15 April 2016. On the occasion of World Book Day on 23 April, the Italian Cultural Institute of Tirana—in collaboration with the country’s National Library—will introduce the Albanian readers who will be part of the 2016 Strega Prize jury. The Minister of Culture, Mirela Kumbaro will be in attendance. The event is scheduled for Friday, 22 April (11:00AM) at Tirana’s National Library. The Strega Prize for literature, Italy’s most prestigious, was created in 1947 in Rome by Maria and Goffredo Bellonci, with the support of Guido Alberto. Alberto was owner of the Strega Alberti di Benvenuto distillery, producer of a liquor bearing the same name. The prize is awarded ever year to a work of fiction, written in Italian, whose first edition is published between 1 April of the prior year, and 31 March of the year underway. The prize is voted by a group called the “Amici della domenica,” men and women from the world of culture. Voting takes place in two stages. The first, to determine a list of five finalists, will take place 15 June. The second, and announcement of the winner, take place 8 July. In addition to the Amici della domenica, the historical voting body consisting of 400 individuals, the jury also includes 60 “Strong readers,” selected by booksellers from amongst their clients. These rotate ever year. Finally, it includes 15 Reading Groups selected by schools, universities, and Italian Cultural Institutes abroad. This year, Albania will be part of the Strega jury with its own Reading Group. For the first time, Albanian readers—selected from amongst translators, publishers, and students and lovers of Italian culture—will be invited to judge works of Italian fiction. (Red)
