remember our beloved poet Skënder Rusi. He is always with us, because he left not only his poetry but also his deep love for the city, poetry, his family, and his muse. Today, we will share his verses with the people of Korçë, who loved him so much,” said Kita.

Egla Ceno, who performed some of Rusi’s poetry, shared her personal experience with his work. She described discovering his poetry as a deep and moving encounter that inspired her performance.

“I’m honored to have received this invitation from Zamira. I’m almost ashamed to admit I wasn’t familiar with his poetry before. But when I read it, I was stunned. I even wrote to Zamira that the poems were wonderful. It’s a responsibility, an emotion, and an honor to be on stage today with Zamira, Kristjan, and Blerta for this beautiful poetry and tribute,” said Ceno.

Kristjan Koroveshi described Skënder Rusi as one of the most distinct voices in Albanian lyrical poetry. He characterized Rusi’s work as an elegant confrontation with pain, love, and the deepest human emotions, placing him among the great national poets.

“It’s a special pleasure to remember today, in this tribute, Skënder Rusi—one of the extraordinary lyricists of beautiful sorrow. A unique poet, not only of Korçë but of all Albania. A man who spoke with deep emotion about pain, love, death, jealousy, humanity, and everything else,” said Koroveshi.

Through heartfelt interpretations and personal memories, this commemorative evening brought not only a tribute to the poet’s life and work but also a vivid experience of his presence through art. It was not a day of absence, but of presence. Skënder Rusi returned among those who loved him, through poetry that speaks, inspires, and touches.

Korçë remembered its poet with love. He was not there physically, but he was everywhere, in the voices of those who read his verses, in the eyes of those who were moved, and in the deep silence left behind by a true creator. His poetry is now part of eternity.

“KORÇA BOOM”