A masterful creation! Focused on an old folk motif, where author Rovena Rrozhani, by elaborating it, gives the old creation a contemporary, new symbolism through a magical and dexterous literary style even in the narration...

As we said above, the folk motif is the narrative basis of the book, where the concept of the heroine faces darkness, challenges and triumphs not with strength, but with self-confidence and intelligence. The creation in question is very similar to the archetypes of traditional Albanian and Balkan fairy tales.

What does the book "Hana, the Girl Who Caught the Sun" bring to the popular motif?

Rovena brings back the basic elements of folklore, viewing and treating them through a modern perspective. The theme of the victory of light over darkness is linked to the symbolism of the sun, a traditional figure of hope and energy; brought to life, carved, narrated in folk creations.

What is missing from the folk motif in the book "Hana, the Girl Who Caught the Sun?"

The book, through the culture and talent of the author, avoids almost magical stereotypes in favor of the heroine's psychologization and internal reflection. So, it does not remain simply a classic fairy tale with all its elements, but, as it is presented to us, it is more emotionally and poetically realistic for the contemporary reader.

So, how does writer Rovena Rrozhani make her creation contemporary?

The author, by entering into the traditional folk story, first, thematically gives personal empowerment to the figure of Hana; second, she includes and illuminates contemporary values, such as: justice, self-confidence, creativity and independence; third, she gives life to a narrative that is closer to psychology than pure magic, - attitudes that are close to the modern reader, especially children growing up in a multicultural environment.

The book uses a powerful symbolism, a symbolism that proceeds throughout the story of the event and the missionary and literary journey of the heroine. More specifically: The sun remains and radiates as a symbol of light, hope, knowledge and life. The fact that Hana “catches the sun” is a metaphor for the inner triumph over darkness for the development of the personality, for the liberation of oneself from fear.

Darkness and Misery symbolize the psychological and social obstacles that children and young people face on the journey of growth.

The mirror (as a motivational element) is an important symbol in the ideological development of the book's subject, where it expresses the interaction between identity, self-esteem and self-understanding, while confronting it. It is a metaphorical expansion on popular figures, where the MIRROR, often, serves as a door between the real and magical worlds.

The author's literary style and peculiarities

The style appears poetic, fluent, understandable for young readers. The author uses clear, motivating and positive language, which strongly supports the book's awareness-raising and educational messages. The author's writing combines classic fairy tale elements with modern themes, such as: courage, social justice, the girl's independence and self-confidence. The characters with their respective layers and optics of vision and action radiate emotion and do not remain just symbolic figures. Even fantastic elements are used as pedagogical tools.

Harmonization of the text with the illustrations of the painter Mirjana Madhi

The illustrations in the book “Hana, the Girl Who Caught the Sun” by painter Mirjana Madhi are an integral part of reading. They aesthetically complement the emotional image of the narrative, reinforcing the ideas of courage, hope and transformation. They help the reader visualize Hana’s world, building a stronger connection between words and visual perception. The harmonization is successful because the illustrations are not decorative, but enrich the educational messages and emotions conveyed by the text. The light/dark contrast is visible. There is a golden and warm tone in the climaxes. While the existence of cooler colors speaks of the phases of uncertainty. The illustrations do not repeat the text, but deepen the emotion, helping its symbolic meaning. Whereas, in the text-image collaboration, harmony is achieved, because the visual symbolism matches the literary metaphor, the figures are expressive. As a result, the child manages to understand the message even through the image. This is one of the features of modern children's literature, where the illustration is a co-author of the narrative, and where the child-reader draws his own "sun".

Character analysis

Hana as a folkloric figure is associated with the type of smart and courageous girl of Albanian fairy tales. Hana, as a modern figure, unlike the traditional heroine, a) does not expect salvation from outside. b) does not act only for others, but acts for the growth of oneself. c) has a strong psychological dimension (fear, doubt, decision). Because, Hana is a symbol of the empowerment of the girl, of self-confidence and moral autonomy. Hana represents today's child who faces uncertainty, but who seeks light within herself.

Darkness, the next antagonist in the series of symbolisms

Darkness is not simply a physical force. It represents fear, lack of trust, social insecurity, and invisible obstacles. (In folklore, evil is often personified by the witch, the witch… etc.). Here, in “Hana…” it is more abstract, which makes the text more contemporary and psychological.

The sun, the main symbolism

The sun is not just a physical object. It symbolizes the light of knowledge, hope, creative energy, complete identity. The act of "catching" it is a metaphor for taking control of life, it is a metaphor for spiritual growth.

The collaboration of folklore with modernity

The author maintains the structure of the fairy tale, avoids direct moralizing, and effectively uses the internal message, far from ordinary didactics. This, on the author's part, is a contemporary educational style, a typology not so evident, present in Albanian children's literature, where the message emerges from action, not from instruction.

Comparative interpretation, features and peculiarities between the fairy tale "Hana, the girl who caught the sun" (based on a folk motif) by the writer Rovena Rrozhani and the folk tale "The Beauty of the Earth"
“The Beauty of the Earth” is one of the most well-known fairy tales of the Albanian folk tradition. It contains the difficult journey towards the light (salvation), the confrontation with dark forces, the motif of sacrifice, the triumph through perseverance and spiritual purity. These elements, I think, create a suitable ground for comparison with the fairy tale “Hana, the Girl Who Caught the Sun” (based on an old motif) by the writer Rovena Rrozhani.

THE JOURNEY…
The fairy tale “The Beauty of the Earth” carries the expression of a physical journey towards unknown worlds with the aim of liberation and union. In this journey, evil beings that are concrete appear as obstacles. Whereas, in the fairy tale “Hana, the Girl Who Caught the Sun” the journey is mainly internal, psychological; with the aim of enlightening consciousness and strengthening personality. This journey is hindered by darkness conceived as symbolism. We continue with other phenomena of “journey…”. In ancient folk tales the journey is external and adventurous. In “Hana…” the journey is a metaphor for inner growth. This speaks to us about the shift: – from epic heroism to emotional and human heroism.

CHARACTER FIGURE – FEMALE
In “The Beautiful…” the female figure is ideal, beautiful, desired. It is often the object of salvation. Her beauty is focused as a value. In “Hana…”, Hana herself is the subject of action. She does not expect salvation. Her value does not lie in beauty, but in inner strength. Here lies the greatest contemporary difference: from the girl as an aesthetic ideal – to the girl as a conscious subject. (Hana…).

HOW DOES THE “PORTRAIT” OF THE ANTAGONIST APPEAR?
In folktales, witches, etc., are wild, dark physical forces. The evil in this view is external and identifiable. In “Hana…” the darkness is metaphorical. The enemy is fear, uncertainty, the lack of inner light. This shows another aspect, that of the transition from a culture of external fear to a culture of inner awareness.

SYMBOLISM OF LIGHT
In “BEAUTIFUL…”, light is physical salvation and a return to normal order. In “Hana…”, the sun is consciousness, and its capture is an act of emancipation. In folklore, light comes as a gift, while in “Hana…” light is obtained with courage and effort.

EDUCATIONAL FUNCTION
In folk tales, the message is: – Patience is rewarded; while in “Hana…” the message is: – Self-belief transforms. In folk tales, the model is the classical hero, while in “Hana…” the model is the emotional, human hero. In folk tales, the goal is to maintain order, while in “Hana…” it is the development of the individual. Folklore aims for the stability of the community, while the author Rrozhani aims for the empowerment of the individual.

WHAT IS KEPT AND WHAT IS TRANSFORMED IN “HANA…”?
The text preserves the structure of creation, the motif of light, the figure of the girl as the bearer of hope, and the ending is optimistic.
It is transformed: – From salvation from the outside to self-salvation; – From beauty as a value to consciousness as a value; – From concrete magic to psychological symbolism. Therefore, “Hana…” can and should be read as: a) a modern rewriting of the folkloric archetype. b) a shift from traditional epic towards introspection. c) an emancipation of the female figure within the fairy tale model.

If “The Beautiful…” embodies the aesthetic and mythical ideal of traditional Albanian culture; “Hana…” embodies the ideal of awareness and autonomy of contemporary culture.

"Notes, approaches, perspectives, character analyses, symbolic treatment, etc. in the book "Hana, the girl who caught the sun" (based on a popular motif) by the writer Rovena Rrozhani",
Illustrations: Mirjana Madhi,
Tirana 2024