Teodor Keko

Teodor Keko was born in the year 1959; he died in the year 2002. He was a writer from Albania.

source of picture: gazetatelegraf.com

Life

Keko was born to the family of a cinematographer parents Endri and Xhanfize Keko in Tirana, the capital city of the country. He studied at the Qemal Stafa High School in Tirana. N the year 1979, he began his studies for the Albanian language and literature in the University of Tirana, and it was there that he graduated in the year 1983. At the time of his studies, he met his wife called Xhulieta that studied English Language and literature and the both of them became primary school teachers then. The parents of his wife are diplomats and they served among others in Algeria and in china. They both had two sons in the 1980s, Martin and Elio.

Career

Keko worked as a journalist for the literary newspaper called Drita. After the dissolve of the Stalinist system in the year 1990, he worked as a journalist for the daily newspaper called Koha Jone and later he became the editor of the political newspaper called Aleanca and also the editor of the weekly cultural and artistic magazine called Aks. Along with the Albanian journalist called Arben Kallamata, he discovered the Independent League of Journalists. They were also involved in the foundation of the Albanian section of the Association of European Journalists. On the 10^th and 18^th March 1994, Keko and his publisher called Prec Zogaj received assault and were injured heavily. Keko was afraid to leave his house for many weeks. After his death in the year 2002, the wife and the children relocated to Netherlands.

For many years, Keko contributed immensely to the politics of the country, and for a legislative session in the country, he was a member of the parliament for the Democratic Alliance Party. Keko started publishing his first works in the 1980s, which was the time he became popular for short stories. 

Works

His first work, the novel called Loja was highly praised. The works he did include at least the 15 volumes of poetry, novels and drama works, especially short stories. The novel, Lajmetarja e Vdekjeve was written at the time of the political era change in the country. The last work he did called Hollësira Fatale, became the bestseller in the country in the year 2001. The works he did are currently being translated to English language by Robert Elsie.

Bibliography

• Loja (The Game), 1990
• Lajmëtarja e vdekjeve (The Harbinger of Deaths), 1991
• Pretenca (The Pretence), 1994
• Shënimet e një gruaje (The Notes of a Woman), 1995
• Dymbëdhjetë shenjtorë, një profet dhe disa njerëz (Twelve Saints, a Prophet and Some People), 1997
• Prostituta (The Prostitute), 1997;
• Made in Albania (Made in Albania), 1998
• Hollësira fatale (Fatal Details), 2001.