From "Vrima" to protests, Rita Petro, the story of a woman who challenged every taboo

 

Writer and poet Rita Petro was the next guest on the "Pasvon" podcast, where she shared her thoughts on civic protests, literature, social phenomena, and the challenges she has encountered during her career as an author.

During the interview with Alfred Lela, Petro focused particularly on the protest that has been taking place for weeks in Tirana, describing it as a natural reaction to the dissatisfaction accumulated over the years.

"The Albanians' cup is full."
According to her, the protest cannot be explained by a single event, but is the result of a long accumulation of injustices and disappointments.

"Injustices have become a mountain. People's cups have been filled. Maybe the last cause was the one who spilled the cup, but the anger had been building for a long time ," she said.

Petro also praised the presence of young people in the protest, comparing the situation to the movements of the '90s, when she herself had participated in the protests along with her family.

"I like the adrenaline of dissent."
The poet expressed her support for the spirit of civic dissent, arguing that societies need to react when what she called "stagnant water" is created.

"I'm always on the adrenaline of protest and dissent. When everything remains unchanged for a long time, society needs to shake up," she said.

Mimoza Ahmeti, a phenomenon beyond literature
An important part of the interview was dedicated to the writer Mimoza Ahmeti and her appearance on a reality television show.

According to Petros, Ahmeti's success is related to the fact that she has never lived according to conventional labels and that the public has seen in her a rare kind of authenticity.

"Moza has always been special. People have found in her the bohemian spirit and the freedom to be herself without complexes ," said Petro.

"The Hole" and the clash with conservatism
The poet also recalled the numerous controversies that accompanied her book "The Hole", a work that, according to her, continues to remain among the most discussed in her work.

She indicated that public petitions were organized against her, initially for the book and then for the title "Poet Laureate".

“I've been petitioned twice. Once for 'The Hole' and once when I received the title of 'Poet Laureate.' But that only made the book more popular ,” she said.

Petro defended the idea that there are no dirty words in literature, only such interpretations.

Migjeni, the poet of the soul
When asked about the most important figures in Albanian literature, Rita Petro singled out Migjeni, whom she described as the poet who brought the "language of instinct" to Albanian literature.

She also praised Ismail Kadare as a great personality of Albanian culture, emphasizing his role in the recognition of Albanian literature in the world.

Love, age and freedom to choose
At the end of the conversation, Petro also focused on human relationships, emphasizing that love should not be limited by age, but by lack of harmony.

"I don't want an old man at heart. More than beauty, what matters is the charm and energy that a person transmits," she said.