Rafaela Prifti/
The renowned writer, translator and architect Petraq Kolevica passed away yesterday in Albania at the age of 89. Throughout his long and prolific career, he brought Albanian arts and culture to the forefront. Kolevica is the architect of a few public works in Tirana and also in his hometown of Korça, as well as in Erseke and Vlora. The first 7-story structure in the country and the “Thimi Mitko” library of Korca are some of the signature designs in his portfolio. In several important projects, such as the National Historic Museum, Kolevica was part of a team of designers. Singled out by the communist leadership of Albania for ‘his foreign influences’ as an engineer and architect, he was banned from practicing his craft. Kolevica later recounts it in his book Arkitektura dhe Diktatura (Architecture and Dictatorship).
He then turned his focus and incredible mastery towards literature gifting Albanian culture with several collections of poetry and translations of classic works. According to his biography, Kolevica’s friendship with painting masters Vangjush Mio and Vangjush Tushi was particularly significant for the education and formative years of young Petraq. In 1960, Kolevica published Lermontov’s “Demon” volume from Russian, a critically acclaimed translation and a beloved poem of the Albanian readers. In 1986 another collections titled “German and Austrian Poetry” was released. He has been credited as the only translator into Albanian of Japanese poems, not from the original. “Songs from bad times” is a book of his own poems and creations published after the regime collapse, which became part of a full volume of works tiled Te Korra te Vona (Late harvest)
Petraq Kolevica was born on January 11, 1934 in Korca. He graduated in 1957 from the School of Engineering at the University of Tirana and was employed as architect at the public Institute of design. Through his talent and hard work, Kolevica distinguished himself earning recognition and national awards. In 1991, he was elected the first president of the first “Albanian Association of Architects”. Suffering from a weakened health, he kept contributing to the opposition media in Albania. His book memoirs Lasgushi me ka thene (Lasgush has told me) and Me Mitrushin (With Mitrush) are an incredible value to us today. These publications and other are available on his online page.
Throughout his career and professional life, as an architect and a poet, Petraq Kolevica personifies a designer at heart. He is survived by his family members.
