Vrima

Rita Petro (Filipi)

Born on 13 March 1962 in Tirana;

Graduated from the University of Tirana, Department of Albanian Language and Literature (1980-1984);

Specialised at the Philosophical University of Athens in Philosophy and Ancient Culture (1993);

Worked as an editor and didactic specialist of literature for pre-university education (1985-2000);

Co-founded the publishing house Albas (2000), where she currently serves as publications director.

Co-author of 36 Albanian language and literature textbooks for pre-university education (used in Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Preševë and the diaspora);

Author of 4 poetry books:

Vargje të përfolura (1993), published by «Faik Konica»

Shija e instinktit (1998), published by «Toena»

Këtu poshtë këndohet live (2002), published by «Albas»

Në intimitet …nga Rita (2006), published by «Albas»

Winner of the «Onufri» prize for the best poetry at the Summer Poetry Festival (1999); «Friend of the City of Durrës» for her contribution to Albanian poetry (2000); winner of the «National Bibliophile Award – Lumo Skëndo» (2014); winner of the award for «Poetic Career and Contribution to the Emancipation of Society» (2015); participant in several poetry festivals in Albania and abroad; her work has been included in several literary magazines and anthologies of contemporary world literature; translated and published in French by Edmond Tupja and Ardian Marashi, in German by Hans J. Lanksch, and in English by Robert Elsie and Ukë Buçpapaj.

The book «Vrima» was published in November 2014 by the French publisher «L'Harmattan», translated by Luan Rama.