The highland lute

by Gjergj Fishta

"Gjergj Fishta is the author of thirty-seven literary publications, but his name is indelibly linked to one great work, indeed what is perhaps the most astounding creation in all of Albanian literature, the 15,613-line national literary epic The Highland Lute." "Imbued with the spirit of the great epics of classical antiquity, The Highland Lute offers a panoramic view of northern Albanian history from 1862 to 1913 and recounts a story which mirrors the long Albanian struggle for freedom and independence. This literary masterpiece is a work of great significance to the Albanian people and, at the same time, constitutes the first Albanian-language contribution to world literature." "This publication makes The Highland Lute accessible to the English reader for the first time. Made over a three-year period from 2001-2004, the translation evokes both the majestic style of the original and the traditional culture of the 'wild' northern Albanians, the last surviving heroic culture in Europe."