The renowned Albanian academic and literary figure Rexhep Qosja has passed away at the age of 89. He was laid to rest today in a private ceremony attended only by close family members, in accordance with his final wish.
According to an official family announcement, Qosja was buried on April 23, 2026, with no public ceremony or institutional participation. The family emphasized that his explicit request was for privacy, requesting that no formal reception be organized and that all public or institutional events be avoided. They also asked for respect for their privacy during the mourning period.
Born on June 25, 1936, in Vuthaj, Gucia, Rexhep Qosja was widely recognized as one of the most influential Albanian intellectuals of his generation. He built a distinguished career as a writer, literary critic, and historian, contributing significantly to Albanian cultural and academic thought.
As a novelist, Qosja is best known for his 1974 work “Vdekja më vjen nga sy të tillë”, which has been translated into multiple languages. His literary output also includes notable works such as “Një Dashuri dhe Shtatë Mëkate” (2003), “Nata është dita jonë” (2007), “Bijtë e askujt” (2010), and “Sekretet e Zbuluara” (2020), among others. His writings often explored themes of identity, society, and the historical experience of Albanians in the Balkans.
Beyond literature, Qosja was the first Doctor of Philological Sciences in Kosovo and authored numerous academic studies, anthologies, and monographs, including a three-volume history of Albanian literature during the Romantic period. His scholarly work remains a key reference in Albanian literary studies.
He also contributed to broader historical and political discourse, writing extensively on the history of the Albanian people in the Balkans and participating in discussions related to the peace process that followed the Kosovo War in 1999.
Rexhep Qosja’s death marks the end of a significant era in Albanian intellectual life, leaving behind a legacy of literature, scholarship, and cultural influence.