Elegy for Kosovo
| Company type | Literary work |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Founder | Ismail Kadare |
| Products | Novel |
Elegy for Kosovo () represents an Albanian literary work authored by Ismail Kadare.
Historical background
The year 1389 witnessed the Ottoman Empire's military incursion into Kosovo during the event known as the Battle of Kosovo. Ottoman troops, commanded by Sultan Murad I, confronted Serbian forces led by Prince Lazar. After two days of combat, the Ottomans emerged victorious over the Balkan coalition and secured control of Kosovo. This confrontation has remained a significant emblem for both Serbian and Albanian nationalism, frequently cited by political leaders such as Slobodan Milošević and Ramush Haradinaj.
Kadare’s narrative presents a nationalistic reinterpretation of this historic clash, merging factual elements with historical fiction.
Characters
- Sultan Murad I: Commander of the Ottoman forces at Kosovo who perishes during the battle; his remains are interred in Kosovo.
- Prince Lazar: Serbian prince and leader of the Balkan alliance; taken prisoner in the aftermath, profoundly impacting the Serbian minstrel Vladan.
- Gjorg Shrkreli: Albanian bard summoned to perform traditional Albanian epics at the battle; escapes Kosovo alongside Vladan, Manolo, and other minstrels.
- Vladan: Serbian bard delivering Serbian epic poetry during the battle; flees Kosovo with Gjorg, Manolo, and fellow minstrels.
- Manolo: Walachian storyteller traveling with Gjorg and Vladan; invited to present performances at a noble’s castle.
- The "Great Lady": An elderly woman attending a noble banquet where Gjorg, Vladan, and Manolo perform; emotionally moved by their tales, she requests a recital at her funeral and is discovered deceased the following day.
Plot
The novel is structured into three parts: 1) The Ancient Battle, 2) The Great Lady, and 3) The Royal Prayer.
1. The Ancient Battle
This segment centers on Kadare’s depiction of the Battle of Kosovo and the defeat suffered by Balkan forces. Prince Lazar leads a coalition comprising various Balkan ethnic groups, united through his diplomatic efforts, to resist the Ottoman invasion of Kosovo. On the night before combat, Balkan princes convene to listen to their minstrels recite epic poetry celebrating each nation’s heritage. These performances expose deep-rooted animosities; Serbian bards warn that Albanians are seizing Kosovo, while Albanian minstrels counter that Serbs are claiming it.
The next day sees the Ottoman army triumph over the Balkan coalition; Sultan Murad I dies in battle while Prince Lazar is captured.
2. The Great Lady
This section examines the consequences through the perspectives of two minstrels—Albanian Gjorg and Serbian Vladan—who must overcome longstanding Albania-Serbia hostilities amid the disintegration of Balkan states. Both acknowledge that their internal divisions contributed to their downfall. During their journey alongside Hungarian refugees fleeing conflict, Vladan discards his gusla in despair. The refugees, unfamiliar with Balkan rivalries, inquire about performing before princes; initially divisive songs later provoke amusement.
In a symbolic act of reconciliation, Gjorg lends Vladan his lahuta, an Albanian stringed instrument akin to the gusla, after Vladan loses his own. Among these refugees is a Turk attempting to adopt Christianity without abandoning Islam; he faces execution for maintaining both faiths simultaneously.
Subsequently, Gjorg, Vladan, and Manolo receive an invitation to a castle where their war-themed songs are condemned by the lord. An elderly lady defends their art and requests a different story instead; she enjoys this performance but passes away overnight. The minstrels are then summoned to perform at her funeral.
3. The Royal Supplication
The concluding part is delivered from the perspective of Sultan Murad I, who lies deceased on the Field of the Blackbirds following the Battle of Kosovo. He expresses sorrow over his burial far from his native land in the Balkans and reflects on how Albanians and Serbs continue to clash over Kosovo rather than collaborating to create a unified future.
Themes
- Advocacy for Western involvement in Balkan matters
- The safeguarding of ancient heritage through oral traditions such as epic poetry
Publication History
The original Albanian edition, titled Elegji për Kosovën, was released by Kadare in 1998. The English translation, completed by Peter Constantine, was published by Arcade Publishing in 2000.