Books
Albanika Press publishes selectively, releasing only a small number of books so that each project receives sustained attention and care. The catalog includes The Beauty of the Earth, an illustrated collection of traditional Arbëreshë fairy tales from Sicily; Old Neno’s Stories, the first English translation of Musine Kokalari’s prose; and The Story of Slim Shady, an original illustrated picture book.
The Beauty of the Earth
Mesagjeritë Shqiptare — an imprint of Albanika Press
Drawn from Giuseppe Schirò’s 1923 collection, The Beauty of the Earth brings together fifteen traditional fairy tales from the Arbëreshë, the historic Albanian-speaking communities of Sicily, in a new English translation by Albert Lulushi.
Drawing on both the Arbërisht and Italian source texts, the tales retain the strangeness, humor, darkness, and wonder of their traditional storytelling world.
Seventy-three original illustrations by Lulushi accompany the collection, creating a richly imagined visual journey for adults and older children.
"A little time passed,
and much time passed..."
Audience: Adults and older children
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook
Status: Forthcoming October 15, 2026
Old Neno's Stories
Mesagjeritë Shqiptare — an imprint of Albanika Press
A collection of short stories by Musine Kokalari, widely recognized as the first woman in Albania to publish literary prose. First written in 1939-1940, these stories portray everyday life in the historic town of Gjirokastër during a period of social and generational change.
Told through the distinctive voice of Old Neno—observant, sharp, and deeply rooted in tradition—the stories capture the rhythms of communal life: family tensions, neighborly exchanges, departures for work abroad, and the shifting roles of women in a changing society. Through dialogue, humor, and the cadences of oral storytelling, the collection preserves the voices and textures of a community in transition.
This illustrated English-language edition — the first translation of Kokalari's prose into English — presents selected stories developed with attention to literary integrity, historical context, and long-term accessibility.
"Here, where I was born and raised — in this mud I want to turn to dust."
Audience: Adult readers; literary and translation audiences; academic and cultural institutions
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook
Status: Available
Availability & Distribution
Albanika Press titles are available through major online retailers and institutional channels, including libraries and bookstores. The press prioritizes accurate cataloging and long-term availability.
Albanika Press
Independent publisher of thoughtful books.
Phone: +1-202-854-0140
Email: inquiries@albanika.com
© 2026 Albanika Press. All rights reserved.
Imprints:
Mesagjeritë Shqiptare — Translation & Cultural Preservation
Slim Shady — Illustrated Books & Series for Children