Ismaíl Kadaré Prince of Asturias Award for Literature 2009

"I am very honoured and grateful for having received this award, one of the most prestigious in the world, as well as for forming part of a list of eminent writers whom I so much admire."

Ismaíl Kadaré
Tirana (Albania), 24^th June 2009

"The Embassy of Spain in Albania congratulates Ismaíl Kadaré for the Prince of Asturias Award Laureate for Letters, considering that this concession, one of the most important awards that a literature work can receive, means not only a merited recognition to Ismaíl Kadaré´s work, but also an important contribution to the better knowledge of Albania in the world".

Manuel Montobbio, ambassador of Spain in Albania
Tirana (Albania), 24^th June 2009

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania congratulates itself on the award that the Prince of Asturias Foundation has bestowed on the great Albanian writer, novelist, essayist and poet Ismaíl Kadaré, who represents the pinnacle of Albanian literary culture.

The bestowal of this award on Ismaíl Kadaré prizes the genius of Albanian literature, who narrates the history and traditions of Albania, steeped in elements that are one and the same time Balkan and Mediterranean, raising them to universal levels.

Albania itself feels prized with the Prince of Asturias Award for its contribution to the consolidation of the values of European civilisation, which it feels and represents part of.

The Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulates the writer laureate and avails itself of the opportunity to express its gratitude to him for his great work as an ambassador of the culture of his own motherland.

In renewed gratitude for the major Award that the honourable Jury for Letters has bestowed on the great Albanian writer Ismaíl Kadaré, this Ministry expresses its appreciation and esteem for the great work and exceptional contribution of the Prince of Asturias Foundation to the cultural heritage of mankind". 

Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tirana, 24^th June 2009