European Union Prize for Literature
1 appearances
-
Edition 6 (2014) Winner
Ben Blushi
ベン・ブルシ
Ben Blushi
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1969-01-01 （Tirana, Albania）
- Nationality
- Albanian
- Languages
- Albanian, English
- Religion
- Atheist
- Residence History
- Tirana (residence)
Career
- Occupations
- politician, writer, journalist
- Active Years
- 1999-
- Affiliations
- Socialist Party of Albania, LIBRA (founder/leader)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Tirana | — | Albanian Language and Literature | 学士 | — | Albania |
University of Tirana
Albanian Language and Literature
Degree:
学士
Country:
Albania
Studied Albanian language and literature
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | European Union Prize for Literature | Othello, the Moor of Vlora (Otello, Arapi i Vlorës) | — | European Commission | winner |
European Union Prize for Literature
2014
Work:
Othello, the Moor of Vlora (Otello, Arapi i Vlorës)
Organization:
European Commission
Result:
winner
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Living on an Island (Të Jetosh Në Ishull)
2008 NovelA historical novel set against Albanian history under the Ottoman Empire, exploring national and personal conflicts through life on an island.
historyidentityreligion and secularism
Othello, the Moor of Vlora (Otello, Arapi i Vlorës)
2009 NovelSet in Vlorë, the novel echoes themes of Shakespeare's Othello while intertwining Albania's modern history.
jealousypowerhistory
Shqipëria
2011 Essays / Novel elementsA work containing reflections on the country of Albania and its history.
nationhistorysociety
The Candidate (Kandidati)
2015 NovelA contemporary novel portraying the political backstage and power struggles; it was a bestseller at the Tirana Book Fair.
politicspowercorruption
The Prime Minister (KM: Kryeministri)
2016 NovelA political novel centered on a prime minister, thematizing contemporary Albanian politics.
leadershippoliticsethics
Komploti
2023 NovelA story revolving around conspiracy, containing elements of political suspense.
conspiracypoliticsbehind-the-scenes
Parajsa Artificiale
2024 NovelA recent work exploring the clash between modern society and artificial utopias.
modernityutopiatechnology
Bibliography
- Living on an Island (Të Jetosh Në Ishull), Toena, 2008
- Othello, the Moor of Vlora (Otello, Arapi i Vlorës), Toena, 2009
- Shqipëria, Mapo Editions, 2011
- The Candidate (Kandidati), UET, 2015
- The Prime Minister (KM: Kryeministri), Mapo Editions, 2016
- Komploti, PEGI, 2023
- Parajsa Artificiale, PEGI, 2024
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- blend of historical narrative and contemporary political themesdetailed character portrayala style that weaves political theory and social analysis into narrative
- Recurring Motifs
- poweridentitycontinuity and rupture of history
Legacy
Ben Blushi has combined careers as a politician and writer, known for works addressing Albania's modern and contemporary history and politics. His EU Prize for Literature brought international attention.
Trivia
- His debut novel Të Jetosh Në Ishull sold over 30,000 copies within a few months, a record for the Albanian market.
- He has publicly stated that he is an atheist.