Muddy Rain: Mero Baze's poetry explores Albania’s dilemmas

TIRANA, Nov 19, 2024 – Albanian journalist Mero Baze has turned to poetry to voice truths beyond the reach of journalism. In his new collection, Muddy Rain, Baze tackles themes of identity and homeland, offering what he calls a purer form of expression free from compromise or censorship.

During an interview for MCN TV, Baze highlighted the opening poem, Homeland, as a reflection on Albania’s modern challenges. “Our homeland faces many questions in a society shaped by global influences,” he said, expressing concern over younger generations losing their connection to national identity.

A truer voice in literature

Baze described poetry as an unfiltered medium compared to journalism, where self-censorship persists. “Even in freedom, we struggle to tell all truths,” he noted. He called literature Albania’s enduring voice of authenticity, capable of capturing both past struggles and present realities.

The poet lamented a void in Albanian literature following the era of iconic writers like Ismail Kadare, saying, “Our homeland isn’t harsher or poorer than before, but it feels less loved.”

Reviving rural Albania

Turning to rural decline, Baze criticized Albania’s neglect of its southern villages, where depopulation has emptied communities. He called for policies to revive agriculture, housing, and local industries. “The south must not become a museum of history—it should be a vital part of Albania,” he said, warning against over-prioritizing coastal tourism at the expense of rural life.