In a conversation with Alda Bardhyl on News24, Helena shared details from Ismail Kadare's birthday. She said that she has received many congratulatory messages, which she will have to read to her husband, since, as she says, he does not answer the phone.
Even though so many years have passed, Helena reveals the secret to defying the years as she points out that they still write letters to each other. Helena Kadare points out that after years of living in this country, "coming to Albania has enriched our lives. There are benefactors outside, but love is only here."
Helena Kadare's conversation with Alda Bardhyl
Helena Kadare: Events such as Ismail's birthday are something that involves many people. This starts with my phone charging and today has been a day with many wishes that I have to read to Ismail. He doesn't answer the phone himself, so I have to thank everyone. There were many, many congratulations. Coming here to Albania has enriched our lives.
For so many years with a man like Kadare, do you have a definition of this relationship that was beyond the husband-wife relationship?
Helena Kadare: As you said, this is a completely man-woman report! It is also something else, that the way I experienced it was a life full of light.
What have you done to challenge the years, usually the years separate two people, in different love relationships, while in your case it has been more interesting?
Helena Kadare: Asking me now, the words of a writer came to mind, that 'love is not looking into each other's eyes, but both together in one direction'. Maybe it's this. I cannot define it in general terms. No reason alone stands. There are many reasons together. But what brings them together is the common love for literature. No day of ours is similar to the days that pass or those to come. We always agree in general that we continue to live together.
How has this ritual continued, what are they writing to each other about now?
Helena Kadare: That letter was the reason why we met. I and my entire generation, my class adored Ismail's poetry, then he had published a book and we knew it by heart. At that time I was in high school and we were studying literature. Some of the stories that used to be published in the press of the day. Ismail, who was in Moscow at the time and had read a story, sent me a congratulatory letter. This was a joy not only for me but also for the whole gymnasium. Everyone found out that this letter had arrived, this was the reason why they then continued their correspondence.
You ask me what letter I write now? Since we now live together constantly, the letters are a bit of a pimple on the back, "I'll be late", "I'll come later, or sooner" "what time is that movie we're going to see?".