The Catalogue of Dreams
Bjeshkë Guri & Iliriana Blakaj

The Catalogue of Dreams by Iliriana Blakaj and Bjeshka Guri explores the traditional Albanian practice of dream interpretation, framing it as a vital aspect of intangible cultural heritage. The book compiles a systematic index of dream symbols, categorized into animals, elements, metaphors, opposites, and food, each reflecting a predictive logic deeply rooted in collective memory. Illustrated by Elvira Thaqi and Urtina Hoxha, the index draws from interviews across Kosovo, presenting dream interpretation as both a communal act and a window into cultural values.

Blakaj and Guri contextualize this tradition through anthropological, ethnographic, and psychoanalytic perspectives, showing how oral storytelling around dreams fosters social cohesion and shared meaning. By addressing a universal yet mysterious human experience, The Catalogue of Dreams highlights how communities use cultural frameworks to navigate the intangible and create connections across generations.