PARALLEL MOTIFS OF TWO ALBANIAN BALLADS
PARALLEL MOTIFS OF TWO ALBANIAN BALLADS

Author(s): Ylberza Halili
Subject(s): Customs / Folklore, Albanian Literature, Migration Studies
Published by: Instituti Albanologjik i Prishtinës
Keywords: Ballad of Migration; Migration; Nizam; Folk Motifs; Albanian Ballads; Kurbet;
Summary/Abstract: The folk ballad as an artistic creation presents life as experienced by the individual and shaped by their spiritual world. Consequently, the conflict of the individual with their environment and society, with themselves, and with fate as a metaphysical conflict, is a permanent phenomenon of the ballad genre. Albanian ballads are characterized by a deep lyricism that is produced by strong emotions as a result of sacrifice and the pain of people who have suffered it. They reflect the historical reality of the lives of our people, and frequently feature tragedy; indeed, they echo problems that have plagued all peoples. Ballads of migration in particular are painful folk creations for young men who have had to leave their country, often for economic reasons, leaving behind their families. This paper aims to analyze two such ballads: “Vijnë vaporat” (Steamers are coming) and “Kur e përcolla ylberin” (When I said Farewell to Rainbow) whose main topic is the trauma of migration, a reality experienced by many Albanians during different historical periods. The lyrical hero of both ballads re+6veals their longing for those who are far away. I will focus on the shared theme of these ballads and what other connections there may be between them, including parallel motifs.

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