Arts
The Albanian-American Writers Society, which is led by a Stamford resident, intertwines Albanian and American cultures.
The Society of Albanian-American Writers needs space to hold its vast library and future meetings.
Credit Justin Stock
The Society of Albanian-American Writers, which was established in 2001, has had a broad range of activities and meetings in various American cities such as Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston and New York. The organization also has a significant local presence because its president lives in Stamford.
“We want to keep uniting in the Albanian language as well as in English,” president Adi Memeti told Patch. “We encourage people to write in the Albanian language and to continue our culture and our literature in Albanian language because this is important not just for our society, but for the [multicultural society] of the United States,” he said. “Even though we live in the United States, we need to continue our heritage.”
The Society’s mission is as follows: “to bring to our community and to all Albanians, wherever they may be, literary work of high quality, in accordance with the contemporary standards of the world in which we live. Likewise, we shall do everything possible to discover new knowledge and to create a new literary art in order to enrich Albanian civilization, as well as make a notable contribution to the literary advancement of the world.”
To become a member of the society, applicants must be Albanian-American, have at least one book published (Memeti has written several, including “Leave the Door Open”), and be approved by the society based on the quality of their work published, according to its website. There is also a $100 yearly membership fee.
Society meetings are held three months out of the year in March, May, and December in different locations to serve all members, including four from Stamford who meet once a week.
“We want to make them feel that they are equal,” Memeti, who is also manager of Habana Restaurant in Springdale, said.
April 2 will mark the society’s 10th anniversary. All 55 members will convene for a dinner party at Maestro in the Bronx to read and discuss books and poetry readings. Workshops about translating Albanian literature to English will also be provided.
Past society activities have included a December gathering at the Bronx Library in order to discuss and share items about the Albanian culture. The society also sponsored the fourth annual Albanian Independence Day celebration in Stamford in November to mark the 98th anniversary of Albanian freedom from the Ottoman Empire.
Future plans include the publication of a book at the end of the year that depicts the variety of events and meetings the association has done throughout the past decade.
The society is currently looking for more space to hold its collection of over 400 member-published books. Books are currently dispersed throughout the United States in members’ homes. Memeti has a small library in the lower part of his home along with the society’s magazine Pena, as well as information about the society. It is hoped that space will be found soon so that the general public can see the good work of the society and want to become members the next decade.
“If we find a place [for our library], we’re going to be able to expose all our books in one place and it’s going to be much easier,” Memeti said.
Non-members are also provided the opportunity to have books in the library as anyone can send their written work to the society.
