Three Poems by Xrysoula Foufa

1-
Beauty

Beauty belongs to manners.
A person's charm is his character.
Beautiful deeds weigh humanity.
Speech and thoughts 
should be diamonds 
of love and good will.
Beauty belongs to a good heart 
that feels compassion 
and offers healing and help.
A nice conduct 
is a great honour to the world.
Culture and peace 
in the wind of our life 
encompass the meaning of beauty.
Beauty equals a heavenly touch of souls.
□

2-
The fiery woman 

Having left the fire back 
she feels free.
Danger cannot be in her way .
She has been turned into 
a risky woman 
to win herself back.
Her determination 
signifies a struggle 
to her new beginning.
The flames behind 
have devoured her past.
□

3-
War and man

War will conquer us 
if we do not stop the hostilities.
Earth and sky will curse us 
with no remorse.
Man has intruded 
to all forms of life on the planet .
If there is no stopping sign 
he will become a vampire victim.
War is more powerful 
than it shows.
It has no mercy.
□

©® Xrysoula Foufa 
Greece



Born 1971 in Farsala, Greece, Χrysoula Foufa is an educator, poet, and public figure whose life bridges literature, pedagogy, and civic service. She graduated with honors from the Department of English Language and Literature, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in 1993. For six years she directed her own tutoring school before entering public service through the national ASEP examinations. Appointed first to the high school of Astakos, Messolongi, she has taught English at the 1st General Lyceum of Farsala since 2000. Committed to lifelong learning, she has pursued seminars in pedagogy, psychology, ICT, and environmental protection, enriching both her classroom and her community engagement.

A bilingual poet writing in Greek and English, she is drawn to the lyrical intersections of place, memory, and travel. Her poetry has been distinguished with multiple awards in national and international competitions. Her work appears in poetry anthologies, newspapers, print and online literary magazines. Selected Greek poems have been translated into Portuguese and English. She has represented Greece at International Poetry Festivals, carrying the voice of Thessaly to wider audiences. Deeply rooted in public life, she serves as a city councillor and is a former vice mayor of Farsala. From 2018 to 2024 she presided over a local cultural club dedicated to preserving the traditions and customs of Epirus. She currently sits on the Board of the Academy of Farsala and the Board of the Farsala Chess Club, fostering intellectual and cultural life in her hometown. Beyond her professional and civic roles, she finds inspiration in literature, poetry, travel, and dance—arts that continually inform her writing and teaching.

Nature's Lap, a Poem by Rajeshri Senapati Gogoi

Where the concrete ends and the soft grass starts,
Nature opens her arms to our heavy hearts.
A canopy woven in emerald and jade,
Offers a sanctuary, a cool, dappled shade.
​The whispers of pine trees, a low, ancient hum,
Inviting the weary and restless to come.
Beneath the vast ceiling of azure and white,
The shadows of morning dance into the light.
​A silver-tongued creek over pebbles will play,
Washing the dust of the city away.
The fragrance of petrichor, deep and so sweet,
Rises to welcome our wandering feet.
​No clocks mark the rhythm, no sirens intrude,
In this temple of silence and soft solitude.
The mountains stand sentry, rugged and steep,
Guarding the secrets the valley will keep.
​We lean on the cedar, we rest by the fern,
To the basics of breathing we slowly return.
The pulse of the planet, a steady, calm beat,
Provides us a refuge from worry and heat.
​With wildflowers blooming in chaotic grace,
Time slows its frantic and feverish pace.
In the cradle of earth, where the wild spirits roam,
The soul finds its footing and finally feels home.

- Rajeshri Senapati Gogoi 
Dibrugarh, Assam, India

ANGELA KOSTA IN: “RE-EMBRACING POETRY” AT THE GENERAL CONSULATE OF THE REPUBLIC BY ALBANIA IN MILAN (ITALY)

On May 15, 2026, at the General Consulate of the Republic of Albania in Milan, the important cultural event “Re-Embracing Poetry” took place — an intense and emotional gathering dedicated to literature, the art of words, and the cultural dialogue between Albania and Italy.

The event, which began at 4:00 PM, featured the books of authors Fatmir Gjata and Angela Kosta, prominent figures in the contemporary cultural scene, who through their writing build bridges between peoples, memories, and emotions.

The event was officially opened by Consul Anila Pojani, whose speech emphasized the importance of culture as a tool for unity, identity, and international dialogue. Her words highlighted the value of poetry and literature in keeping cultural roots alive and in strengthening the historical ties between the Albanian and Italian communities.

Later, Dr. Francesca Gallello, publisher of Veliero Publishing House, addressed the audience, expressing deep admiration for the featured authors and emphasizing the narrative and poetic strength of their works, capable of crossing geographical and linguistic borders to reach the hearts of readers.

A significant contribution also came from Luljeta Cobanaj, a key figure in the organization of the event, whose commitment helped ensure the success of an evening filled with artistic sensitivity and emotional participation.

Among the honored guests who enriched the event with their presence was also Loris Castriota Skanderbegh II, descendant of the legendary Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. His participation gave the event a strong symbolic and historical value, recalling the deep connection between memory, identity, and Albanian cultural heritage.

One of the most moving moments of the evening was the extraordinary interpretation of poems and literary passages by Englantina Teja, who, with intensity and artistic sensitivity, gave voice to the texts of the two authors, engaging the audience in a poetic journey filled with emotions, reflections, and evocative imagery.

Special attention was dedicated to Angela Kosta, an author who over the years has distinguished herself through an intense and profoundly human literary production. Her poetry explores universal themes such as love, nostalgia, memory, female identity, pain, and hope, successfully blending stylistic elegance with emotional authenticity. Through delicate yet powerful writing, Angela Kosta today represents one of the most appreciated voices of contemporary Albanian literature within the European cultural diaspora.

Her works do not merely narrate personal emotions but become instruments of connection between different cultures, promoting intercultural dialogue and enhancing the richness of Balkan artistic roots. Her presence at the event once again confirmed the fundamental role of poetry as a universal language, capable of breaking down linguistic barriers and creating closeness among peoples.

The evening concluded with an elegant convivial cocktail reception, during which guests, authors, and participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas, share opinions, and strengthen those cultural bridges that for centuries have united Albania and Italy through art, traditions, history, and shared values.

“Re-Embracing Poetry” was not merely a literary event, but a true encounter of souls, memories, and cultures, destined to leave a significant mark on the contemporary Italo-Albanian cultural landscape.

Heartfelt thanks go to all those who participated, collaborated, and contributed with passion and dedication to the realization of this extraordinary cultural initiative.

THE PSYCHOPATHIC CROW BY MARIA TERESA LIUZZO

[THE EXERCISE OF SATIRE THROUGH THE METRIC OF THE NURSERY RHYME]

As naughty as the wind, the ''blind of Sorrento''.

One circle for the barrel and one for the wine

draws water to his mill.

What a disaster, what a flood,

will it be Etna or Vesuvius?

Early minstrel playing the mandola.

The unrepentant Topo Gigio is Neptune with the trident.

It will be false it will be true,

who is the Woman of Mystery

who marries Jesus in the monastery?

The hag is in a puddle,

the mozzarella arrives by carriage.

Topo Gigio is impertinent, his crush is harmful:

loves risk and ricotta!

Poor guy is under guard.

''Don't betray me black sea''

don't turn me into Calimero!

What a tragedy, what a misfortune,

even the tapir escaped to the moon.

The cursed hag continued her revenge.

''You are nothing but a sloth,

you are and will remain my slave.

There is an egg for you

from the crooked hag.

The hag is contagious

he is truly a black soul.

Poor ''Cristi'' his pawns,

she is the swindling march

sends them to war as infantry:

by envy consumed, by fools praised,

the psychopathic hag!

''You must not publish it

intimate to his ''rats'' his jesters.

No, not her!

It hurt

she wasn't fooled,

no, not her, on your portal!

Close and darken the other ''door''

leave me a big break.

My heart is too bitter,

be my donkey too!

Play your cards well

I know you like ''milk''.

My face as a sole

I will give you my daughter.

I love your tail wagging

with my verse you must go.

Cast your line too,

I am the nun from ''Monza''.

I decide your fate, play your cards well:

obey or it's blackmail!

I made a big mistake

I will soon be his target.

It reduces us to darkness

his dress is LIGHT!

□

SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF MARIA TERESA LIUZZO – ITALIA

Maria Teresa Liuzzo was born in Saline di Montebello Jonico and lives in Reggio di Calabria (Italy). President of the Lyric-Dramatic Association "P. Benintende" - Journalist - Publisher - Director of the literary magazine "LE MUSE" - Deputy Director of the television news program "Artes e Tv" - Essayist - Lyricist - Literary and Art Critic - Public Relations Director - Translator - Opinionist - Writer - Philosopher - Editorialist - Assistant Director - Talent Scout - Socio-cultural Operator - Foreign Correspondent - Editor of Italian and foreign newspapers and magazines - Editor of poetry and fiction series - Doctor of Psychology (Leibniz University Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA) - Professor of Philosophy and Modern Literature (USA) - Executive Member of SIRIUS MEDIA (Bonn - Germany); Member of the World Writers' Organization WOW (Russia); Important Member of the Academic Senate of Leibniz University (USA). Maria T. Liuzzo is a foreign correspondent, editor, and contributor to hundreds of Italian and foreign magazines and newspapers, websites, and blogs. She has published 35 books, including five "coming-of-age" novels. She has translated authors from five continents into Italian. Her work has been translated into 32 languages.

Two Poems by Astrit Lulaj

WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT YOU 

You knew me well, with every single flaw,

My habits, scars, the ugly parts of me.

With patient care, you slowly healed them all,

How could I not call you kindness, honestly? 

You showed me pain I carried deep inside,

Where silent tears would fall within my soul.

Yet with one smile, you made me feel alive,

How could I not call you Saint Mary whole? 

You forgave every mistake I made,

My foolish steps, my moments gone astray.

You held my hand each time I fell and failed,

What can I call you but God, in every way? 

You spoke to me beneath the moonlit sky,

We chased away our sleep, just you and me.

You filled my life with dreams and color bright,

And I will always call you: love, endlessly.

□

MOONLIT NIGHT 

I left the tavern, left it all behind,

Where heavy smoke and wine hung in the air;

Upon the road, so sudden, did I find

You like a breeze that met me unaware. 

The moon is naked, glowing at its height,

Tonight we wander, lost in blissful grace;

O mighty God, you’re poor compared tonight,

For I have claimed the heavens as my place. 

The girl is mine, she lingers by my side,

The road is mine, so open and so free;

The moon is mine, upon the wind to ride,

Drunk without wine, that’s what I’ve come to be. 

With wings of love, so boundless and so bright,

While people sleep and streets are silent, clear,

I pray to God to grant my days this light:

To turn them into nights with moons held dear.

□

- ASTRIT LULAJ

Albania 

AUTHOR PROFILE 

Astrit Lulaj was born in Berat on November 1, 1968, and has lived for several years in the coastal city of Durrës, Albania. An engineer and jurist by profession, he maintains a deep and constant devotion to poetic creation. He has published two poetry collections, The Soul’s Journey (Il Viaggio dell’Anima) and One is Missing… (Manca uno…), and is currently finalizing two new volumes. The first gathers his most recent lyrical work, while the second represents his first major engagement with the poetic adaptation into Albanian of classical and contemporary authors from world literature. He writes primarily in Albanian but is passionately dedicated to translating and recreating poetry from Italian, Russian, Turkish, Spanish, German, Arabic, and English. Through his work, he seeks to build bridges between different cultures and literary sensibilities by reinterpreting fundamental texts of world literature in a new poetic light. His poems have appeared in numerous national and international anthologies, and he is an active participant in literary competitions and a regular contributor to various cultural journals.

FATE IS NOT RANDOM, A POEM BY CVIJA PERANOVIĆ KOJĆ

Every step I have taken

was already written:

in the shadows of ancestors,

in the silence of stars,

in the dust of ancient roads.

It was never by chance

that life led me

through breaks and farewells,

through sleepless nights,

through wounds that burned

and healed.

Every pain carried a voice,

a story I did not know,

yet one that shaped me

like water shapes stone—

quietly, relentlessly,

with time.

Fate is not punishment,

not a heavy burden...

It is a weaving of light and shadow,

an eternal dance,

an understanding without words,

an answer we carry within ourselves.

My wounds are paths.

My silences are strength,

and each new day –

a gift I did not ask for,

but for which I always

hoped.

- CVIJA PERANOVIĆ KOJĆ

Austria 

About the poet-

Cvija Peranović Kojć was born in 1968 in Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina. After completing high school in her hometown, she continued her education and life in Austria, where she graduated from the Higher School of Economics, while simultaneously advancing her knowledge of the German language. Later, she studied psychology at the Pedagogical Academy in Brčko, combining insights from economics, languages, and psychology with a deep interest in human nature and creativity. She currently lives and creates in Austria, where she is actively engaged in literary and scientific work. She is the author of seven independent books – four for adults: Where Love Unites, We Build Bridges of Happiness, The Other Side of Life, and Alchemy of Mind and Soul, as well as three books for children: Let’s Play, The Playful World of a Little Schoolchild, and The Upside-Down World of Children. Her work intertwines poetic expression, psychological depth, and a humanistic message, all conveyed through a recognizable spiritual and contemplative tone. Her writings are featured in numerous anthologies and collections in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the wider region, and around the world. Her poetry and prose have been translated into several foreign languages and published in renowned literary journals across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Cvija is a member and ambassador of various international and regional literary associations and academies. She has participated in numerous international poetry festivals, where she represents her homeland and region with dignity and inspiration. She is the recipient of many awards and recognitions for her contribution to literature, culture, and social dialogue. Her writing is seen as a bridge between the inner world and universal values – love, freedom, spirituality, and truth. Through her work and public engagement, she promotes the idea of connecting people through art, the written word, and humanity.

Spring Circle Dance, a Poem by Prof. Ljiljana Samardžić

As I listen to the Spring Circle Dance

of our good neighbours, the Romanians,

my soul expands, leaving my body, soaring above the beautiful Balkans...

I look at the mountains and hills

covered in dense forests,

the fields, plains, lakes,

and rivers flowing into 

the blue waters of four seas.

I see the traces 

of long-vanished civilizations,

the restored cities

of glorious Roman emperors,

churches and monasteries,

some still in ruins,

others rebuilt,

when the conquerors finally left 

these lands.

I see modern buildings too,

over a hundred meters high,

offering views of half the Balkans...

In love with the beauty of this land 

and its warm-hearted people,

full of spirit and diverse talents,

enslaved since time immemorial

by invading hordes,

from both the East and the West,

who burned, destroyed, killed, raped...

But things were built again,

all from the start,

and children were born...

Greedy and evil,

the conquerors always played 

the same card,

within the Balkan mixture 

of faiths and nations,

of the same roots, similar customs, music, folk dances, "kolas",

and languages...

Divide and conquer 

was the proven card

of every invader of these lands.

If only the Balkan people

respected themselves more,

staying healthy,

in both body and spirit,

as they, still, now are...

If only they resisted the decadence spreading toward the Balkans

from the wealthiest parts of the world, 

those who buy everything,

even a heart ripped out 

of a living, kidnapped human being...

If only we didn't wage wars

among themselves,

committing against one another unprecedented atrocities,

as in the notorious "Yellow House",

at the dawn of the twenty-first century...

If we could all 

just hold hands,

forming one great "kolo",

building together our future...

If only all that could be 

and the hatred among us could vanish...

If only...

Will it ever be?

- Prof. Ljiljana Samardžić

Serbia

A special note about the poem by author:-

This beautiful Spring Dance (Hora Primăverii) was composed by the Romanian composer Vladimir Radu in 1966. I had heard it before on YouTube, and then I came across it again on TikTok; since then, I’ve been listening to it daily for ten days...Last night, this melody brought me back to life after watching a program about the crimes in the "Yellow House," committed by the KLA against Serbs, Roma, and a smaller number of Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija in 1999 and 2000. As I listened, these verses began to flow spontaneously.