Irma Kurti Publishes Collection of Short Stories “The Ticket of a Canceled Trip” in the Philippines

The poet and writer Irma Kurti publishes her collection of short stories titled “The Ticket of a Canceled Trip” in the Philippines. The book was published by Poetry Planet Book Publishing House. The cover’s image is by photographer Biagio Fortini. In 2025, Irma Kurti’s books were translated and published in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Algeria, Guatemala, and the Philippines.

In the introductory notes written by the author, we read: “The stories in this book blend fragments of my imagination and personal experiences. They shed new light on my inner feelings and memories.

I have always written about love in my poetry and fiction, and I’ll never stop exploring this deep feeling. I am drawn to genuine emotion—a world waiting to be explored—and the universe of lovers. I love exploring my characters’ inner worlds, describing the unanswered whys that haunt them, and portraying suffering as natural and not a frightening aspect of life. I wander in the universe of love with my characters, merging with them. Their words, which come from the depths of their souls, and their destinies become mine.

I tend to describe both sides of love: happiness and disappointment. My characters fall in love and find happiness, yet also suffer and are disillusioned. This is where the strength to move forward comes from. I hope readers recognize their feelings, pains, and joys in this collection of short stories. It is the highest compliment when they tell me that they identify with my characters — with their feelings, hopes, and illusions.”

IRMA KURTI is an Albanian poet, writer, lyricist, journalist, and translator and has been writing since she was a child. She is a naturalized Italian and lives in Bergamo, Italy. All her books are dedicated to the memory of her beloved parents, Hasan Kurti and Sherife Mezini, who have supported and encouraged every step of her literary path.

Kurti has won numerous literary prizes and awards in Albania, Italy, Switzerland, USA, Philippines, Lebanon, and China. She was awarded the Universum Donna International Prize IX Edition 2013 for Literature and received a lifetime nomination as an Ambassador of Peace by the University of Peace in Switzerland. In 2020, she became the honorary president of WikiPoesia, the encyclopedia of poetry. In 2021, she was awarded the title of Liria (Freedom) by the Italian-Albanian community in Italy. She received the Leonardo da Vinci and Giacomo Leopardi prizes from the Chimera Arte Contemporanea Cultural Association of Lecce.

The same association also honored her with the European Ambassador Award and named her the Best Poet of the Year in 2022.

She received the Grazia Deledda medal and diploma of merit from the National Committee of WikiPoesia on the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great Italian poet. In 2023, she was awarded a Career Award from the Universum Academy Switzerland.

Irma Kurti is a member of the jury for several literary competitions in Italy. She is also a translator for the Ithaca Foundation in Spain.

Irma Kurti has published more than 115 works, including books of poetry, fiction, and translations.

Irma Kurti is one of the most translated and published Albanian poets. Her books have been translated and published in 23 countries.