Ismail Kadare, an Albanian writer, known for exploring Balkan history and culture through his poetry and fiction, passed away at the age of 88.
Kadare's editor, Bujar Hudhri, confirmed his death after he suffered cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital.
Born in 1936 in Gjirokastër, Albania, Kadare grew up in the shadow of dictator Enver Hoxha's regime, influencing his literary themes.
Kadare's novels, such as "The General of the Dead Army," "The Siege," and "The Palace of Dreams," often used allegory and myth to examine contemporary society under communism.
He moved to Paris shortly before the collapse of Albania's communist government in 1990, where his international reputation continued to grow.
Kadare's works have been translated into over 40 languages, and he received numerous awards, including the Man Booker International Prize.
Despite censorship and political pressures, Kadare navigated between artistic expression and survival, sometimes facing bans on his works in Albania.
He remained influential in Albanian literary circles, holding positions in the writers' union and serving as a delegate in the People's Assembly.