Fatmir Terziu: Shefqet Dibrani's gesture is an example of dedication
- 13 hours ago
- 2 min read
In a time when cultural institutions face numerous financial challenges, every act of solidarity toward books carries special significance. The announcement made by Fitore Morina and the National Library of Kosovo “Hivzi Sulejmani” regarding the donation of a considerable contingent of books by the poet and literary critic Shefqet Dibrani is not only good news for the library’s collection, but also a reflection of the reality our libraries face today.
The donation includes the author’s own works from various literary genres, as well as publications by other authors of value to the collection, significantly enriching the holdings and creating better opportunities for readers, researchers, and young people seeking quality literature. This contribution gains even deeper meaning considering that Dibrani has lived and worked in Switzerland for several decades yet has never severed his connection with Albanian-language literature and cultural institutions in his homeland.
Beyond the well-deserved gratitude, however, this case prompts us to reflect on a broader issue: why do our libraries often lack sufficient funds for the systematic purchase of authors’ books, relying instead primarily on donations?
The reasons are well known and complex. Public budgets for culture remain limited and are often directed toward other sectors considered more urgent. Even within the cultural sphere itself, funds are distributed in a fragmented manner, leaving libraries with little room to regularly update their collections. In the absence of a sustainable policy for purchasing works by local authors, donations become a necessary mechanism of survival.
While this situation demonstrates the solidarity of writers, it also raises a silent dilemma: the author often becomes the main supporter of the circulation of his or her own work within public institutions. Instead of being purchased as a cultural value and as the product of intellectual labor, the book is donated as an act of generosity. This is noble, but it should not become the norm.
In this context, Shefqet Dibrani’s gesture stands as an example of commitment to promoting reading and fostering the cultural development of the community. It shows that cooperation between authors and cultural institutions is both possible and fruitful. At the same time, this example should serve as a call for more sustainable cultural policies, where the purchase of authors’ books is treated as a strategic investment in knowledge, memory, and identity.
Until then, our gratitude remains sincere and profound. For every donated book opens a window for someone; every enriched shelf brings us one step closer to a society that reads, thinks, and preserves its values.
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