Ismail Kadare, Writer
Ismail Kadare, who has won the first International Man Booker Prize, is without doubt the most creative and original figure in contemporary Albanian letters. He is, in addition, the only Albanian writer to enjoy a broad international reputation. Kadare’s talents have lost none of their innovative force over the past four decades. His courage in attacking literary mediocrity within the Communist system brought a breath of fresh air to Albanian culture in the sombre years of imposed conformity.
