Zana international literature festival

Aleksandar Dundjerin

Aleksandar Dundjerin was born in 1974 in Novi Sad, where he completed his Studies of Serbian Literature at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad. He has lived and worked in Novi Sad, Belgrade, and several cities in Poland. For the past ten years, he has lived and created in Mitrovica, where he and his wife Miljana run the Cultural Center "Aquarius."
He is the author of hundreds of studies, essays, reviews, articles, journalistic works, short stories, and poems published in many domestic and foreign anthologies, artistic periodicals, weekly magazines, daily newspapers, and portals.
Among his works are an artistic prose book (In the Cracked Shell, 2002), a play Beg od ničega (Escape from Nothing, 2004), a poetry book (Change the Title, 2024), a book of essays and critiques (Demons Leave I, 2014), a book of conversations and polemics (Demons Leave II, 2014). He has also edited more than a dozen books.

Alexandros Athanasiou

Alexandros Athanasiou was born in ’92. He studied Journalism in Athens and Writing in Brighton. Ever since, he spends his time exploring the grotesque and the unholy. He also likes custard cookies. In 2x23, he was awarded as a Runner Up in Sussex Poetry Competition, for his satire on A. Ginsberg’s infamous Howl to Carl Solomon.

Amar Ličina

Amar Ličina was born on August 15, 2001, in Novi Pazar. He studies Serbian literature and language at the State University of Novi Pazar. He writes poetry and prose. He won first prize at the Youth Poetry Festival in Vrbas (2022) and the “Kosto Ninković” award at the “Pod lipom” festival in Nikšić. He has also been a finalist in several literary competitions, including the Ratković Poetry Evenings. His first poetry collection, Mera stvari (2022), won the “Matić’s Scarf” award and was shortlisted for the “Đura Jakšić” and “Slavitude” awards. His poetry has been translated into French, Spanish, and English.

Bujar Meholli

Bujar Meholli is a professor of Albanian literature, essayist, critic, and writer. In addition to lecturing, he analyzes issues related to literature, philosophy, psychology, music, painting, film, and culture in general. His essays revisit themes from various authors and cultural periods, shaping them through modern perspectives. Active in both print and online media, his writings cover topics such as multiculturalism, contemporary socio-cultural analyses, the essential values of art, the fabric of the digital era, and the psychophysical implications on 21st-century humans. So far, he has published two poetry collections and is currently working on new writings and publications.

Dije Demiri-Frangu

Dije Demiri-Frangu is a well-known author in Kosovo and beyond. She has published 12 books—works for both adults and children. She is also engaged in the study of literature; as a researcher, she has participated in numerous seminars and scientific conferences. She has published a book on children's literature studies, Children’s Literature (Genesis, Phenomena, Authors), as well as a book of literary criticism currently in publication, With Literature. She is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Philology at the University of Prishtina, Hasan Prishtina, in the Department of Albanian Literature.

Faruk Buzhala

Faruk Buzhala is a poet from Ferizaj, whose work is deeply rooted in existential experiences, historical memory, and spiritual sensitivity. His poetry represents a voice that has endured difficult times, where words have been used as a means of survival, testimony, and reflection. His verses carry emotional depth and a persistent sense of searching, where love, pain, and memory intertwine in free forms, often layered with double meanings. He has published several poetry collections and continues to be active in writing, viewing art as an ongoing process of evolution and self-formation. His poems have been translated into other languages and featured in both local and international literary anthologies. At this festival, he presents a selection of poems that explore emotions as mirror silhouettes and traces of longing that never fade.

Fisnik Egër

Fisnik Egër is a Psychology graduate who began writing poetry during his early years of study as a way to cope with academic pressure and personal challenges. Over time, poetry became a meaningful outlet for reflection and expression. Alongside his creative work, Fisnik has collaborated and worked with various cultural organizations and been involved in research projects and community issues. These experiences continue to shape his writing, allowing him to give a personal insight with academic and social themes. For Fisnik, poetry is used as a bridge between his inner life and the world around him.

Ledia Dushi

Ledia Dushi is a prominent Albanian poet, translator, and academic, born in 1978 in Shkodër, northern Albania. She is renowned for her poetry written in the Gheg dialect, which is notable in a literary landscape predominantly characterized by the Tosk dialect. Her choice to write in Gheg has been both celebrated and criticized, with some early detractors accusing her of attempting to divide the Albanian nation.
Dushi studied Albanian language and literature, earning her doctoral degree in ethnology and folklore from the Academy of Albanological Studies in Tirana. Her academic research focuses on folklore and religious rites, particularly burial rituals in northern Albania. She has served as a lecturer at the University of Belgrade and the European University of Tirana, she also served as a researcher at the Academy of Albanological Studies in Tirana. Actually she works as director of Library of Shkodra, "Marin Barleti"

Marija Petranović Šerifović

Marija Petranović Šerifović was born in Novi Sad in 1982. She is currently studying Information Science at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, Republic of Croatia. Her poetry has been published in online literary magazines such as astronaut.ba, booke.hr, Anna lit književnost, Kvaka, Nigdine, and Dunjalučar, as well as the Istrian cultural center/journal Zvona i Nari. She is featured in the poetry anthology Tanane revolucije (Kontrast, Belgrade, 2023). Her poetry collection Vrati joj lambadu was published in 2024 by the Niš Cultural Center. Due to her work, she travels the world. She currently lives and works between Ireland, Serbia, and Croatia.

Marsela Neni

Born in Elbasan on August 22, 1984, Marsela Neni holds a degree in Albanian Language and Literature from the University of Elbasan and a Master of Science in Linguistics from the University of Tirana. She is the author of the poetry collection “Nântë herë grue” (Nine Times Woman), published in 2023 by the Poetry Club Publishing House in Tirana. Her work includes poetry cycles, critical articles, reviews, and translations featured in various cultural newspapers and magazines.

Marsela was awarded the “At Gjergj Fishta” Prize for Best Poem in 2023 by the literary association “Ora e Muzës” in Lezha, and her literary work appears in several poetry anthologies. She is the author and co-author of seven high school textbooks in Albanian language and literature (Grades 10–12), including preparatory books for the national graduation exam.

Arbër Selmani

Taner Güçlütürk

Taner Güçlütürk is a Turkologist, educator, poet, researcher-writer, and translator. In 2011, he completed his PhD in the field of "Modern Turkish Literature" at the University of Skopje. His poems, essays, news articles, translations, commentaries, and scientific papers have been published in numerous national and international literary and academic journals and newspapers. He has over 50 published scientific articles and research papers. He has published 7 books and has served as editor for dozens of works. For his contributions to literature, science, and social service, he has been awarded ten national and international prizes and has received hundreds of certificates of appreciation. He has worked as a journalist, presenter, and program editor in various local, national, and international media outlets. In 2005, he received the Journalist of the Year Award in Kosovo. He has been a member of the Press Council of Kosovo.

Vlora Ademi

Vlora Ademi is a cultural diplomat and the founder of two international poetry festivals in Kosovo: the International Poetry Festival Republika in Prishtina and the International Poetry Festival Respoetica in Prizren. In February 2023, her first poetry book "Katërdhetë e pak" was published by Onufri Publishing House, with the first promotion held in Brussels, followed by events in Prishtina, Shkodra, Korça, Tirana, Zurich, Geneva, Athens, Prizren, and Kërçovë. The second edition of the book, also published by Onufri, was presented in New York, USA, upon the invitation of the Pan-Albanian Federation Vatra. The book "Katërdhetë e pak" was awarded the “At Gjergj Fishta” Prize in Lezhë (2023) as the best poetry collection. Her poetry cycles were also awarded first place by the Municipality of Berat with the “Vexhi Buharaja” Prize (2023), and in the literary contest “Ndoc Gjetja” in Lezhë (2023)