Was there any event or any circumstance that brought you closer to writing?
I’ve always felt the need to put my thoughts on paper. When I was 20, I was writing feuilletons and reportages dedicated to the students, but the first step to bringing me closer to writing was main prize in a school competition. I wrote a poem about ecology.
Do you remember your first poetry? What was it about?
Sadly, but not. Time is passing by so quickly that I can’t remember everything. There are only the remnants of how it began in my mind.
What are some of the difficulties you have encountered in your literary path?
There were a lot of difficulties. At one point, I even gave up writing due to the lack of the faith in my abilities, however literature attracts me too much to give it up at all.
Can you mention any of them (difficulties)?
Depression that almost killed my big love for literature. I couldn’t even start a line without a thought like “nah, this is the worst I have ever written, delete it immediately!”.
Do you think that they concern only your generation?
No, absolutely not. All poets and writers had “I can’t write” periods. Age and status don’t matter. What is more, depression and lack of the faith in our abilities are able to touch anyone.
Can writing poetry be therapeutic?
Definitely! You exist as some kind of God and you create your own university. It is very uplifting.
Your poems have been published in various anthologies all over the world. Do you consider it a success?
Yes, of course. The process of increasing the number of published poems around the world tells me that I’m doing good on my literary way. Another acceptance is like a refuel. Then I can move along in the ship of my creativity.
Your verses have also been translated into Italian. Is there any connection of yours with Italy?
My ancestor died during the Battle of Monte Cassino. He was buried in the military cemetery in Bologna. I visited Italy in 2017 year and I must admit – being able to see the most beautiful miracles of architecture in Milan and Bologna was a pleasure for eyes. I also have a family living close to Naples.
Can you tell us something about your recent publication?
I signed a new contract with a publisher in January. The purpose of this agreement was to release my newest poetry chapbook entitled “Deadlines”. It’s a dark book, but not because of monsters or the paranormal.
This compilation is a poetic and unfortunately sad description of the world we live in. We are witnessing the decline of tradition, family and respect. All for the glory of money and the gratification of narrow social groups.
In “Deadlines” I try to ask humanity, where are you going? What are you looking for? Is it really worth to destroy the nature, kill the animals to meet the never-ending expectations of people?
What does “deadline” mean in the contemporary universe? It’s not the finishing projects before the end of time. It’s a shout for changes before there won’t be any option to survive in this world.
Are you working on a new project? Do you want to talk about it?
I’ve finished my latest dark poetry book written in Polish. What is more, I’m going through the edits for my two unpublished novels.
IRMA KURTI is an Albanian poet, writer, lyricist, journalist, and translator and has been writing since she was a child. She is a naturalized Italian and lives in Bergamo, Italy. All her books are dedicated to the memory of her beloved parents, Hasan Kurti and Sherife Mezini, who have supported and encouraged every step of her literary path.
Kurti has also won numerous literary prizes and awards in Italy and Italian Switzerland. She was awarded the Universum Donna International Prize IX Edition 2013 for Literature and received a lifetime nomination as an Ambassador of Peace by the University of Peace, Italian Switzerland. In 2020, she became the honorary president of WikiPoesia, the encyclopedia of poetry. In 2021, she was awarded the title of Liria (Freedom) by the Italian-Albanian community in Italy. In 2022, she was also nominated as the Albanian ambassador to the International Academic Award of Contemporary Literature Seneca of the Academy of Philosophical Arts and Sciences, Bari. She also won the prestigious 2023 Naji Naaman’s literary prize for complete work.
Irma Kurti has published 27 books in Albanian, 24 in Italian, 15 in English, and two in French. She has written approximately 150 lyrics for adults and children. She has also translated 19 books by different authors, and all of her own books into Italian and English. Her books have been translated and published in 15 countries.
