Günter Grass died!
Maybe he left this world since it was not as he imagined, but he will never be dead!
IBRAIM DŽEMAIL
Ibraim Džemail was born in 1954 in Skopje, Macedonia. His first book of poetry, Night Scarab, was published in 1980. He publishes his works in literary magazines in Macedonia and abroad. His second book, Return to the Roots, was published in 2015. Since 2016, he has been a member of the Association of Writers of North Rhine-Westphalia (ENW). In 2017, he obtained a certificate for completing a course in the Roma language and culture. In Skopje, in 2018, his poetry collection Archaic Feelings was published, and in the same year, in Belgrade, within the framework of the Association of Roma Writers, his book Gods on the Ramparts was published. For his contribution to Roma literature, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award “Slobodan Berberski” in Belgrade. On the occasion of the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the city of Rome, Ibraim Džemail participated in the event in New Delhi, India, in 2018. He is a participant in numerous international poetry festivals, where he has received many cups, medals, diplomas and certificates. In February 2020, his book Weltenbummler durch unsere Wurzeln (Journey Through Our Roots) was published in Frankfurt, and in the same year, his book Journey Through Time was published in Skopje by the Barikanipe Cultural and Media Centre. In 2024, his book Keys to Paradise was published in Skopje by the Barikanipe Cultural and Media Centre. In December of the same year, he participated in an event in Milan, Italy, where he received the prestigious Ambassador of Culture and Peace in the World Award, while in Belgrade he was once again presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In September 2025, he participated in the “Sadrvan – Balkan Evening of Poetry” event in Skopje. In the same month, he celebrated the 45th anniversary of the publication of the first Roma poetry book in Macedonia. On that occasion, during the poetry evening “Romano Ilo”, President Branko Petrevski presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for the third time, in recognition of his 45 years of creative work as a poet, writer and guardian of the written language on behalf of the Roma community in Macedonia and Europe. In December, from 6–12 December 2025, he participated in the European Poetry Festival in Podgorica, Montenegro, where he received a diploma, a cup and a medal as a participant of the World Association of Poets. In November, he participated in the European Poetry Championship in Podgorica, where he received a cup, diploma and medal for his participation. On 8 April, Džemail was in Belgrade, where on 9 April 2026 he presented his book Night Scarab – 45 Years of Roma Literature. At the same time, in Belgrade, he was admitted as a member of the DPS Writers’ Association of Serbia. He then continued to Sarajevo, where he received a plaque from the “Diana” association. On 25 April 2026, he presented his book In the Dream of the Future at the “Kuća Sevdaha”, marking the 45th anniversary of his literary work and his contribution to Roma literature. On 31 May 2026, in Romania, from Mrs. Trandafir Simetru, he received a Diploma and Medal as a participant in the World Championship of Poetry. On 27 June 2026, Ibraim Džemail participated in the 10th International Poetry Festival “Zagreb na Dlanu” in Zagreb. He also participated in the Literary Meeting in Strumica. In June, he received the “Stojan Hristov” Award at the Struga Poetry Evenings in Struga, and he achieved first place. He also received the Award for Lifetime Achievement, presented to him as a representative of Macedonia from around the world.
GRASS’S LETTER TO GOD
To Günter Grass
Günter Grass died!
Maybe he left this world since it was not as he imagined, but he will never be dead!
As the dawn was washing out I dreamed like I’d been waking up and with seven pairs of zurle and drums, I’d been following the Sun to sleep.
As I walk in the mud and the wasteland, I saw the Night, it had no eyes!
I lighted up the lanterns made from white cobbles.
The zurle and the drums, I hear them moaning!
Grass writes a letter to God about the Roma!
He asks me, “Will the answer come?”
I’m in the holy nest, in the moonlight I bathe. I’m trying to open my mouth, but I lost my tongue!
The nasty years did not seem to have passed!
Günter Grass and his pipe,
Together with the Gods who were burning at the star
Are my only witnesses!
(Brussels, 2018)
***
OH, INDIA!
You knew all the curses, India, our mother!
Yet you did not curse anyone!
You wished peace and happiness to everyone.
We – your children,
We were perished by the war and made scattered all around the world.
Our steps can reach the sky and yet, accidents threaten us all the time!
We are singing “Djelem, djelem, lungone dromesa_
Maladilem e chache djenesa!”
We are singing, yet they’re putting a curse on us!
We are dancing, yet they’re preparing us the stake!
Oh, India – mother of wisdom!
Send them Brgoy – our God of fire to leave them without fire!
Let Vaya – our God of wind, to wipe them out!
Tell Kama to prepare the arrows.
Let him teach them to love and wisdom!
(Skopje, 2018)
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