The literary magazine “Pena”, the organ of the Association of Albanian-American Writers, is published in its 10th issue. As usual in the previous issues, the magazine comes under the care of editor-in-chief Adnan Mehmeti and editors Mëhill Velaj, Yllka Filipi and Arjeta Ferlushkaj Kotrri.

“Pena” opens with the genre of criticism, which starts with an honored name of Albanian letters, such as Visar Zhiti. In the article “The slave of time and the time of the slave, when the files are half opened…”, Zhiti makes a short analysis of the book “Rob. A biography for two times” of the journalist Beqir Sina.

Frank Shkreli comes to this issue of the magazine with the article “Gjekë Marinaj, the erudite Albanian-American mountain poet who is conquering the world with his poetry”, mentioning the consecutive achievements of the internationally successful poet, Gjekë Marinaj, the founder of the Association of Albanian Writers – Americans.

Raimonda Moisiu comes to the reader this time with a look at the poetry of the author Ermira Miter Kokomani, specifically for her book of poems “Lotus”.

Pal Ndrecaj, with his writing “Poetry as a mosaic of colorful pains” deals with some features of the creativity of the poet Luigj Çekaj, on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of his death.

Eris Rusi with “The path of light in the poetry of Julia Gjika” presents the reader with a foreword to the book “My friend is a bird” by Julia Gjika.

Bexhet Asani, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Albanian Spelling Congress, presents the research entitled “From the history of the Albanian literary language”.

The criticism column closes with the writing of Thanas Gjika: “Free competition promotes quality”. Mr. Gjika makes several assessments of the 20-year work of the Albanian-American Writers’ Association, focusing on the two-volume publication of the book “Albanian-American Writers’ Association 2001-2011” and “Albanian-American Writers’ Association 2012-2021 “, by Adnan Mehmet.

From literary creativity, in the magazine we have the opportunity to read from the genre of poetry and prose. Poetry comes to us through authors such as: Eli Rusto with: “Towards the skies”, “Me sy cele” and “You”; Arjana Fetahu Gaba with: “I left you at home, dear”, “Kulaçi” and “It’s useless and I don’t know what to write”; Hamdi Alaj with: “Order for the swallow”, “I’m the first” and “Seaside”.

While the prose is represented in this issue by the story “The Pianist” authored by Kostaq Duka.

The author Majlinda Pajaj reveals her worldview and future creative plans through an interview given to Eneida Jaçaj Lamçe, an interview she titled “The artistic spirit of Majlinda Pajaj will not remain only in poetry, she will soon come with a novel “.

The contribution of the well-known writer Visar Zhiti in this issue of the magazine also comes in the section of essays, where this time we will have the opportunity to read the essay entitled “Poetry in New York”. In this essay, Zhiti conveys to the reader the impressions of a unique personal experience such as the participation in “The Americas Poetry Festival of New York 2022”. In this festival, the writer Visar Zhiti was the only Albanian participant, among writers from all over the world.

As has been done in almost every issue of “Pena” magazine, this time too the editors provide the reader with information on the next winner of the “Nobel” prize in literature: the French writer Annie Ernaux.

The Chronicle of the Association of Albanian-American Writers is a column that is of great value to the serious reader and to those sympathetic to Albanian culture in the diaspora, because this column summarizes a series of activities, mainly promotional, where we have the opportunity to get to know the cultural life of the community. Among these activities, here is a list: Mëhill Velaj comes to the reader with an article about the inauguration of Bexhet Asan’s book “Unextinguished Arbor Fire”; Besim Muhadri brings an overview of the promotion of Idriz Çelaj’s books “For you and Arbana” and “The Art of Speech”.

In this chronicle, the journalist and at the same time the editor of the “Dielli” newspaper, Sokol Paja, comes with two articles: one for the promotion of the books “Another arrival” by Jeton Kelmendi and “Silence” by Bora Balaj, while the other about the days of the Albanian alphabet , calling it a literary party in “Vatra”.

Meanwhile, Emrije Krosi comes with an article for the “Adriatic Press” Publishing House, mentioning the mission and kindness of this publishing house towards Albanian creators in the diaspora, and not only.

Abdullah Troshupa, through the article “American poet Bill Wolak publishes new book in Albanian” informs us not only about the publication of the book “Each dream offers two mirrors” by Bill Wolak with translation by Jeton Kelmendi, but also about the membership of the poet Wolak in the Association of Albanian-American Writers.

Arjeta Ferlushkaj Kotrri with the article “Albanian Spelling Jubilee” brings a reflection of the solemn academy that the Association of Albanian-American Writers organized in “Vatër” on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Albanian Language Spelling Congress.

There was no way to miss it in the magazine “Pena” a space of gratitude and respect for names that gave a lot to Albanian culture here in America. In “In Memoriam” of this issue, the reader has the opportunity to browse writings by Keze Kozeta Zylo about Luigj Çekaj’s poetry: “Luigj Çekaj as a saint of poetry”. Meanwhile, Adnan Mehmeti commemorates this poet through the writing “The indelible memory of Luigj Çekaj, a member of the Association of Albanian-American Writers”.

The editors of the magazine have announced the untimely and unexpected loss of the journalist, former editor of “Dielli”, Mr. Dalip Greca, and make a short biography of him. The journalist and current editor of “Dielli”, Sokol Paja comes to this column with the article “Farewell Dalip Greca”, while Arjeta Ferlushkaj Kotrri with the article “They became three”, dedicated to Gjon Buçaj, Zef Bala and Dalip Greca.

The President of the Association of Albanian-American Writers, Mr. Mëhil Velaj, makes an announcement about the death of the writer Guri Stefani, accompanied by a short biography of him.

We believe that the reader who is passionate about books, is looking forward to the beloved column reflecting the publications of new works by members of the Association of Albanian-American Writers for the year 2022.