Ben Andoni is a journalist and literary translator from Albania. He has been collaborator or editor of some of the leading newspapers and journals of Albania. He was also correspondent of the Belgrade news agency BETA and of other foreign agencies and newspapers. Currently, he is also is collaborating with ORF, Austrian National Radio Television. Meanwhile, he has translated from Serbian, Croatian and English literature more than 20 prominent authors. He has also prepared several books history, geographical issues and journalism.
- My cultural activity is simply a component in the urban ecology of Tirana, my city of origin. It is a kind of contribution to the study of the relationships of living organisms within the context of the urban environment of the Albanian capital city. Culture is conveying the values that are part of this social, political, cultural, and economic space. In this surrounding, every creative person seeks to prove, to express a critical opinion, to self-realize, to collaborate and to bring the best values of the sphere of art to which he or she belongs. The socio-cultural environment is looking for an identity and an increasingly contemporary physiognomy. Concerning my discipline, I believe that translation is one of the areas that has influenced Albania in terms of conveying values of modern literature.The Albanian literature and readership need to be fed with the best contemporary literature in good translations. Personally, I have brought to the Albanian readership some of the well-known authors of Serbian, Bosnian and Croatian literature of the last 70-80 years, who have been well received but also have influenced for a different view of literature in many local authors.
- From a philosophical point of view, the cultural space builds its own dignity. Which means that an individual, within a certain space, would produce and act in its best values of the time it represents. Thus, the model of the city and those among its individuals who have influenced in culture, cultural studies, the field of translations, have been the reason why I am more fond of a city and its inhabitants. Meanwhile, I am trying to create a pattern that is an attribute of experience, culture and ethical standards, and that seems to be missing nowadays, I could say. Outlining a good model and aligning with good cultural models of the past are my goals, but also a requirement that has to justify all my work so far.
- Choosing a residency is one of those pleasures that give room to the experience you are wishing for. My choice of Belgrade was related to the fact that I had never stayed for such a long period in the capital of a country of which I have translated so many books. Moreover, I had to touch the spoken language and above all to get involved in the urban life of the city. The residence chosen by “Krokodil” was perfect. Not just for comfort and quietness, but for several things of all kinds. I was living near the “Pionir” Sports Palace; I had a natural park not far from my place, and above all: I could reach the city by bus very quickly. Neighbours enabled me within everyday life to have ordinary conversations but also to get to know the Belgrade social environment better, while different intellectuals extended my acquaintance with the city to other ranges. Well-known local translators, such as Jelena Stakić; well-known writers such as Vladislav Bajac, Dragan Velikić, Vladimir Arsenijević, etc., opened many windows for me regarding my knowledge of Belgrade and the Serbian culture.
- I am translating, I also have written a few short stories and many articles for the press. I think translation is the main door for me in the realm of art. The answer to why I translate is very straightforward: It helps me to get lost for a while when I want to be a mere spectator. It complements me in recognition, but mainly it gives me the opportunity to make a modest contribution to the national culture.
