The Aesthetics of Arbëresh Poetry with Religious Character

Abstract

Arbëresh poets, an Albanian ethnic minority group that has lived in Italy since the XV century, have written literature of great aesthetic value. From the beginning of written Albanian literature, names of Arbëresh poets have appeared. Their creations have played an important role in the transmission of the national Albanian identity. A part of this identity is also religious, which appears frequently in their works. The character of this poetry is artistic mastery overlapping the themes of the religious and human experience, the eternal and the temporary. Through their works, Arbëresh poets aim to encourage and strengthen national self-awareness. To begin with, the artists who are presented also functioned as priests, namely; Lekë Matrënga, Jul Variboba, Nikolla Keta. Afterwards, the artists Jeronim De Rada and Zef Serembe will be considered, who though they did not have a direct connection with the Christian faith, would use terms, symbols and Christian metaphors to enrich their works. The works of these creators is a live testimony that the religious element does not impoverish a literary work, but on the contrary, in most cases, it enriches it.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n11p491