Cultural Diplomacy as a Method for Promoting Kosovo in the World Cultural Diplomacy as a Method for Promoting Kosovo in the World Veton Zejnullahi1 Abstract Cultural diplomacy as one of the main forms of different countries’ promotion and also with the focus on the cultural aspects and traditions of the respective ones, has been very effective in presenting the values of an entire country and its citizens .Being known since the ancient times, based on different contacts and communication between people, especially those of a commercial character, it marks the first steps of what is known as cultural diplomacy, which besides its benefits, also was focused on the exchanging of the ideas and values between people and countries. For the successful realization of such a form of diplomacy, many engagements of people related to culture, history, art, sport and other important areas are needed. The purpose of this paper will be to reveal the many values that our country Kosovo has, focusing on the historical aspect, the cultural heritage and the natural resources it possesses. Many of Kosovo's assets are protected by UNESCO, which shows even more of their values but as a matter of fact it is needed a greater diplomatic engagement to make their promotion because nothing could better than the culture reveal the past and the present of an entire population and a state. Numerous objects of great historical value, great natural wealth and religious objects of all beliefs are characteristic and a great asset of Kosovo and its citizens. This requires a qualitative promotion from the government of the country through cultural attaches to embassies of different countries around the world. Key words: Kosovo, diplomacy, culture, heritage, UNESCO, religion Introduction Although Kosovo is known as the youngest state in the world, its history is thousands of yearsold and its citizens are proud of its past. Its multi-ethnic composition gives another meaning to life in Kosovo by combining the different cultures of its citizens. Despite albanian population which is a majority in Kosovo live as well , various national minorities such as Serbs, Bosnians, Montenegrians, Turks, the REA community and some other national minorities in a very low number of people. Kosovo in history is known as a country that was inhabited thousands of years ago by the native Illyrian population of the Dardanian tribe who were 1 Dr., University for Business and Technology, [email protected] 145 3nd International Congress on Political, Economic and Social Studies (ICPESS), 09-11 Nov. 2017 V. ZEJNULLAHI settled in these areas and that the discoveries made, prove that they were located exactly in the vicinity of Pristina in the Old Town ULPIANA. Other very old settlements are Vicianum - today's Vushtrri as well as Novobërda near Pristina. Rich in many objects from the cultural heritage of its people, Kosovo can stand out proudly in front of the world and a real witness to its ancient history. Monuments and facilities from the historical past, fortresses and castles, religious sites, rivers, lakes, national parks, beautiful ski resort for skiing, mines are the assets of the state and the citizens of Kosovo but also victims of various attacks by different invaders. Very often this territory was the fighting arena between different cultures, which is undoubtedly the most popular among the Christian people of Europe and the Ottoman Empire of 1389, which ended in the Ottomans victory. Kosovo, among other things, is rich in many religious buildings of different beliefs, which undoubtedly represents the greatest wealth of Kosovo's cultural heritage and its citizens. Numerous mosques, Catholic and Orthodox churches undoubtedly represent an added value for Kosovo and its citizens. Even though these objects were the target of attacks during the many wars being destroyed by hundreds, Kosovo citizens have rebuilt them, they have kept it with fanaticism, thus also demonstrating the tolerance and religious harmony that reigns in Kosovo. Despite the proposal for membership in UNESCO, this process leaves many obstacles from Serbia, however, it is worth noting that many of Kosovo's facilities are under its protection, a fact that proves that UNESCO is aware of many assets of Kosovo and in the hope that in the near future Kosovo will also be a member with equal rights as other states Cultural Diplomacy Registered since the Bronze Age, cultural diplomacy has become a norm for humanity within civilizations2 Diplomacy as a complex concept has evolved during the stages of its development, while the evil forces can still destroy civilization, diplomacy tried to maintain it by creating linkages from one culture to another3, and today it focuses on activities that relate to the development of other diplomatic ones emphasising the communication between people because 2 Richard T. Arndt, The first Resort Of Kings, American Cultural Diplomacy in the Twentieth Century, Potomac Books, Inc. Washington, D.C. 2006. pg. 1. 3 Ibid 3nd International Congress on Political, Economic and Social Studies (ICPESS), 09-11 Nov. 2017 146 Cultural Diplomacy as a Method for Promoting Kosovo in the World Zaharna's communication and culture are so interlinked that they can not be separated4. The literature often has many definitions about the fact what cultural diplomacy actually is. The most accurate definition is the one of Milton Cummings according to which, cultural diplomacy is an "exchange of ideas, information, art and other aspects of culture between states and their people in order to foster mutual understanding "5. Natural and historical assets of Kosovo The function and purpose of cultural diplomacy is to create and strengthen bilateral relations across borders, including economy, trade, politics, culture and diplomatic element; connect with groups beyond borders such as diaspora and help preserve ties in time.6 Given this fact in Kosovo, since the ancient times up to current historic periods, there has been an expansion at the crossroads of influences, which mainly came from East and West, and sometimes from the North and South. The very first inhabitants of Kosovo are the Illyrians from the DARDAN tribe who were settled in these lands by raising cities that were discovered with archaeological excavations such as the ancient city of Ulpiana near Pristina. There were also found other important artifacts which testify their society organization, including their religious beliefs. All of these were engraved and given a detailed description. The ancient city Ulpiana7 Artificial Dardanous deities Dardania8 The main monument of our cultural heritage which is at the same time the symbol of the city of Pristina - the goddess of the throne-was returned to Kosovo after the negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia as part of the agreement reached .It was kept by the Serbian government since it was 4 R.S. Zaharna, The Cultural Awakening in Public Diplomacy, Los Angeles, Figueroa Press, 2012, pg. 8. 5 Milton C. Cummings, Jr. Cultural Diplomacy and the United States Government: A Survey , Washington, D.C: Center for Arts and Culture, 2003, 6 Simon Mark, A Greater Role for Cultural Diplomacy, Netherlands Institute of International Relat ions„Clingendael‟ ISSN 1569-2981, p rill, 2009, pg. 9. 7 http://ourancientworld.com/images/901/3412_1.jpg 8 http://www.gazetadita.al/hyjnesha-dardania/ 147 3nd International Congress on Political, Economic and Social Studies (ICPESS), 09-11 Nov. 2017 V. ZEJNULLAHI robbed in 1999 on the occasion of their withdrawal from Kosovo, shortly after the signing of the capitulation by the Serbian government at the end of the war. Goddess on the Throne9 Kosovo is very rich with rivers, lakes and national parks. If you look at the tourist guide of Kosovo, you can find many interesting places to visit as part of the cultural heritage of the country including many places for cultural and sports activities, especially in wintertime, for example. the wonderful slopes of Brezovica and the Rugova Mountains. Also places of historical character such as the House of the Albanian League of Prizren, the Mausoleum (Tyrbja) of Sultan Murat, the castle of Novobërdë and in Prizren, the fortress of Harilaq. To natural resources, it is unavoidable to mention the Trepça Metallurgical Combine with its underground asset, which only in lead ore, is estimated to be about 2 million tonnes of reserves and also gold, silver, molybdenum, strontium, phosphate, etc. Revenues from 1991 to 1992 were calculated only by Trepça, to be over $ 50 million a year and for centuries were the main suporter of economic development not only of Kosovo. Then there come the large coal reserves from which electricity is produced and the Gazivoda Lake which was built in the 70s of the last century with a length of 24 km and a height of 107 meters, which is considered to be one of the largest lakes of its kind in Europe. According to Leonard, "cultural scope should be much wider, not only with art, but also with popular culture, politics, science and academic department"10 Therefore, all these assets of Kosovo must become as close as possible to the international public for the purpose of its 9 https://www.pinterest.com/pin/375769162640247046 10 Mark Leonard, Public Diplomacy, London: The Fore ign Policy Center, pg. 107 3nd International Congress on Political, Economic and Social Studies (ICPESS), 09-11 Nov. 2017 148 Cultural Diplomacy as a Method for Promoting Kosovo in the World presentation in the world because according to historian Akira Iriye, "International relations are like intercultural communication.11 Religious objects of cultural heritage Characteristic of Kosovo and its citizens is the religious diversity among Albanian people and other communities. The main religions are three: Islamism, Catholicism and Orthodoxy (includes members of the Serbian minority). Precisely in this area there are also the most important cultural heritage sites of Kosovo and its people.