Mosques,Beautifulski Resorts Andothernat- ESCO World Heritage Sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Kosovo Alsohasalot to Offer to Theworld

THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO AS WEARE AS WE ARE WE AS STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

AS WE ARE 3

Free to love

We are building our own country, nourishing a population of 70% younger than 35, led by a female president in a place where everyone is free to love. AS WE ARE

AS WE ARE Stories old and new of a country thriving

The material in this book has been collected, created and edited for the sole purpose of offering an overview and promoting Kosovo’s history, art, culture, education and science.

‘AS WE ARE / Stories old and new of a country thriving’ includes material previously published in July 2015 under the name ‘AS WE ARE / Stories old and new of a country in the making’. Both books feature the diplomatic efforts of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in lobbying for Kosovo’s acceptance in UNESCO. The republished work in this edition reinforces these efforts and insists on the unique values that Kosovo has to offer.

Photos published in this book are submitted by participants in #instakosova #instakosovo competition, selected from the archives of Kosovo photographers, and others are withdrawn from UNESCO website, Database of Cultural Heritage in Kosovo, Wikimedia Commons and other promotional websites of the same will.

This book is not intended for sale. CREDITS

AS WE ARE is produced and published under the guidance and for The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo in support of its efforts in joining UNESCO

Title: AS WE ARE Stories old and new of a country thriving

All rights: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo

Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo / Petrit Selimi

Editors: Fiona Kelmendi, Petrit Selimi, Rina Meta Design: Nita Salihu, Trembelat Type: Ekstropia by Yll Rugova, Trembelat Cover Photo: Majlinda Hoxha / If you go in the woods today Printing: ViPrint

August 2015 Prishtina, Kosovo

kosovoinunesco.com mfa-ks.net instakosova.com interfaithkosovo.com STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

5 THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO PATH OUR AS WEARE security. responsible for torate. NATO is a UNprotec- Kosovo becomes withdrawal. Serbia signs by Serbianforces. women are raped mates that20,000 The WHOesti- Serbian forces. committed by ly inmassacres in Kosovo, most - people are killed cleansing. 12,000 paign ofethnic starts acam- Milosevic, who Serbian dictator fierce response by neglect causes vo after years of Uprising inKoso- 1998—1999 STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

ment. to local govern- ferred from UN cies are trans- Some competen- are organized. and central level elections inlocal First democratic 2001—2002

are destroyed. other buildings churches and dozen Serbian 2 Serbs,over a Albanians and people die,19 churches. 21 several Serbian extremists attack Hundreds of causes riots. are found dead, Albanian children Kosovo, where 3 the northof An incidentin 2004

7 THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

former foes. between two talks inVienna initiates first Ahtisaari, who President Marti for dialogue, Special Envoy UN Appoints 2005—2006

UN plan. ports the community sup- the international time, most of Kosovo war. This aftermath of in 1999,the Nelson Mandela sion, setupby Kosovo Commis - special report of mentioned ina The ideawasfirst dence for Kosovo. ditional Indepen- the planofCon- UN Envoy unveils 2007 AS WEARE

EULEX mission. of lawpowers to policing andrule UNMIK transfers Ahtisaari Plan. munity, basedon ternational com - set upbythein- mechanisms are supervision International very first year. dependent inthe recognize itasin- Over 50countries ruary 17,2008. country inFeb- an independent clares Kosovo Kosovo, de- of people of Thaci, onbehalf Kosovo Hashim Prime Minister of 2008 nation. as asovereign admit Kosovo and World Bank Monetary Fund International

2009 STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

integrations. process of EU EU-facilitated tion asapartof in normaliza- Serbia to engage Kosovo and and calls for tus negotiations, to start new sta- Serbian request tember, refuses opinion inSep- bly notes theICJ General Assem- UNSC1244. UN national lawor not violate inter- Independence did Declaration of ity thatKosovo’s whelming major- rules withover- Court ofJustice International 2010

ern Balkans. the entire West- president in the first female She becomes as aPresident. Atifete Jahjaga ment elects Mrs. Kosovo Parlia- 2011

9 THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO

system. strong rule oflaw in buildinga further support remains for EULEX mission pendence. merits fullinde- and thatitnow Ahtisaari Plan obligations under concluded all Kosovo has concludes that resentatives, Civilian Rep- International led byEUand Steering Group, International 2012

Europe. of Council Commission also joinsVenice phonie. Kosovo tion ofFranco- of theOrganiza- observer member Committee and national Olympic member ofInter - becomes full dialogue. Kosovo compromise and as modelof entire world is hailed bythe sels agreement Historic Brus- EU integrations. the process of each otherin ing notblocking relations, includ - normalization of agreement on Serbia come to Kosovo and 2013-2014

AS WEARE culture. tion, science and Kosovo ineduca - agree to support many otheralso bilaterally, but recognize Kosovo UNESCO already member states of to UNESCO.111 for membership Kosovo applies 2015 CONTINUED TO BE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

TO BE CONTINUED11 AS WE ARE

CONTENT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN CONTENT STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

13 AS WE ARE 16—19 Know your whys and your hows

Facts and explanations regarding Kosovo’s right to join the global family of education, science and culture. 24—25 Rita Ora: Embrace

CONTENT the efforts of my country

The pop star addresses UNESCO as an Honorary Ambassador of Kosovo. 32—77 A living heritage in contemporary dynamics

Since ancient times, Kosovo has been a crossroads of the Balkans, where the great religious and cultural currents of the Mediterranean world met and interacted with each other and with rich indigenous traditions. STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING 104—116 Nurturing our Tomorrow

Education as a competitive force in the 21st century. 117—153 Heritage alive

A developing country in favor of renewable energy development. 154—166 15 Heart to Tech

From being almost non-existent 10 years ago, Kosovar companies in the information technology (IT) domain today offer a wide range of ICT services to both local and international companies. 200—235 Full empowerment

One day President Jahjaga, Ambassador Citaku, Mayor Kusari-Lila among others, will be the stories mothers will proudly tell to their daughters, and their portraits will be decorating offices of our future women leaders, to remind them that the path has been paved for them at difficult times, and that they should never give up. AS WE ARE

KNOW YOUR WHYS AND YOUR HOWS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN KNOW YOUR WHYS AND YOUR HOWS YOUR AND and culture. of education, science to jointheglobal family regarding Kosovo’s desire Facts andexplanations STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

17 KNOW YOUR WHYS AND YOUR HOWS ments. various nationalgovern - to theUnited Nationsandto also served asaconsultant Reporting (IWPR).Hehas Institute for War andPeace and New York Director ofthe tor ofWorld Policy Journal, Strategic Studies(IISS), Edi- International Institute for Research Associate atthe UK HouseofCommons;a on Foreign Affairs inthe sor to theSelect Committee has beenaSpecialist-Advi- Linacre College Oxford. He and anOfficial Fellow of and International Relations the DepartmentofPolitics of International Relationsin Richard CaplanisProfessor by Professor Richard Caplan. Excerpts from research done nities astherest. its regional partners is to at least have the same opportu- and theonly wayfor thecountry to beable to catch upwith Kosovo is currently excluded due to not being a member, countless programs of UNESCOintheseareas from which knowledge andbest international practices. There are shared the from benefit to it enabling culture, and science Kosovo’s international positionintheareas ofeducation, Very simply put,UNESCO membership would enhance mental freedoms proclaimed intheUNCharter. justice, therule oflaw,andthehumanrightsfunda- science, andculture inorder to furtheruniversal respect for promoting international collaboration through education, UNESCO’s purposeis to contribute to peace andsecurityby UNESCO membership? How can Kosovo benefit from 2 vote oftheGeneral Conference.” mendation oftheExecutive Board, byatwo-thirds majority admitted to membership oftheOrganization, uponrecom- not members oftheUnited NationsOrganization maybe proved pursuant to Article XofthisConstitution, states Organization andtheUnited NationsOrganization, ap- “Subject to theconditions oftheAgreement between this Article IIParagraph 2oftheUNESCOConstitution reads: utive Board. the voting takes place uponrecommendation oftheExec- a two-thirds majorityofvotes intheGeneral Conference; fore becoming aUNmemberstate, provided thatit secures Yes, Kosovo iseligible to become aUNESCOmemberbe- member before becoming aUNmember? Is Kosovo eligible to become aUNESCO 1

AS WEARE cultural importance to theSerbcommunity. preserve andprotect monumentsofdistinct historic and strict andformal international obligations uponKosovo to Kosovo’s UNESCOmembership because itwould impose greatly strengthen thedialogue: Serbiawould gainfrom ship atUNESCOwould notpose athreat –itcould infact dialogue between Kosovo andSerbia.Kosovo’s member- nizations have inanywayimpededprogress intheongoing None oftheseaccessions to international agenciesororga- Countries. an observer memberoftheOrganization ofFrancophone Council ofEurope, theRegionalCooperation Council,and gymnastic global bodies),theVenice Commission ofthe zations andglobal sportfederations (e.g.,basketball and mittee, aswell asover 50European andregional organi- become a full member of the International Olympic Com- laterally byanothertwo dozenUNmembers. Ithasalso signed on19April2013,Kosovo hasbeenrecognized bi- Normalization of Relations” between Serbia and Kosovo since the“First Agreement ofPrinciples Governing the with theEuropean Investment Bank(EIB).Furthermore, velopment (EBRD)andhassignedaframework agreement member oftheEuropean Bankfor Reconstruction andDe- In fact, since November 2012,Kosovo hasalsobecome a ation ofthetechnical dialogue withSerbiainMarch 2011. cy ororganization whichKosovo hasjoinedsince theiniti- UNESCO would therefore not be the first international agencies, theWorld BankandtheInternational Monetary Fund. Kosovo isalready amemberoftwo UNspecialized agen- on normalizationoftheirrelations? the ongoingdialogue between Kosovo andSerbia Would Kosovo’s membership ofUNESCOendanger 3 stitution and otherlegislation, inparticularlegislation de- Kosovo, anditsidentity andrightsare protected bytheCon- tection. TheSerbianOrthodox Church (SOC)isrecognized in heritage, will only create additional guarantees for its pro- UNESCO membership, far from threatening the Serbian patible, andindeedare mutually reinforcing; andKosovo’s statehood andSerbianheritage inKosovo are notincom- CO to preserve andprotect World Heritage Sites. Kosovo’s of suchsites. Itisoneofthefundamental dutiesofUNES- exist inKosovo; infact itwould rather strengthen thestatus SCO would threaten the status of World Heritage Sites that It is very difficult to see how Kosovo’s membership in UNE- Church? Christian Medieval Monasteries oftheSerbianOrthodox of World Heritage Sites thatexist inKosovo, namely the Can Kosovo membership inUNESCOthreaten thestatus 5 initial proposal for entertaining suchaprocess ofdialogue. the question ofKosovo’s status; infact, itrejected Serbia’s be facilitated bytheEU,ithasnever called for dialogue on cess oftechnical dialogue between Kosovo andSerbia,to ruling oftheICJ. AlthoughtheUNGA hascalled for apro- In addition,theUNGeneral Assembly haswelcomed this Finnish President andNobelLaureate, MarttiAhtisaari. the UN,includingthrough aUNSpecialEnvoy, theformer that led ultimately to independence hadinfact beenled by boundaries oftheexisting international law. Theprocess situation ofanindependentKosovo, thuscreated withinthe factual the ratified has words,it law.other international In of independence hasnotviolated anyapplicable rule of al Court of Justice, has confirmed that Kosovo’s declaration tion, theprincipaljudicialorgan oftheUN,Internation- has UN Secretariat been thatof“neutrality” withrespect to thestatus ques- the of position official the Although settled according to UN? Is thestatus ofKosovo 4 STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Police. the sites today are protected byaspecialunitofthe Kosovo Orthodox Church sites byextremists inthe2004riots,and million Euros inrepair ofthedamagesdoneto theSerbian munity. Thegovernment ofKosovo dedicated almost 10 Kosovo andbylarge sponsored bytheinternational com- consolidated andmodernlegal framework, adopted by SCO Heritage sites inKosovo. They are protected byavery Even currently, there isnoquestion onthesafety ofUNE- quires specialtreatment. special kindofcultural heritage ofKosovo, onethatre- the SOChasuntilnow beencontinuously dealtwithasa the status oflawsvital interest. Asaresult, theRCHof independence, inSeptember 2012,andthey were assigned Kosovo attheendofinternational supervisionofits Kosovo were integrated into thelegislative framework of of thereligious andcultural heritage (RCH)oftheSOCin The bulkoftheCSPprovisions related to the protection riving from theComprehensive Settlement Proposal (CSP). of whichitisamember. penses ofotherUNagenciesorinternational organizations the Organization, just asitregularly contributes to theex- tions contained therein andto contribute to theexpenses of abide bytheUNESCOConstitution, to accept theobliga- Therefore, Kosovo hasshown thatitis clearly willingto international obligations. so asto ensure theeffective implementation ofKosovo’s by theUnited Nationsorotherinternational organizations, on theimplementation ofinternational sanctionsimposed in 2010,Kosovo Assembly went further,adoptingtheLaw and abidebyitsinternational obligations. Inthiscontext, ed itsabilityandwillingness to respect international law tution andasshown in practice, Kosovo hasdemonstrat- Both through itsDeclaration ofIndependence andConsti- achieved itsindependence in2008. cies andpractices ofsuccessive governments since Kosovo rights andfundamental freedoms, aswell asinthepoli- international standards highest human reflect the of which commitment isevident intheprovisions ofitsConstitution, racy, humanrightsandtherule oflaw. Thestrength ofthis Kosovo isstrongly committed to theprinciples ofdemoc- UNESCO membership? Is Kosovo aviable candidate for 6

19 AS WE ARE

Prizren is home to the Old Stone Bridge of 15th century and this century’s Dokufest. The young lady captured here is a film fan who’s making sure to bring back home the memory of both. KNOW YOUR WHYS AND YOUR HOWS WHYS AND YOUR YOUR KNOW and new! Stories old from theformer Yugoslavia. republic gainingindependence a status asastate, asthe7th mended for Kosovo to obtain Marti Ahtisaari.Herecom- the facilitation ofUNEnvoy process ofnegotiationsunder was borneoutofalengthy of theEuropean continent. It Kosovo istheyoungest nation ing from 2015–onthe70thanniversary of UNESCO. to engageinexchange withtherest oftheworld, start- science andculture to helpbreak thelong isolationand joining theworld’s primaryorganization ofeducation, The past ishistory. Today, Kosovo islooking forward to Deputy PrimeMinister andMinister ofForeign Affairs oftheRepublicKosovo Hashim Thaçi, itants. After half a century of communist model and ten schools, inacountry thathastotal of1.85 millioninhab- years. Every year, more than25,000 pupilsenroll inprimary the ageofitspopulation-average ageinKosovo is 28 Kosovo isalsothe youngest European nationinterms of as theInternational Olympic Committee. and World Bank,butalsootherinternational bodiessuch come afullsovereign memberof UN agenciessuchasIMF managed to engagewithinternational community andbe- guarantees therightsfor allstrata ofsociety,Kosovo has that democracy a become to challenges of full path ficult to amore transparent market economic model.Inthisdif- Madame Atifete Jahjaga;from aclosed economic system became the first Balkan country to elect a female president, a conservative societyto amore open-mindedone,which processes: from wardestruction to peace-building; from The country had to deal with several parallel transitional mal step to EUAccession. for- first the Agreement, Association and Stabilization EU cluded thenegotiationsandisonverge ofsigningthe within theEuropean family ofnations.Kosovo hascon- firmly future a for ahead looks country the today olence, isodes ofstate-sponsored oppression andinter-ethnic vi- ep- with filled and painful very been has past the Though STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING ganization aswell asfor thepeople ofKosovo! be anappropriate birthday giftfor boththefans oftheor- anniversary of UNESCO.Our accession to UNESCO would with therest oftheworld, starting from 2015–onthe70th help break thelong isolationandto engageinexchange primary organization ofeducation, science andculture to Hence Kosovo islooking forward to joiningtheworld’s global patrimony. ural habitats awaitto bediscovered asapartofourjoint, old Ottoman mosques,beautifulski resorts andothernat- ESCO World Heritage sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Kosovo alsohasalot to offer to theworld. Medieval UN- needed to improve itsenvironmental record. East Europe inthelast seven years –more focus isalso corded thehighest average economic growth inallofSouth As theKosovar economy records steady growth –ithasre - development. and research more through output scientific lum for schools,improve teaching methods andincrease being said,thecountry now needsto upgrade itscurricu- over 230 schools were rebuilt in Kosovo’s countryside. This rebuild schoolsandwiththehelpofdonorcommunity, cidal war,thecountry launchedanextensive campaign to years ofpolitical apartheidthatculminated withageno-

21 AS WE ARE KNOW YOUR WHYS AND YOUR HOWS WHYS AND YOUR YOUR KNOW STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Kosovo. promote theirown media, aimingto shared onsocial the country were young people across photographs from Thousands of #InstaKosovo #InstaKosova competition called national photography Winner ofthebiggest by Sara Rodiqi for NgomFest Camping inPrizren

23 AS WE ARE KNOW YOUR WHYS AND YOUR HOWS WHYS AND YOUR YOUR KNOW STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING Rita Ora: Embrace our efforts!

Rita Ora is a global pop star and Honorary Ambassador of Kosovo.

I embrace the efforts done by my native country’s authorities in engaging Kosovo in all multilateral forums UNESCO including, in order to ensure that Kosovo people, Kosovo youth, 25 get access to more opportunities.

I am a typical London girl. I’m My parents flew Kosovo in search for a safer life. The very I have experienced at first hand that being a refugee car- a pop star. I am a refugee. Ac- fact of being an uprooted person, carrying the ‘refugee’ tag, ries a lot of prejudice and can cause isolation. Nations are tually, I am a baby refugee. As has marked me profoundly. Refugees rarely have a voice. like humans, the more isolated a country is, the more its a kid I grew up in one room flat Fortunately, I do have one - literally and metaphorically citizens risk to suffer from low self esteem. The isolation that I shared with my parents speaking. The voice raised me to fame. I am equally privi- makes you angry; it can turn nations into violence. I am and older sister. Out of the leged and motivated to use my voice on behalf of refugees. delighted that Kosovo, my country of origin, has chosen window I could see Brompton Although peace and security are what we aim for, - pre- the path of cooperation. This will enable its citizens to be Cemetery. It was scary. conditions for a normal life, - not everyone enjoys these more determined to move forward, to be eager to progress legitimate rights; they are not granted, they must be safe- and succeed. I always loved the music, I was determined I don’t know what was more guarded. International organisations have a great role to to succeed, but I’m grateful to all of those who gave me scary – the graveyard or being play in that regard. a hand, who supported me. They helped me to write my a refugee... story. There is also another facet of the story. Successful people and those who look at them tend to believe that they are It is instrumental for Kosovo to be supported in its way to- special, that they are self-made. This is true, to a large ward integration. It implies the international community’s extent. Nevertheless, we must not forget the power of op- ability to acknowledge the effort, support it and meet half portunities landed to us. Even the best of us, in a war-torn the way. By doing so, international community itself shows country, would be standing barefoot next to a border line, a vision of the world. The United Nations Educational, Sci- too busy trying to survive. entific and Cultural Organisation should be part of those efforts. Together we can define the 21st century. Therefore, I embrace the efforts done by my native country’s authorities in engaging Kosovo in all multilateral forums - UNESCO including, in order to ensure that Kosovo people, Kosovo youth, get access to more opportunities. Their rights will be better protected as well. AS WE ARE KNOW YOUR WHYS AND YOUR HOWS WHYS AND YOUR YOUR KNOW and whatisfair. What isright after highschoolgraduation. few people went to college because even, backthattime, and hadhighhopesfor me come apractitioner physician parents expected meto be- a family together withher. My byterian American andsetup who fell inlove withaPres- States, aMuslimAlbanian My father migrated to United –the oneoffreedom, access, andopportunities. collaboration. Butfirst ofall, we have to settherightframe There isadelicate balance between competition and in cardiovascular physiology andpharmacology Physician andpharmacologist, andaco-winner ofthe1998NobelPrize Ferid Murad, vironment as Iandmybest friend from kindergarten years, outmost. We compete amongeach otherinacollegial en- extremely fertile ground that motivates usto an stretch to the iscompetition, one sides: two has research Scientific activity. morphed from apersonal quest to amassive international search Centres. Because ofthatcomplexity, research has laboration outsidethecountry, withUniversities andRe- close cooperation withinthecountry and often, strong col- involve people as well aslots offunding.They require deavor! Theresearch en- projects arecolossal big,long-term, andthey a is it – discovery scientific the about truth bright young people andstudents. Ialways tell themthe I love research –that’s obvious. Ilove equally to work with positive impactonmillionsofpeople. ditions. Itisrewarding to know thatyour work ishaving cer, Alzeimer’s disease,heartdiseaseandmany othercon- against can- fight the in come,to oxidehas nitric of usage said Iwascrazy to invest muchtimeandeffort init.More research on nitric oxide, even when colleagues and friends lifetime hasgone.Ihave spentdecades conducting basic discovery. Butinthetimebetween thesetwo moments,a serendipity happens.You’re ontheverge ofatremendous takes strong motivation andabsolute determination. Then, have when you know you’re right, but you need to prove it.It That’s how it all started, with a hunch - the feeling you some luck, my research could influence the lives of people. for me.Iwanted to make achange.Iwashopingthatwith path right the was that that felt I somehow profitable. But most the nor road, easier the not was It research. entific I mayhave disappointed them bychoosingthe path ofsci- STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING tries willdowhatis rightandwhatisfair. fair. Byoffering fullmembership to Kosovo, membercoun- be to obligation the have we all, of first But effort. her or Itisnoble to change thelife ofsomeone,to recognize his ple ideascould have far-reaching consequences. programs helps. Scientific research is a safe bet: even scientific sim- diverse Accessing cooperation. and integration full support.They have chosentherightdirection, thatof provide citizenswithmore opportunities.Isend themmy plying this autumn for membership to UNESCO in order to I amenthusiastic to learn thatKosovo authoritiesare ap- ent programs andgrants islimited. el freely for studies, leisure or work. Theiraccess to differ - and Europe dueto avisarestriction regime. They can’t trav- eyes; they live inthemost isolated country intheBalkans of opportunities.IthurtsmewhenIseefrustration intheir young years. Iwasluckyenoughto bebornintheland there. Iseethesameeagerness to succeed asIhadinmy amazing progress and the potential of youth and students of Albanianbackground. I’ve beento Kosovo andseenthe one the of freedom, access, – and opportunities. I am a researcher frame right the set to have we all, of first But delicate balance between competition and collaboration. protect. Thesamehappensbetween uspeople. There isa in needofnew ideas,itstrives to connect, notcompete or itself finds nature when collaboration: is side other The boundaries; itisembraced andappliedworldwide. about nationality. Thelegacy ofEinstein orJobsknows no pete more internationally thanever. Discovery doesn’tcare Ronald Delismonhave done;however, nowadays we com-

27 KNOW YOUR WHYS AND YOUR HOWS Service. and Diplomatic the Parliament sentation in female repre- more than30% Kosovo boasts in theBalkans. one to beelected president, the first Led byafemale younger than35. 70% ofwhichare million people, inhabited by1.8 dynamic country, It’s asuper 70%YOUTH the Balkans. other country in broader thanany rate isover 86%, net connections Household inter-

86% AS WEARE nicipal levels. Romani atmu- ish, Bosnianand level, andTurk - at thenational nian andSerbian guages –Alba- over five lan- Kosovo speaks hello! tainy. rivery andmoun- but very watery, Landlocked, states. many EUmember ranks better than Kosovo actually 100,000 people, 18 firearms per East Europe. With robbery asSouth 15 timesasmuch much assault and four timesas the burglary, over has twice Western Europe show that Europe. Statistics elsewhere in Kosovo than It’s safer in STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING 29

Kosovo is a There are over Kosovo harmoni- Rich in Nickel, #lovewins – our Rich in day & member of two 100 different ously accommo- Lead, Zinc, Mag- constitution is night life. Rich UN specialized typologies of dates a diverse nesium, Lignite, the only one in in coffee cul- agencies, the traditional fusion of faiths Kaolin, Chrome the Balkans that ture, with more World Bank and clothing found in such as Islamic, and Bauxite. bans discrimi- than 200 coffee the International Kosovo and none Serbian Orthodox, nation based on bars only in the Monetary Fund, of them is based Roman Catholic, race, gender, re- capital. Greatest as well as a on religious Jewish, Sufi and ligion and sexual Macchiato Land member of the references. Dervishes. orientation since on Earth. International 2008. Organization of La Francophonie, International Olympic Commit- tee, the European Bank for Recon- struction and De- velopment, The Venice Commis- sion, and many other sports and regional organizations. AS WE ARE THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

31 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN IN CONTEMPORARY CONTEMPORARY IN A LIVINGA HERITAGE DYNAMICS UNESCO World Heritage List. Kosovo inscribedinthe Medieval Monumentsin sites, whichare theonly the SerbianOrthodox Church outstanding monumentsare Some ofthemost STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

33 AS WE ARE FIRMLY ROOTED LEGACY A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

Alban Bakija, Director of Kosovo Institute for Cultural Heritage FIRMLY ROOTED LEGACY 35

Cultural Heritage Protection Through presenting a shared national past, social groups a more critical and self-reflective manner. We are seeking in the Republic of Kosovo with significantly different or even opposing economic and to understand the artifacts presented as part of an ongoing political interests could share a common Cultural Heritage. process of understanding and making history, rather than The idea of Cultural Heritage In this sense, whilst individual cultural taste is always static moments in an already ‘dead’ historical past. We are in general – and protection personal, culture itself is both political and historically trying to reflect more truly the open-ended nature of histor- of cultural heritage more contingent. It differs in different societies at different times ical thinking at the present time. Lived environments, local specifically – is relatively and in different places. Kosovo seeks to go beyond simply artifacts and buildings in Kosovo have survived through novel in historical terms. Both legitimizing the current social and political order, aware of centuries of warfare, changes in political leadership, re- concepts, from the perspective the positive aspects of cultural differences between differ- ligions, shifting cultural meanings, personal associations of modern age, are challenged ent social groups. and notions of national identities. However, even when by globalization and digitiza- the heritage is still present, their meaning may still be lost tion, along with ‘culture’ as There is much sensitivity surrounding matters of cultural forever if the knowledge embodied in them is not preserved we now know it. This means ownership and historical roots that have been expressed and transmitted from generation to generation. defining and presenting the violently in the past, making this a difficult matter for pol- past culturally had (and still icy-makers attempting to mediate artists, artifacts and the This is where cooperation with UNESCO is valued as a sine has) a complex and important wider society; however, this shared cultural heritage has qua non for safeguarding our heritage; on the one hand to function in both personal and proven itself as the only sense of commonality between preserve important heritage in general, but on the other, public life. previously warring cultural groups. Kosovo is focused to create a space for the creation of a new sense of com- not on simply legitimizing the current political order or mon identity and shared history amongst individuals them- instilling feelings of patriotism per se, as often aimed selves. Heritage is made up of local stories, which together for by states historically, but – and more in line with the make the history of the world. theory underlining the idea of a republic – chooses to explore notions of citizenship, shared culture and history in AS WE ARE

Excerpts: Foreword from the Book on the Destruction of Islamic Heritage in the 1998-1999 Kosovo War András Riedlmayer KOSOVO HERITAGE, WORLD HERITAGE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE HERITAGE, WORLD WORLD HERITAGE, HERITAGE HERITAGE KOSOVO again on6April1999 range. It was hit shell fired atclose March 1999bya was toppled on27 culture. Theminaret ed monumentof law asaprotect- been designated by nor. Themosquehad first Ottoman gover - 1410 bythetown’s Kosovo, founded in oldest mosquesin Ali Begisoneofthe The MosqueofGhazi of theexplosions. damage asaresult suffered structural historic building also exterior wallsofthe were broken. The doors andwindows damaged andallthe interior wasbadly mosque’s roof, the smashed through the The falling minaret inside themosque. sives were thrown grenade andexplo- by arocket-propelled STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

37 KATEGORIA Much ofthisconstruction took place duringthe late six- built inKosovo throughout the periodofOttoman rule. Mosques andotherIslamicmonuments continued to be Muslim resident. Mosque (1470),inPrishtina,wasendowed byapiouslocal in Peja, were founded by early Ottoman governors. The Llap and themosquehamamofHajji Hasan Beg(1462-85), emperors. TheGhaziAliBegMosque(1410)inVushtrria, Ottoman by endowed them of Peja—all in (1471), Mosque Mehmed theConqueror (1461), inPrishtina,andtheBazaar 1389-1440), inPrishtina,theMosqueandhamamofSultan riod inKosovo includetheMosqueofSultan Murad (built Notable Islamicmonumentsfrom theearly Ottoman pe- ed thesecharitable andreligious institutions. lay brotherhoods), andbazaar shops,whoserents support- Sufithe of lodgestekkes (dervish (bath-houses), hamams Qur’an-readers), Islamiclibraries, charitysoupkitchens, medresas (theological schools), mektebs (schoolsfor endowments (vakuf orwaqf)for thebuildingofmosques, pious region—established the of natives being latter the The Ottoman sultans and their local officials—many among in the1400s. nected withtheestablishment ofOttoman rule inKosovo uments ofIslamicreligious architecture inKosovo are con- mon- first major However,Ottomans.the the of arrival the traveled andpreached Islamintheregion acentury before Anatolia, who, accompanied by a group of this dervishes, from master Sufi legendary a 1298), (d. Baba Saltuk Sari oldest Islamicsites inKosovo are linked to thememory of a partofitsheritage thatdeserves to bebetter known. The ing astill thriving,600-year-old European Islamictradition, teractions have given Kosovo aremarkable legacy, includ- other andwithrichindigenoustraditions. Thesecultural in- the Mediterranean world have metandinteracted witheach Balkans, where thegreat religious andcultural currents of Since ancienttimes,Kosovo hasbeenacrossroads ofthe AS WEARE Mosque inPrishtina (1834).Lavishmural paintings were Red MosqueinPeja (1744)andthesplendid JasharPasha feature ofmosquesbuiltduringthisperiod,amongthemthe of mosques.Thispainted decoration wasacharacteristic architecture and floral motifs that covered the interior walls ant useofcolour andbythemurals depictinglandscapes, teenth century inKosovo wasdistinguished bytheexuber- Islamic religious architecture oftheeighteenth andnine- and inthetekke ofShehIslamEfendi (1881)inGjilan. Mosque (1570)andtheKurshumli Mosque(1577)inPeja ings andotherinterior decorations, asseenintheDefterdar employed to goodeffect inelaborately carved wooden ceil- kes (dervishlodges) inKosovo, local craft techniques were the Mosque of Deçan (1813). In many mosques and tek- regional style are theÇokMosque(1580),nearJunik,and form of thehousesoffaithful. Notable examples ofthis tower-houses of the region—the house of God taking on the the samematerials asthekullas, thetraditional Albanian teau, mosqueswere often builtinthesamemannerandof In Kosovo’s mountainous west andontheDukagjinpla- Balkan andOttoman architecture. tastes andbuildingtechniques, aswell asbroader trends in local reflected Kosovo in monuments Islamic of struction craftsmen whobuiltthem.Thestyles andmethodsofcon- tions inKosovo were local people, aswere thebuilders and patrons whoendowed mosquesandotherIslamicinstitu- From the sixteenth century on, the great majority of the were ethnicAlbanians. who ruled theOttoman Empire inthenameofsultan, minister chief the vizier, grand of office the held who uals posts. Between 1453and1912,close to 40oftheindivid- Islamic jurists andscholars. Someattained thehighest them rose to jointheOttoman elite assoldiers, statesmen, nians butalsomanySlavs, hadbecome Muslims.Manyof jority of Kosovo’s population, including most Kosovo Alba- teenth andseventeenth centuries, bywhichtimethema- of twenty years in1965. Inthepost-war years, theregime the Yugoslav army. Itwasreturned to worship after alapse of theSecond World War andturnedinto anarmsdepotfor teenth-century Kurshumli Mosquewasclosed after theend was left standing, minaret asa‘civicmonument’.InPeja, thesix- its only stalls; market and office post new a for Mosque (built1594)wastorn down in1963to make way the communist period.Inthecentre ofPrizren, thehistoric Arasta during better significantly fare not did Kosovo Mosques andotherIslamicheritage sites elsewhere in of thetwentieth century. mosques were built in Prishtina between 1912 and the end liberalization in the1970s an dearly 1980s, but nonew allowed to reopen for worship duringtheera ofpolitical (built 1551).Someofthecity’s closed mosqueswere razed bytheauthorities,amongthemLlokaç Mosque Prishtina inthe1950s,three historic mosqueswere ordered uses. Aspartofasocialist urbanredesign ofthecentre of mosques, turningtheminto warehouses andothersecular that took power after the war closed all but five of the city’s still 16mosquesleft. Thenew communist Yugoslav regime mosques. AttheendofWorld War IIin1945,there were At theendofOttoman rule in1912,Prishtina had18 the authorities. were builtinKosovo andsomewere destroyed orseizedby During the 70 years that followed, not very many mosques form anew state, whichin1929wasrenamed Yugoslavia. end of the First World War, the two kingdoms merged to of SerbiaandtheKingdomMontenegro. Following the rule inKosovo, whichwaspartitionedbetween Kingdom (1912) brought an endto the long centuries of Ottoman War Balkan first The century). 19th late the in Zeka Haxhi and the Bazaar Mosque in Peja (built 1471, renovated by Prizren (built1615,renovated intheearly 19thcentury), 1592-95, renovated in1842),theSinanPasha Mosquein at thistime,suchastheHadumMosqueinGjakova (built also usedto decorate oldermosquesthatwere renovated STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING followed bythemassive wartime destruction ofKosovo’s without intervening. Theyears ofpeacetime neglect were even listed Islamicmonumentsto bealtered ordemolished vation ofthesehistoric housesofworship, they allowed to provide thefunds andexpertise neededfor thepreser- cades ofneglect. Inpractice, theauthoritiesnotonly failed Islamic builtheritage wasinadilapidated state, after de- agencies, thismeantthatbythe1990s muchofKosovo’s priority inattention andinconservation fundingfrom state had beenlisted for protection. Since listed sites received monasteries, while only 32 Islamic religious monuments sites. Ofthelast category, 139were Orthodox churches or 116 secularbuildingsandmonuments,174religious tion. Theseincluded96archaeological sites, 16cemeteries, protec state for - designated wereofficially Kosovo in sites Between 1947and1990,atotal of425monumentsand the protection ofmonuments. tively little attention from thestate authoritiescharged with of Kosovo’s cultural andreligious heritage received rela- historicalarchitecturaland significance. However, part this from theOttoman era. Manyofthesewere monumentsof vo ontheeve ofthe1998-1999warwere buildingsdating More thantwo-thirds ofthe560active mosquesinKoso- age ordestruction ofIslamicheritage. fortunately, thisnew buildingactivityalsoinvolved dam- were builtor reconstructed in the 1990s. Insomecases, un- jor cities.Close to 20ofthemosqueslisted inthisvolume Belgrade’s decade of final rule, ma- the at of least outside and repair ofmosqueswere easedsomewhat duringthis most respects, communist-era restrictions on the building the 1990sinKosovo were years ofsevere repression in this volume were builtbetween 1945and1989.Although of power. Abouttwo dozenofthemosquesdocumented in continued to bebuiltinvillages,remote from thecentres the mosquesandtheiractivities.However, somemosques the property ofthepiousendowments thathadsustained also suppressed Islamicreligious education andseized

39 KATEGORIA razed, the ruinslevelled bybulldozer;9mosquesand 3 Among these,13mosques and5tekkes were completely and 8tekkes were inthemost severe damagecategories. were destroyed or damagedduringthewar,22mosques mosques. Of the218mosques and 11tekkes inKosovo that the MosqueofStanofc iPoshtëm, andinanumberofother Mosque of Carraleva, the Mosque of Livoç i Poshtëm, and this sort could be seen in the Gjyfatyn Mosque in Peja, the Examples of burned. defiled and hand, by apart tures,torn or inthedeliberate desecration ofIslamicsacred scrip- walls, mosque on scrawled Serbian in graffiti anti-Islamic behind their “signatures”— in the form of anti-Albanian and In someplaces, thoseresponsible for theseattacks hadleft braries. kteb), onedervishlodge (tekke), andseveral mosqueli- hamam (Turkish baths),9schoolsfor Qur’anreaders (me- Community Council, a historic medresa, a 15th-century Islamic Peja’s of library and archives offices, the turies), mosques (halfofthemdating from the15th-18thcen- and 1999. Among the sites targeted were the region’s 36 where every oneof49Islamicsites wasattacked in1998 Among the worst hit was the northwestern region of Peja, of Kosovo left untouched. sacral sites waswidespread andsystematic, withfew areas the local Albanianresidents. Thedevastation ofIslamic accompanied by the burning of the surrounding homes of for attack. More often, thedestruction ofamosquewas the only building in thevicinitythathadbeensingled out of mosquessetablaze.Insomeplaces, themosquewas minaret, ofartillery projectiles aimedattheminaret, and dence ofexplosives planted inthemosqueorinside erate attacks directed against themosques.There isevi- The damageinmost cases wasclearly theresult ofdelib- mosques were damagedordestroyed duringthewar. umented inthisbook,roughly 40percent ofKosovo’s 560 Islamic religious heritage in1998-1999.Ashasbeendoc- AS WEARE lamic religious andcultural life inKosovo. The Central His- The destruction alsoencompassed thewritten record ofIs- paramilitaries, andinsomecases bySerbcivilians. from theground, carried outby Serbiantroops, police and Kosovo duringthe war wasentirely attributable to attacks destruction of mosques and of other Islamic heritage in by aNATO airstrike inthespringof1999.Otherwise, Jabllanica (Prizren region), haditsroof partly destroyed stroyed bySerbforces. Onemosque,inthevillageof mosques and9tekkes inKosovo were damagedorde- During thesecond year ofthewarin1999,atotal of197 tacks andfurtherdamageduringthe spring of1999. were damagedduring1998were subjected to repeat at- destroyed orseriously damaged.Ten ofthemosquesthat gious buildingswere burneddown, blown uporotherwise the spring and summer of 1998. Two-thirds of these reli - in war, the of year first the forcesduring Serb by attacked A total of31mosquesand2tekkes (dervishlodges) were and thedesecration ofsacred scriptures. set insidethemosque,smashed-upinterior furnishings, minaret,firesthe including vandalism,toof shaft the in or age, ranging from shell holes in the walls, through the roof An additional95mosquessuffered lesser degrees ofdam- left standing. of burntroof tiles underfoot, and only thefour outer walls roofs collapsed, the interiors open to the sky with a carpet Many ofthesemosqueswere completely burnedout,their fires. or explosives from damage structural serious fered kova (1790).More than100othermosquesinKosovo suf- the MosqueofLoxha (1900),andtheBektashi tekke inGja- in Mitrovica, theMosqueofHalilEfendi inDobërçan (1526), renewed 1878), in Vushtrria, the Ibër Mosque (built 1878) houses ofworship are theBazaarMosque(built1761-62; dozed. Amongexamples ofcompletely levelled Islamic tekkes were reduced to rubble, but the ruinswere notbull- another 40 suffered serious structural damage or were de- tacks. Some 40 Serb Orthodox sites were vandalized, while churches andmonasteries were damagedinrevenge at- end ofhostilities inJune1999, dozensofSerbOrthodox to theirburned-outhometowns andvillages.Following the who hadbeenforced outofKosovo duringthewarreturned after theendofwar,asthousandsAlbanianrefugees Unfortunatelyconflict. changed 1998-1999 that the during astery inKosovo wasdamagedordestroyed byAlbanians Remarkably, not a single Serb Orthodox church or mon- destroyed bySerbianpolice inMarch 1999. of the nineteenth-century Albanian national revival, was in 1878. The building, which housed a memorial museum campaigning for autonomy withintheOttoman Empire, met the LeagueofPrizren, agroup ofAlbaniancivicleaders ing, partoftheMedresa ofGhazi MehmedPasha, inwhich Islamic monumentdestroyed inPrizren wasasmallbuild- only thecityofPrizren escaped largely unscathed. Theonly Among thehistoric centers ofIslamicculture inKosovo, 1999. religious booksthatwere destroyed ordamagedin1998- dowed withcollections ofQur’an manuscriptsandIslamic beyond this.ManyoldmosquesinKosovo hadbeenen- Peja, alsodestroyed in1999.However, thelosses gofar as thelibraries ofdervishlodges inGjakova, Mitrovica and in Gjakova, founded in1595andburned 1999,aswell and oldbooksofthelibrary ofHadumSyleiman Efendi for destruction. Notable losses includethemanuscripts Kosovo’s Islamicreligious libraries were alsosingled out Lipjan, Peja, Skenderaj, andSuhareka. the IslamicCommunity Councils in Peja, Gjakova, Gllogoc, wholly orpartially destroyed, amongthemthearchives of archives oftheIslamic Communitywere alsoattacked and rival of the first NATO troops in Prishtina. Six of the regional burned by Serbian police inJune1999,hours before thear- torical Archives oftheIslamicCommunityKosovo were STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING before theICTY. president Slobodan Milošević andinseveral other cases an expert witness atthewar crimestrialofformer Serbian via (ICTY). Hehassince testified aboutthesefindingsas and to theUNwarcrimestribunalfor theformer Yugosla- the UNInterim Administration Mission inKosovo (UNMIK) Kosovo. Theresults ofthefieldsurvey were submitted to conducted apost-war fieldsurvey ofcultural heritage in Andrew Herscher, anarchitect andarchitectural historian, University. In1999-2001,Riedlmayer andhiscolleague Islamic Architecture oftheAgaKhanProgram atHarvard András Riedlmayer directs theDocumentation Centre for for future generations. was upto theirforefathers, to jointly value andpreserve it patrimony ofallKosovo’s people. Itisupto them,asit ages oftimeandthedestruction ofwar,isthecommon cultural heritage that remains in Kosovo, despite the rav - immune from personal and communal vendettas. The rich tected byallcommunities andhadtraditionally beenheld most ofKosovo’s long history, housesofworship were pro- work towards acommon future itiswell to recall that,for to terms withthepainfulmemoriesofrecent past and during the1998-1999war. AsKosovo anditspeople come sible, theIslamicsacral heritage ofKosovo thatwaslost This book is anattempt to document,to the extent pos- Orthodox religious sites largely ceased. Albanian political andreligious leaders, attacks onSerb restore order, andinresponse to publicappealsbyKosovo result oftheefforts ofKFOR andtheUNadministration to medieval period.Bytheendofsummer1999,asa But about15to 20ofthedestroyed churches dated from the churches, someofthembuiltduringtheprevious decade. stroyed completely. Many of these buildings were village

41 AS WE ARE A MEDIEVAL LEGACY A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE MEDIEVAL LEGACY A STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Monastery andtheChurch of the Virgin ofLjeviša. Gračanica Monastery, Peć of Patriarchate the Monastery, ments inKosovo (Serbia)” –alist thatincludestheDečani World Heritage List underthe nameof“Medieval Monu- monuments inKosovo currently inscribedintheUNESCO long to theSerbianOrthodox Church, whichare theonly Some ofthemost outstanding sites found inKosovo be-

43 AS WE ARE

Dečani Monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE The Serbian Patriarchate of Peja/Peć

The Dečani Monastery was the first site from the four Medieval Monuments in Kosovo to be inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It was built in the mid-14th century for the Serbian king Stefan Dečanski and is also his mausoleum. The original founding charter from 1330 has been preserved. Ljeviš inPrizren the Holy Virgin of The Church of western Romanesquestyles. with OrthodoxByzantine eastern of fusion reflects a which the Palaiologian Renaissance ofByzantiumintheBalkans, testimony to themanifestations ofthecultural tradition of The wallpaintingsinthethree churches are anexceptional 16th centuries. and mural paintingintheBalkans between the14thto the decisive role inthedevelopment ofecclesiastical building Gračanica the Monastery, Monastery andtheChurch oftheVirgin ofLjeviša played a Peja/Peć of Patriarchate The STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Monastery The Gračanica stration oftheemergence ofthisstyle anditsaftermath. ing from around 1300 until1673-74,are apowerful demon- Athos, while the paintings at the churches at Peja/Peć, dat- in Thessaloniki and the Monastery of Protaton at Mount and in Gračanica 14th century Ljeviša, similaronly to thechurch oftheHoly Apostles the of half first the from They show theheightofdevelopment ofBalkan art

45 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

The Burial of Sava A fresco found in the Patriarchate of Peja/Peć, a Serbian Orthodox Monastery of the 16th-17th century 16th-17th century dox Monastery ofthe Peć, aSerbian Ortho- Patriarchate ofPeja/ A fresco found inthe The AngryEye STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

47 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE The complex of the Church of St.Mary

The complex of the Church of St.Mary

The complex of the Church of St. Mary is located in the village of Mushtishtë, in the southwest of Kosovo. It is estimated to have been built in the first part of the 14th century by Dragoslav Jovan, in tribute to Saint Mary. The church was part of a complex which also included homes to three priests and the bell house.

The interior of the church was decorated with wall paintings of at least two time periods (14th and 17th century). During the war of 1999, the entire complex was destroyed; leaving only relics behind, but even as such it still has historical and religious value. Demetrius The church ofSaint today only serves for religious services onspecialdays. buildings andconstructions, and what isleft of the church the 18thcentury. Church stones were usedfor othersocial damaged. Thedestruction ofitsentire layout occurred in ter thebattle ofKosovo, in1389,thechurch wasseverely to the14thcentury, butwhichsadly nolonger exist. Af- the church usedto bedecorated withfrescos dating back Saint Demetriusandlater to SaintBarbara. Theinterior of past. Itissaidthatthemonastery wasinitially dedicated to tury. Remainsprove theexistence ofamonastery inthe in thesoutheast Kosovo, anddates backto the14thcen- Saint Varvara ofKmetoc, islocated inthevillageofKmetoc The church ofSaint Demetrius,known asthechurch of The church ofSaintDemetrius STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING tion ofSt.Mary Church ofPresenta - tions thatindicate thetimeofconstruction. late antiquityortheearly Middle Agesbasedontheinscrip- the Holy Virgin anditisbelieved to belong to theperiodof tween the13thand14thcentury. Thechurch isdedicated to village Vaganesh, intheeast ofKosovo, andwasbuiltbe- The Church ofPresentation ofSt.Maryislocated inthe Church ofPresentation ofSt.Mary

49 AS WE ARE

After the fall of Prizren under the rule of the Ottoman Empire, in 1455, Isa Bey, a commander assigned by Fatih Sultan Mehmed, built the prayer room for the Ottoman soldiers. A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE testament A rare and documents. with otherinvaluable books century anddestroyed, along accidental fire inthe19th unfortunately caught inan presence intheBalkanswas testament ofearly Islamic Aleppo, Syria. This rare migrated to thearea from 1289, byaMuslimfamily that in thesouthofKosovo builtin in thevillageofMlikë (Gore) by acentury, wasamosque predating theOttoman period mosque to bebuiltinKosovo, It isbelieved thatthefirst Mosque (1471),inPeja—all ofthemendowed byOttoman emperors. hamam ofSultan MehmedtheConqueror (1461),inPrishtina,andtheBazaar the MosqueofSultan Murad (built1389—1440),inPrishtina,theMosqueand The Islamicmonumentsfrom theearly Ottoman periodinKosovo include functional, architectural and historical terms, thisbuilding therefore even today itholds thenameBazaarMosque.In opposite ofOldBazaarwhichwasdemolishedinthe60s, on battle of 1389. Initially the mosquewas located inthe orate the victory of the Ottoman forces and Sultan Murat in theearly 15th century bySultan Bajazitito commem- the sanctuaryofIslamicfaith. Themosquewasbuilt Prishtina, inthecentral partofthecity and itserves as The BazaarMosqueislocated withinthecomplex ofold Bazaar Mosque by apiouslocal Muslimresident. nors. TheLlapMosque(1470),inPrishtina,wasendowed gover - Ottomanearly by werefoundedPeja, in (1462‐85), Vushtrria, andthemosquehamamofHajjiHasanBeg by Ottoman emperors. TheGhaziAliBegMosque(1410) in endowed them of Peja—all in (1471), Mosque Bazaar the of Sultan MehmedtheConqueror (1461),inPrishtina,and hamam and Mosque the Prishtina, in 1389‐1440), (built man periodinKosovo includetheMosqueofSultan Murad Other notable Islamicmonumentsfrom theearly Otto - STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING ue, anditischaracteristic for thewestern partof Prizren. surroundings, thebuildingisamonumentofhistorical val - Mosque, whichmeansabroken mosque.Together withits The Namazjahisalsoknown bythepeople asKerek left to theuseof farmers. jah wasinthesuburbsofformer Prizren town, itwas ular mosquesstarted beingbuilt.Later, since theNamaz- the Ottoman rule, Namazjahwasleft unattained, since reg- the Ottoman soldiers. After thecomplete deployment of assigned byFatih Sultan Mehmed,builttheprayer room for rule oftheOttoman Empire, in1455,IsaBey, acommander meaning “prayer place”. After the fall of Prizren under the ren. Theword “namazjah”comes from anoldPersian word, Priz- locatednorth‐westernof is the part Namazjah in The Kerek MosqueNamazjah construction work. construction time, for whichitranks astheoutstanding and its contest it preserves all characteristic elements of is auniquestructure inharmonywithtimetransformations,

51 AS WE ARE

THE THE THE THE NEOLITHIC NEOLITHIC ROMAN MIDDLE PERIOD PERIOD ERA AGES

The Vinca cul- The Goddess on An exceptional There are many ture, dated from the Throne is ancient find is Serbian orthodox 5700–4500 BC one of the most the epigraphy monuments from has left behind precious archae- monument from medieval times A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE many artifacts ological artifacts Smira from year in Kosovo, four giving us a of Kosovo, typi- 230 BC, featuring of which are glimpse into this cal of the Vinca two labyrinths inscribed in the early civilization. Culture. The and a dedication UNESCO World Some scholars terracotta statue to the “Goddess Heritage List. believe that the dates sometime of Dardania”. The Gračanica Vinca symbols between Even during Ro- monastery was represent the the 4th-3rd man times, built in 1321 AD, earliest form millennium BC. the Dardanians and many of writing ever kept their faith consider it as the found, predating and contin- culmination of ancient Egyptian ued to worship Serbian medieval and Sumerian their Dardanian art of building writing by thou- goddess along in the Byzantine sands of years. with other Illyrian tradition. gods. town’s skyline. feature inthe and isadominant street ofPrizren looks themain mosque over - built in1615.The Prizren, Kosovo, in thecityof Ottoman mosque Mosque isan The SinanPasha even bridges. houses, and mosques, many distinctive Kosovo, including heritage sites in a wealth of period left behind The Ottoman ERA OTTOMAN THE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING es are embedded. along which nich- rounded arches, consists of11 ren. Thebridge Gjakova withPriz- route, connecting on amedieval as itwaserected the 15thcentury, been attheendof thought to have built, butitis Terzi Bridgewas when exactly the It isnotknown ERA OTTOMAN THE of Kosovo. National Library Hall andthe Youth andSports the timeare the as remnants of atypical buildings new”. Two very old, buildthe was “Destroy the for cityplanning the state motto of Yugoslavia, Kosovo, thenpart munist regime in days ofthecom- In 1950,theearly ERA COMMUNIST THE ever. are stronger than nation to progress will anddetermi - ahead, butour challenges lay country. Many on thissmall A new era dawns KOSOVO REPUBLIC OF THE

53 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

55 AS WE ARE KOSOVO WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING KOSOVO WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY 57

With literal layers of history present here, Kosovo has much to offer to the world in terms of tangible heritage

Societies sometimes take an This need of ensuring eternal life is often manifested With traces of advanced cultures living here from over ten almost Darwinian approach to through massive architectural displays of a period’s values millennia ago, and incredibly rich, literal layers of sites and preserving what heritage they in stone, steel or concrete. history, Kosovo has much to offer to the world in terms think should be of value for of tangible heritage. Entire civilizations competing for their the future generations – it will These objects then give further way to discussions and place in history left their mark here with many spectacu- be alive, or it will perish. validations of old values. Preserving them recognizes the lar monuments, whose joint presence in this small space cultures that made them, while also reaching back in time crosses religious and ethnic borders, serving as a fine ex- to provide a glimpse of memories that used to be some- ample of a truly multicultural global heritage. one’s reality. AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

It is extremely visually and spiritually fulfilling to watch all this energy way above from the Prizren Castle or even watch movies in the castle gate. 59

Castles

Prizren Fortress Over a cone-shaped hill, in an almost egg-shaped founda- Apart from its historical, architectural, scientific values, tion, lies the Castle with fortified walls. this site is of major economic relevance in terms of cul- The Prizren Fortress contains tural tourism. Starting from 2010, as part of the Interna- in itself an important part of During research, traces dating back to the 16th to 19th cen- tional Documentary Film Festival Dokufest, held in Prizren, the ancient history of the city. turies were found. Continued archaeological works in 2004 an open cinema was built in the castle’s gates, showing Its topographic position, its and 2009/2011 found a prehistoric settlement of the Bronze various films, and enriching the castle’s functions with an domination over the city, a Era, and the early Iron Era, which was the first settlement important cultural activity. Each year young and passion- rather attractive natural land- of this area. ate volunteers, mainly from Prizren, gather to organize the scape, and the well-thought event of the year. It is both visually and spiritually fulfilling architectural configuration During the Ottoman Empire, the castle was expanded with to either watch all this energy from the Prizren Castle, or to render the site very valuable fortified walls and fencing, and enriched with other facil- stop and watch a film in the castle’s gates. in terms of archeology, history ities, such as the Hamam, the mosque and other military and tourism. facilities.

AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

A clocktower in between a church and a mosque make up for a divine landscape in Gjakova, Kosovo. Towers andClock Towers 1970’s. has worked well untilthe the chimingclock mechanism because ofthestolen bells, stopped telling timeuntil2001 Even thoughtheClock Tower the landmarksofthatarea. the Fatih Mosque,itisoneof of oldtown Prishtinanext to Located atthecentral part historical andcultural value. as abuildingofarchitectural, in the19thcentury, itisknown Clock Tower stands tall. Built tural andhistorical area, the At thecore ofPrishtina’s cul- Sahat Kulla ument, thehouseisdueto beturnedinto acitymuseum. troops andLeaguemembers. Animportant cultural mon- died fighting following a long battle between the marshal’s tom Pasha Dreni was obligedto protect hisguest. They both of Pasha Dreni, aformer Leaguemember. ByAlbaniancus- cession ofAlbanianterritories to Montenegro, wasaguest Pasha, anOttoman marshal whohadcome to oversee the tary operation oftheLeaguePrizren in1878.Mehmed Ali mili- first the of site a as served 1790 in built construction landmark inthecenter ofGjakova. Thisbrickandstone dullah Pashë Dreni isbothanarchitectural andhistorical A traditional Albanianhouse,thehouseorkullaofAb- The KullaofAbdullahPashë Dreni STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING artifacts provided bytheEthnological Museum. example ofanoda(themen’s chamber),andtraditional has beenturnedinto amuseum where onecan seeagreat this nineteenth century kullawasrestored in2001and ture dueto itsfour-storied construction. Located inIsniq, kulla isanexceptional specimenofvernacular architec- Another historically important tower, theOsdautaj family Kulla ofOsdautaj family Mitrovica. Boletini inBoletin, The tower ofIsa

61 AS WE ARE

Ulpiana Archeological Site A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

Archeological Sites

Ulpiana Novobërdë

Now only a collection of ruins, it was once known to be an Novoberde was mentioned for the first time at the first de- ancient Roman and Byzantine center. cades of the 14th century AD, with the name Nuovo Monte (New Mountain). Even though Ulpiana dates back to prehistoric times, it reached its peak during the 3rd and 4th century AD as a Roman The Medieval town was a mining center and up to the pres- municipium called Ulpiana Splendidissima. ent days, remains of the walls, watch towers and foundations of several other sacral monuments within the area of the fortress are still preserved. STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

The old drinking fountain of Sheh Osman Baba was

built in 1605 and 63 is found at Halveti Tekkie in Prizren, Kosovo.

Tekkes

The Grand Tekke

Believers of mystical Islam, dervishes, belong to orders of Sufi Islam, which study philosophy, poetry, and attempt to reach enlightenment through various rituals that bring them closer to God. The Grand Tekke or Teqja e Madhe is an autocephalous tekke of the Balkan Saadi order with a sister tekke in Prizren. This low-roofed building, located close to the Grand Bazaar, was originally built in the seventeenth century, and it is the oldest tekke of the Saad Tarikat in the entire Balkans. AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

Mosques

Sinan Pasha Mosque The large dome, carved mahfil and the mural decorations 1566, the mosque was founded by Gazi Mehmet Pasha to- with floral motifs and calligraphy inscriptions make this gether with a hammam, mausoleum, madrasa and a library Just across the old stone mosque a cultural heritage gem. With the changing of rul- - all constructed between 1563 and 1574. The mosque’s bridge, dominating the city ers, the mosque changed function and was damaged, most large porch, water fountains for washing and garden seats center, stands the mosque of severely in 1919 by the Serbian authorities. make the yard pleasant while blue and white mural decora- Sinan Pasha, built in 1615. The tions adorn its interior. mosque is considered to be Bajrakli Mosque the most significant and most beautiful mosque in Prizren. Part of the League of Prizren complex, the Gazi Mehmet Pa- sha Mosque (also known as the Bajrakli Mosque) is one of the most elaborate places of worship in Prizren. Erected in STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Mitrovica century |Trepçë, Mazhiq builtin15th Trepca Mosquein

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Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hamam was built between 1573-74, in the same time Meh- met Pasha built his mosque just around the corner in Prizren. It is one of the biggest in Balkans and belongs to what was considered the most successful architectural period of the Ottoman Empire. A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

Hammams

The Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hammam

This Hammam was built in 1573 during the heyday of Ottoman rule. The Turkish bath functioned fully only until 1926, but was closed completely in 1944. Today, its vast rooms and stonewalls serve as a gallery and a venue for cultural events. Marash ofPrizren andÇarshia eMadheofGjakova 450 years old. beauty andfresh air,isalsoanancient oak(platanus), over Lumbardh river. Part ofthiscomplex, along withthenatural complex isrichinunderground waters andstreams ofthe Marash. InArabic, “marash” meansarefreshing place. This the eastern area ofPrizren, we have theUrbanComplex of On theleft sideofLumbardh River, undertheCastle, in Urban Complex ofMarash STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Marash, Prizren Urban Complex of this trading town since thesixteenth century. Çarshia eMadheortheGrand Bazaarhasbeentheheartof ing handcrafts, withwooden shutters oncobbled streets. Gjakova’s bazaarisa series ofsmallshops,somestill sell- Grand Bazaar Gjakova Grand Bazaar,

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Novobërdë Castle dates back to 1300s and is found with names Novus Mons or Novamonte in Latin and as Nyeuberghe in Saxon texts. STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

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Emin Gjiku Complex remains one of the best examples of town houses in the early XIX century. A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

Ethnographic museums

Residential Complex “Emin Ensemble “Emin Gjiku” was built in the early 19th centu- Gjiku” is located at the core of ry and it was owned by the known family Gjinolli. Emin the old city of Prishtina, in the Gjinolli’s nickname was “little man”, or in Turkish Eminçik, northeast of the end of current which later turned into Emin Gjik, from which the complex center of the city, near the Great is named. During different periods of time (almost two Hammam and the Mosque of centuries), the complex has undergone many changes as a Sultan Mehmet Fatih. result of function changes. But as a whole, complex “Emin Gjiku” remains one of the finest examples of town houses in the early XIX century. Bridges of thefifteenth century. construction madeattheend an emblematic Ottoman-style The Terzi orTailors’ -Bridge, is Terzi Bridge struction, hence thebridge’s name. ry, thetailor guildofGjakova sponsored thebridge’s recon - among whichnichesare embedded.Duringthe18thcentu- longest bridge inKosovo. Itconsists of11rounded arches, the two trading towns of Gjakova and Prizren, was once the With its190meters length, thebridge,which connected STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

71 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING century. and belongs to 14th Vushtrria inKosovo west ofthetown of is located to the with ninearches The OldStone Bridge

73 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Kosovo. val Monumentsin as partofMedie- World Heritage List placed inUNESCO’s basilica. Itisnow tian three-navel century early Chris- the ruinsofa6th Monastery sitson The Gračanica

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The Masjid Tekke Fatih Mosque is of Sheh Emini was located in Prishti- built in 18th century na and was built and is located at between 1460-1461 Big Market historic under the order of complex within the Sulltan Mehmet II complex of Albanian al Fatih. League, branch in Gjakova. STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

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79 AS WE ARE THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY OF HUMANITY A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

Intangible cultural heritage provides the scaffold upon which the tangible can then take its final shape and be interpreted. THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY OF HUMANITY 81

While architectural and Intangible cultural heritage provides the scaffold upon is people that embody our living intangible heritage and archeological cultural heritage which the tangible can then take its final shape and be in- ensure the continuity of our cultural values. And we surely sites stand bearing witness to terpreted. It is the identity, the soul, and the living tradition have more than enough stories of people that shape our the remarkable human feats, that carries the collective memory of humanity. Intangible world as we know it. intangible heritage can truly culture is a totality, a creation of our people exhibited in capture the ephemeral spirit of nuances of performances, tales and customs, not recorded Over the millennia that have passed, cultures come and a place – it is a living truth that via traditional means. gone in what is today known as Kosovo, one common el- completes our heritage. In the ement has surfaced over and over again – the vital role of quest for permanence, cultures The people as carriers of knowledge and skills are the the woman in our society, be it as a goddess, a mother, a often resort to setting heritage agents of preserving the often fragile traditions and the wife, a sister, or a leader. From the goddess of Dardania in stone, through monuments, continuity of culture. Especially in Kosovo, there has been worshipped over ten millennia ago, all the way to today’s but these objects and artifacts an incredible blend of people – of cultures – for longer than Kosovo with the first elected woman president in the Bal- do not carry within them the we can imagine, creating layers and layers of historical ex- kans, and even to the group of women authoring and de- inherent meaning, the context periences and influences. This has given birth to a syner- signing the book that you hold – women have been and are in which they should be defined gy of heritage, a coherence of meaning and values, which still leaving a strong imprint in the heritage of this society. and expressed. transcends individual stories. Even more so than stone, it AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING Ocarina wind, sound and vibrations

The Master of the ocarina, as Shaqir Hoti is affectionately known, decided to create his own ocarina. 83

Different types of Ocarinas are found around the world, but the one found at the Runik Neolithic site represents the earliest prehistoric music instrument ever found in Kosovo.

Another unique artifact found While different types of ocarinas are still manufactured in (PCDK) by the Council of Europe and the Kosovar Stability at the Runik Neolithic site is China and Japan, a specific type of ocarina is currently only Initiative have organized several events in Prishtina dedi- the ocarina – an unusual an- made by one man in Kosovo. Inspired by the instrument’s cated to the ocarina, including teaching young students the cient wind musical instrument unique sounds and vibrations, the Master of the ocarina, process of making this instrument and playing it accompa- made of clay. It represents the as Shaqir Hoti is affectionately known, decided to create nied by groups of musicians. earliest prehistoric instrument his own ocarina. ever found in Kosovo. All ocarinas are made from two separate pieces, which are He did not quite have the opportunity to thoroughly re- brought together in the end. Two moulds are covered by search the original one, but he started out with using clay, plastic sheets, and a mass of clay is pressed into them. similar to the earliest version of ocarina. After trying vari- The halves of clay are then carefully hollowed out, leaving ous materials, he reached the peak of his artistry by creat- a thin layer in the shape of the mould. The halves are then ing an original ocarina made out of a walnut shell. Apart taken out and stuck together. A mouth hole is then opened from making the instrument, this artist knows how to play at the top of this egg-shaped instrument, which is where it as well, and has already won awards with other groups of the sound is created. In the end, decorative lines, similar musicians. to the ones used in the past are added, and the clay is left to rest for three weeks. Once this is complete, the clay can Recognizing the need to preserve such a unique tradition be baked, giving birth to the ocarina. For more information carried singlehandedly by this one person, programs and on how the ocarina is made, you can check the short docu- NGOs such as the Promotion of Cultural Diversity in Kosovo mentary made by the PCDK, available on Youtube. AS WE ARE

There is evidence suggesting the plisi had a predecessor over 2,000 years old – in Roman times a hat called pileus was the emblem of liberty, and it was believed that the Illyrians wore it as a symbol of their freedom from the Roman Empire. A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE wool felt crisp white Plisi are often over ahundred years old. by artisansfrom sheep’s wool, withtools andinstruments which For centuries, theplisthatwe know today hasbeenmade ethnicity they belong to. depending ontheregion or unique andornate wardrobes live here, eachdeveloping the diverse communities that costumes, mostly thanksto rich heritage oftraditional Kosovo hasanincredibly over 2,000years old–inRomantimesahat called pil- There isevidence suggesting theplisihad apredecessor basis. men wholike to keep theoldtradition, itisworn onadaily such asweddings andothercelebrations, butamongolder Albanian clothing and identity,worn for special occasions The plisi has become a symbol anda staple oftraditional hat, intheshapeofahalf Albanian men in Kosovo – the plisi – a woolen felt white One rather recognizable traditional item isthehatworn by STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING -egg. from several hundred years ago. of the families that make the plisi have inherited the skills craft passed onfrom generation to generation, andmany which are often over ahundred years old.Itisaspecial by artisansfrom sheep’s wool, with tools andinstruments For centuries, theplisthatwe know today hasbeenmade Roman Empire. the Illyrians wore itasasymboloftheirfreedom from the eus wastheemblem ofliberty,anditwasbelieved that

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Reminding us that heritage is a history chapter of communities, places, stories and landscapes. A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE of silver plaiting finethreads curling, twisting and Filigree Kosovo. crafters in thecontemporary represented byoldandyoung Balkan countries andisbest widely spread across the in theyears 3,000BC.Itis an ancientcraft thatdates forming worn jewelry. Itis other into uniquepieces points ofcontact witheach and unitingthemattheir fine pliable threads ofsilver curling, twisting andplaiting The artoffiligree consists of the tradition shared bythree generations ofKrenare Rakovica’s family. In adelicate process ofgently caressing ornamental wires, comes na citizens and their international friends find the wayto her that she would continue was only natural. It’s how Prishti- neither plannednordiscussed between herandfamily, na. Her parents ran it since the end of the 1970’s, and it was Krenare wasraised inthestudio shop‘Te Kinezi’inPrishti- little studio shopandcontinued thecraft. occasionally, andinPrishtina where herfather openeda of theirmastery inCroatia where thegrandfather worked ther are; butbefore going,they madesure to leave traces tions. Thefactory isgonenow, ashergrandfather andfa - but helpedthetradition grow andspread amonggenera dreds ofworkers, whonotonly produced for othermarkets, back whenthecityhaditsown factory andemployed hun- epicenter ofcrafts inKosovo, started thecraft ofFiligree city center of Prishtina. Her grandfather from Prizren, the Rakovica’s family, whosesmallstudio shopcorners inthe comes thetradition shared bythree generations ofKrenare this delicate process ofgently caressing ornamental wires, ered oldjewel traded between crafters andwearers alike. In Each piece is made by hand. Each piece represents a recov STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

the world. realities to nicely comfort usandbetter connect uswith landscapes alienandfamiliar, allinone,brought to our is ahistory chapter ofcommunities, places, stories and are mysterious,” she says,only to remind usthatheritage stones left from oldpieces Itraded with wearers, thosetoo er traders from everywhere intheworld, while someare from my grandfather. He used to trade materials with oth- idea where they come from. “Inever buystones, Igotthem opens tens oflittle boxes withstones, for whichshehasno rated bygemstones ofdifferent shapesandcolors. Krenare bird, the flower, different geometrical shapes and all deco- typical shapesfound inKosovo are lacra, theblindeye, the ited from herfamily andoriginatingaround theworld. The designs andmakes daily, shehasadozen of others inher- gle piece thatcame along herway. Besidethepieces she She doesitcarefully andremembers perfectly every sin- in thestudio, shetreats everything withherown hands. shop very naturally. Krenare istheonly crafter andworker

87 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE and fertility wealth, happiness Nusja and blue,to protect thebridefrom the‘evil eye’. symbolizing wealth andhappiness; red, symbolizing fertility; The bride’s face ispainted withthree colors –gold, the bridefrom the‘evil eye’. fertility; andblue,to protect happiness; red, symbolizing gold, symbolizingwealth and is painted withthree colors – millennia ago.Thebride’s face their predecessors didtwo they painttheirfaces just as girls prepare to getmarried, near Prizren, where when There isaplace inKosovo, other evils thatthebridesare subjectto, seeingasthey are nity ofZhuparegion, isto ward offthe evil eye andall wedding ritual, safeguarded proudly by the Gorani commu- Once there, thepaintcan beremoved. Thepurposeofthis keeps her silence until she arrives at her husband’s home. is decorated for theoccasion. Shedoesnotspeak – she a white horse covered with ascarf andan umbrella that extending over therest ofherface. Sheisthencarried on drawn inred, blueandgoldonhercheeks,withsunrays face ispainted withawhite baseontop ofwhichsunsare bride hasto liestill. First herhairisbraided, andthenher The whole process takes abouttwo hours, duringwhichthe STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING unique to thisplace. tential riskfor thepreservation ofthisremarkable tradition trained, butthey are notpracticing this art,posingapo- student Elvisa Sagdati.Sixotheryoung women have been young her and Sefitagic, Aziza named 70 aged woman a – to paintthebrides’ faces andare continuing thetradition Currently, there are only two livingpeople whoknow how jealousy amongthem. keep thebridesalllooking thesame,soasnot to have any at thebridewithanevil eye’. Somealsosaythatitisto surrounded bystares ofguests, andsomeonemight‘look millennia ago. predecessors didtwo them, just astheir faces anddecorating Painting their

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The lamenting would stop once the wife or mother of the deceased would come and tell the men:

That is enough! A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE oh myson! oh poorme, Men’s Lament out hishairandbeard. er, started wailingand pulling sorrow for hisdeceased lead- Dukagjini, touched bydeep his contemporary, Prince Lekë Skenderbeu) diedin year 1468, derbeg (locally known as hero, Gjergj Kastriot Skan- When theAlbaniannational pulling theirhair,scratching theirfaces andscreaming. of hissocialandfamily circle willlamenthisdeathbystriking theirchests, the Dukagjiniregion ofKosovo. Whenamandies,themale members A deathrite known astheMen’s Lamentcontinues to thisdayin but italsousedto beawayto inform neighbors andoth- This rite primarily serves for themento express theirgrief, deceased would come andtell themen“Thatisenough”. The lamenting would stop once the wife or mother of the screaming “ohpoormeohmyson/nephew/friend”. their chests, pullingtheirhair, scratching theirfaces and his socialandfamily circle willlamenthisdeathbystriking of Kosovo, where whenamandies,themale members of e burrave) that continues to this day in the Dukagjini region This started adeathrite known astheMen’s Lament(Gjama STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING several valuable traditions, still alive today. of itwere quite controversial, theKanun hasleft behind tality, Proper Conduct,andKin Loyalty. While someparts 20th century. Itwasbasedonfour pillars –Honor,Hospi- isted asanoral setoflaws,andwasonly published inthe century, theKanunofLekë Dukagjini, asitisknown, ex- 15th the From centuries. five over forregion the ruled that The legacy of Lekë Dukagjini also left a set of codified laws respects to thefamily. ers oftheperson’s death,sothatthey can come andpay

93 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE life flourished where social Oda and sociallife flourished. problems, andwhere cultural tional issues, where they solve family, community andna- elder mengatherto discuss ornaments. Itiswhere our traditional medieval orother equipped withafireplace and best room inone’s house, room, usually thebiggest and chamber –isatraditional The oda–literally meaning the parliamentofearliergenerations. The school,themosque,court and about legends, songsandother stories through regular memories to younger generations, whowere able to learn The odaserved as amediumoftransmitting collective communities. information, events, and history to members ofdifferent tradition was indispensable incommunicating important ciety thatstruggled withliteracy untilrecent decades, oral mission ofouroral tradition, folklore andlaws.Asaso- The oda represents an institution essential in the trans- greatest assets ofintangible culture. cept, aholistic idea,whichiswhyitstands asoneofour construct –itis notsimply agatheringplace, itisacon- However, thescope ofodaextends waybeyond itsphysical STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING age to prevail thanksto theoda. wisdom, manyofwhichhave never beenwritten, butman- tween generations andsharingoldstories andwords of It continues to serve asameansto bridging thegapbe- solve local issues. but itstill actsasaforum where mengatherto discuss and nity. Today thisinstitution doesnotholdsuchgreat power, rulings madeintheodawere ostracized from thecommu- Kanun. Families thatdidnotabidebythedecisionsand the odathatenabled thespread ofandadherence to the and theparliamentofearliergenerations. Itwasprecisely gatherings. Itusedto betheschool, mosque,thecourt

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Albanians would rather die than break Besa A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING Besa a man of Besa could be trusted with one’s life 97

It can be translated as honor, faith or trust, but what this uniquely Albanian word with no equivalent in other languages really implies is keeping a promise. The promise given under Besa was what ruled our society since medieval times.

Closely related to one of the Since the birth of national and social mythologies of Besa e shqiptarit si purteka e arit, etj main pillars of the Kanun – Albanians, it has been the moral testament of the people. (the Albanians’ besa is worth more than gold) honor – besa was regarded as the highest authority of Thus, it is considered by many as the single most import- Alma Kushova, Albanian journalist, collecting old sayings this set of laws. It can be ant and defining characteristic of Albanians. about besa. OpenDemocracy, 22 July 2004 Attesting to the translated as honor, faith or fact that besa is our highest ethical code, which is about trust, but what this uniquely Besa e shqiptarit nuk shitet pazarit helping those in need and being a good human being, tran- Albanian word with no equiva- (besa can not be sold or bought in a bazaar) scending faith or even mortal danger, is the salvation of lent in other languages really over 2,000 Jews during World War II by Albanians. implies is keeping a promise. Shiptari kur jep fjalen therr djalin The promise given under besa (an Albanian can sacrifice his own son for besa) The film “Besa: The Promise”, which has won numerous was what ruled our society international awards, tells this story and says that “only since medieval times – a man Shqiptaret vdesin dhe besen nuk e shkelin Albanians would lay down their lives for a stranger”. of besa could be trusted with (Albanians would die rather than break besa) one’s life.

1 “Alma Kushova, Albanian journalist, collecting old sayings about besa. OpenDemocracy, 22 July 2004” AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE in Kosovo of cultural heritage a precious treasure Sofra Gjakovare (Sofra from Gjakova). sofra rituals are Sofra Pejane (Sofra from Peja) andSofra cious treasure ofcultural heritage inKosovo. Most popular organized undertraditional orders andrepresents apre- native manyinstruments like ciftelia orsharkia.Sofra is by generations. These folk songsare accompanied with and treating different socialtopics, whichare followed sit together around the table, singingfolklore songs Sofra represents agroup ofmale artists andsingers who indulgence inlocally madewineandrakija. One practically inevitable partofthisritualis and ispresent atalmost every traditional wedding. The ritualofSOFRAcontinues to bevery popular STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING other Balkancountries. dy, the(unofficial)nationaldrinkof Kosovo andmany made wineand,inparticular,rakija –astrong fruitbran- inevitable partoftheSofra ritualisindulgence inlocally ent atalmost every traditional wedding. Onepractically The sofra ritualcontinues to bevery popularandispres-

99 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING Burrneshat the sworn virgins of Kosovo

Laura Bispuri’s feature movie on the topic of Burrneshat is called ‘Sworn Virgin’ and was screened in the biggest film festivals worldwide. Sworn 101 Virgin features the character of a rural woman from Albania that embarks on an uncertain path to reclaim her original identity after living as a man for 14 years.

“The only formal, socially defined female-to-male cross-gender and cross-dressing role in Europe”

Burrneshat, or Albanian sworn The burrneshat are women who take a vow of chastity, them more rights than they would have as a woman, such virgins, also developed out of dress as men and live as men, for various reasons – some as right to carry a gun, smoke, drink alcohol, become head the Kanun and were mostly women preferred staying with their family, some wanted to of the household, play music and sing, or simply just inter- present in the northern parts avoid marriage, and some simply felt more male than fe- act with men in social occasions. of Albania and Kosovo. male. It is a tradition that is slowly disappearing, but there are still some burrnesha left in Kosovo. What is perhaps most interesting about this dying tradition, is that it is believed that burrneshat are the only “for- Women can become a burrneshe at any age, at the moment mal, socially defined female-to-male cross-gender and when they take an oath to remain celibate for the rest of cross-dressing role in Europe” (Robert Elsie, “Historical their lives in front of village elders. They can then live as dictionary of Albania”, 2010). men – something that in times when Kanun was law gave

1 (Robert Elsie, “Historical dictionary of Albania”, 2010) AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE hands and dances holding songs withDef Kangë evalle tions for thecouple, the intricacies ofliving together, etc. have interesting topics. Some of themexpress congratula - couple. They are accompanied withlots ofinstruments and that person gettingmarried. Thesecond are songsfor the are originalcreations thatare amomentary dedication for strument andare similarto poetry. Most ofthosesongs They’re usually accompanied withDef–atraditional in- she getsmarried. before bride the for are songs first The parts. two in arated These songsare characteristic for weddings. They are sep- momentary dedication for thepeople getting married. Most ofthesongsare originalcreations that are a STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING and therightfoot. forming acircle anddancingbyalternately liftingtheleft vo involves menandwomen, holdingeachothers hands, dancers. Butthecore ideaofvalle happeningacross Koso- munity basedonnationalandreligious belonging ofthe Dances orValle mayvary according to therespresting com- var tradition. dances, therefore they are important in representing Koso- Wedding songs usually go together with specific traditional foot. the left andtheright alternately lifting and dancingby forming acircle each others hands, women, holding involves menand across Kosovo Valle happening

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NURTURING OUR TOMORROW THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN NURTURING OUR NURTURING TOMORROW force inthe21st century. Education asacompetitive STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

105 AS WE ARE 50% 2% 98% NURTURING OUR TOMORROW 50% of people From 94% 98% of primary Overall ratio of under the age illiteracy by school age chil- male/female of 25, a potential 1950s to 2% dren are attend- teachers is equal, that can only illiteracy among ing school. although the be nourished people aged ratio differs in through 15-24 in 2014 their presence in education. preschool and universities. STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING ary schools. and 131second- primary schools hosted in1046 the population, one third of levels, almost ing alleducation currently attend- and young adults 500,000 children There are around 500,000 areas. one intherural cities andalower students inthe concentration of with ahigher dents perteacher, are 16to 17stu- On average there 17 1 age 6to 15. all children from Kosovo isfree for The education in free (ECTS). Transfer System European Credit we usethe framework and qualifications Bologna process adapted to the system is education Our higher ECTS

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GRAND

NURTURING OUR TOMORROW ACHIEVEMENTS Kosovo wants lasting peace and solidarity that move beyond political and economic issues, and this can only be achieved through strengthening education.

One of the very first sen- With more than half of the population under the age of harsh oscillations in development did not break the spirit tences of the Constitution of 25, education is the most powerful tool – in fact, the only of the people and their continued dedication to creating a UNESCO perfectly captures one – with which we can set our country on the right path. better society. the sentiment of the people of Kosovo in its post-conflict Despite existing weaknesses in the system, there has been Today, the illiteracy rate for our young people is only 2%, state-building efforts: “Since exponential growth in the development of education in equal for both men and women. With the help of donors, wars begin in the minds of Kosovo. With teaching in Albanian being banned here in the government of Kosovo was able to rebuild 230 new men, it is in the minds of men 1919, and the subsequent shortage of teachers, the illiter- schools. Around 98% of children of primary school age that the defenses of peace acy rate of Albanians in Kosovo had quickly reached 94% and 82% of secondary school age are attending school. In must be constructed.” Kosovo before the 1950s . Following Yugoslav socialism and the terms of gender inclusiveness, there is an equal share of wants lasting peace and soli- reintroduction of education in Albanian, in the 1970s, the boys to girls attending primary school, whereas for upper darity that go beyond political illiteracy rate had dropped to 30%. Whatever progress was secondary school that ratio is 0.96. The share of male to and economic issues, and this starting then, however, was again shattered by the time the female teachers is also equal on average, apart from the can only be achieved through conflict escalated in Kosovo, during which 83% of schools discrepancy between preschool and university level; the strengthening education. were damaged or completely destroyed. However, these former is dominated by women, the latter by men.

1 Clark, Howard (2000). “Civil Resistance in Kosovo”, Pluto Press STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

Doves by Armend Krasniqi was a TOP 10 winner at #Insta- Kosova, the biggest national competition in photography. GRAND ACHIEVEMENTS 111

In the academic year For the upper secondary level (age 15-18), there are 131 What we need now more than ever is access to a global 2013/2014, in the public schools, with an average of 17 students per teacher. The platform to help with resources needed to fully modern- education sector, there were primary goal in our education strategy is to enable all chil- ize our education system – a platform independent from 27,000 children in preschool; dren, particularly marginalized groups to access free edu- politics, as education and science should be. UNESCO 280,000 in primary and lower cation. That’s why primary and secondary education is free membership would help Kosovo in areas currently in crit- secondary school; 100,000 in of charge and mandatory for all children age 6 to 15. How- ical need for improvement, such as quality of curricula, upper secondary school; and ever, equal access to education and security still remain teacher training, technology used, and scientific and aca- 52,000 students at the uni- issues for children from minorities, girls and children from demic research. We are trying our best to make education versity level. There are 1,046 poorer families. and science the backbone of development for Kosovo, and primary and lower secondary becoming part of the UNESCO family is the greatest support schools (age 6-15), and for The higher education system has been adapted to match that we can receive in this regard. these levels, there are on the Bologna process qualifications framework and the Eu- average 16 students per one ropean Credit Transfer System (ECTS) is being widely used teacher. by institutions and programs in Kosovo. Yet there is much left to be done in order to improve the education system. AS WE ARE A future for all

Today, the illiteracy rate for our young people is only 2%, equal for both men and women

Ensuring social inclusiveness is at the forefront of the national education strategy. NURTURING OUR TOMORROW Inclusive education There is especially a discrepancy in the share of students are also sometimes under- or misrepresented in schools as from the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian (RAE) communities well as textbooks, and Kosovo would greatly benefit from Kosovo is a multiethnic state, – the majority of the students in primary and secondary training programs such as UNESCO’s ‘Gender Equality in and to support inclusiveness, education are Albanian (95%), whereas the share of RAE Textbooks’ or ‘Female Education Planners’. the Kosovo Assembly adopted communities in these levels is only 0.8% and 0.7% respec- a law providing primary tively. While there has been a continuous increase of par- For children with special needs who are not able to have and secondary education in ticipation from minority communities in the past years, a normal education, special education schools and classes minority languages. It allows more cohesive approach is needed – without tackling the have been established. There are a total of 7 schools for communities to receive pre- issue of poverty and unemployment, and bringing schools special education and 64 adjoining classes, held in regular school, primary, and second- closer to these communities, many children will continue schools. Until now, three special schools have been trans- ary public education in their to be left out of the education system. For this reason, be- formed into resource centers, which offer multiple services mother tongue and recognizes ing able to establish Community Learning Centers with the for children with special needs, and the plan is to transform the right of communities to support of UNESCO would go a long way in bridging this the rest of the schools as well. Children with special needs set up private educational and existing gap in Kosovo. in Kosovo used to be stigmatized often by their peers and training establishments and the community, and education opportunities were almost generate educational modules In our efforts to change the traditionally patriarchal out- non-existent. on their culture, history and look, where boys have priority over girls in education, traditions. Classes in Kosovo ensuring gender inclusiveness is at the forefront of the This is changing, but even today, many years after the re- are available in five languag- national education strategy. The attendance rates have im- forms in the system were introduced, only around 10% of es, depending on the locality. proved significantly over the years, but the share of wom- children with special needs have access to any form of ed- en in teaching positions needs to be strengthened. Despite ucation. MEST has developed policies that enable inclusion Although the legal framework teaching being a ‘traditionally female profession’ in Koso- and friendly environment for those children in schools, but has been set, the number vo, looking at the share of women in teaching positions in the implementation of these policies needs time and com- of people from the minority primary, secondary and tertiary education (excluding pre- mitment by all parties, as well as international expertise communities attending school school and special education schools), they make up only from countries that have already tackled these issues suc- is quite low. 40% of the teaching workforce. Women and gender issues cessfully. STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING 113

Focusing on practical skills Vocational education is still viewed by many to be a nar- and vocational trainings so it can support demand and the row route. Students who go to vocational schools become need for quality training in Kosovo. Involvement of diverse Vocational schools in Kosovo, specialized in fields such as building and construction, stakeholders in the design, planning and management of similar to other profession- commerce, administration, trade, etc. Vocational education TVET often leads to incoherent policy frameworks and can al schools, aim to provide provides people with practical skills and the underpinning even be the cause of friction between different institutional students with a more practical knowledge to use these skills, however without a proper stakeholders. That is why Kosovo needs to further develop foundation, suited to the labor labor market needs analysis and a redirection of educa- the plan, and as a country in its early stages of institutional market needs. The duration tional resources, vocational education risks remaining as a reforms, it is not easy to always clarify roles and respon- of the vocational higher sec- dead end for students unwilling to continue university. With sibilities. ondary education, as a part of such an enormous base of young people and limited fund- the pre-university education, ing capacities for tertiary education, vocational education With the help of UNESCO, Kosovo can avoid these mistakes is divided in 3 levels. The first has to move up on the agenda of our education strategy. and look up to other good examples of UNESCO countries level includes grades 10+11, that are succeeding in quality TVET. providing a basic qualification For people who decide to continue their studies through a and enabling employment vocational pathway, a partnership with UNESCO offering within the labor market as access to quality technical and vocational education and a semi qualified worker. The training (TVET) is crucial. This would provide special and second level includes grade unique opportunities for employment in Kosovo. According 12 and offers employment in to UNESCO, quality TVET programs are the main source of the labor market as a qualified vital, special, new skills. Because quality TVET programs worker. are often avoided by governments, countries need to establish national training boards to ensure monitoring, management and provision of heterogeneous systems of TVET. Kosovo is also working towards improving the efforts of the development of quality vocational programs. Joining UN- ESCO would also help create national funds for technical AS WE ARE NURTURING OUR TOMORROW Awards Scientific International Receives Jahja Kokaj laboratories ofitskindintheformer Yugoslavia. in theUniversity ofPrishtina,whichwasone the most advanced academic capacities, Kokajestablished theholography laboratory With theaimofsupportingKosovo inbuildingitsscientificand Using LaserSpectroscopy. Characterization ofThinFilms on Observations, and Nano in Medicine,Astronomy-Mu- Holography, LaserApplication Optical Data Processing and University inthesubjects of Researcher attheKuwait Kosovo, isaProfessor and prominent scientist from Jahja Kokaj,a66year-old Alternative Academy; etc. Scientific Researcher of the Year – Recognition from PEGAS and HelpofCELAprovided to theLaserResearch inCuba; Recognition oftheGovernment ofCubafor Collaboration ter ofExcellence for LaserApplication (CELA) in Kuwait; chusetts Institute ofTechnology (MIT)intheU.S.andCen- nition for Successful Collaboration ofLaserLabMassa- King Faisal International Prize–3rd Place (2014);Recog- achievements. Among others, he has been nominated for and Spectroscopy of field Laser Optics,Mr. Kokajconcludes the2014withyearlong the in career long his during Among numerous awards andhonors that hehasreceived STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING to reach international achievements in his scientificfield. Prishtina. Heiscurrently supportingmanyAlbanianexperts physics attheUniversity ofTirana andtheUniversity of ing modernlasers anddetectors for practicing themodern Yugoslavia. Duringthe90s,Kokajhascontributed to bring- the most advanced laboratories ofitskindintheformer laboratory in the University of Prishtina, which was one of and academic capacities, Kokajestablished theholography Kosovoscientific supporting its of building aim in the With

115 AS WE ARE

The primary goal in our education strategy is to enable all children, particularly marginalized groups to access free education. NURTURING OUR TOMORROW STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING Essentials in advancing

Fostering our cooperation with international organizations and institutions, in order to enable our youth to truly be part of the global society. 117

Promoting Science for the university are being changed – the newly announced vo, contributing to the creation of an effective, efficient and plan consists of lowering admission of students in social transparent public administration in Kosovo at all levels, Every year in Kosovo, the Min- sciences by 30%, and increasing the technical sciences’ ad- as graduates return from their studies to work for our public istry of Education, Science and mission by that share. institutions. For the first time, Kosovo participated in the Technology (MEST) organizes OECD Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) the “Week of Science”, an in- Scientific research is now becoming a main pillar of our in 2015, a test on 15 year old students’ knowledge of math- ternational conference for sci- universities, and the MEST insists that for university studies ematics, science and reading. entists from Kosovo and the to be called such, both the academic and scientific compo- region to present their annual nents need to be part of the institution. We are trying our best not to leave our youth isolated, as achievements in science. Only education within a global context is the only way to de- this year, 280 papers by 600 Moving forward velopment and peace, yet we are still facing hurdles. Be- authors were discussed, and cause Kosovo is not a UNESCO member yet, we are not with many young scientists As part of the education reform, the MEST, together with eligible for millions of dollars in grants given every year by participating, it served as an the EU, has started a labor market study, the indicators of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), as they only excellent tool to promote sci- which will be tied to the universities, as a way of turning work on data provided by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics ence among the youth. universities into agents for economic development. (UIS). This is only the most recent example, as Kosovo and its youth constantly suffer from unfair and unnecessary ob- As part of the education reform In the meantime, we continue to foster our cooperation with stacles that are counterproductive both internally, as well ongoing in Kosovo, the MEST international organizations and institutions, in order to en- as in a wider regional context. is trying to bring science and able our youth to truly be part of the global society. We technology in the spotlight have already adopted and are implementing the framework At this point in our development, international coopera- as drivers of economic devel- of the Bologna process, and we participate in the Erasmus tion is essential to advancing our education as a competi- opment, especially given our Program, the largest EU student exchange program, as well tive force in the 21st century. These problems can only be young human capital. The Sci- as in the Central European Exchange Program for Universi- solved through free and open sharing of ideas, and interna- entific Council of Kosovo will ty Studies and the Academy of Central European Schools. tional sharing of resources – and all that Kosovo is asking start supporting scientific pub- The EU Liaison Office in Kosovo has supported around 190 is to not block our access to these opportunities. lications in international jour- students over nine rounds of the Young Cell Scheme so nals, and the admission quotas far – an EU Postgraduate Scholarship Program for Koso- AS WE ARE

HERITAGE ALIVE ENVIROMENT OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AND SCIENCE HERITAGE ALIVE continue further. because researches would this numberisnot definitive investigated sofar, although of over 1,000flora species Balkans, withthepresence massive mountain inthe represent themost flourishing Cursed Mountains ofKosovo mountains inthiscountry. breathtaking andmassive One cannot miss the STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

119 AS WE ARE HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

121 AS WE ARE

CLIMATE

HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE CHANGE CLIMATE CHANGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING capacity. available generation a total of42MW (=10 MW)with er hydropower plants and somesmalloth- Gazivoda (=32MW) er plantUjmani/ in thehydropow- consists mainly sources inKosovo of renewable energy Right now, theuse

123 AS WE ARE HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE renewable energy development. A developing country infavour of renewable energy sources. feed-in tariffs for anumberof have beenundertaken, suchas In addition,incentive measures for Renewable energy sources. regulatory hasbeendeveloped policy, necessary legal and In implementing thisenergy the Energy Strategy ofKosovo. represent animportant partof But renewable energy sources of about1000MW. and B),withatotal production on its2coal plants(Kosova A ity, Kosovo ismainly relying For theproduction ofelectric- Ministry of Economic Development. in publicbuildings have already beenimplemented bythe • Pilot projects for sanitary hotwater byuseofsolarenergy lar energy (Germany)isbetween 1100and1300kWh/m2. • Thesolarradiation ofthe world’s largest producer of so- and 1650kWh/m2peryear. • Solarradiation inKosovo isestimated to bebetween 1500 Solar energy the largest coal plantofKosovo (Kosova B=590MW) produce the half of the current electricity production of The windpower potential inKosovo (288MW)could MW. have beenstudied: thegeneration capacity would be288 opment ofwindenergy inthe region. Seven project sites • Kosovo could beavery goodstarting pointfor thedevel- MW) inGolesh. • Three small wind power units have been built (only 1.3 Wind Power MW>Kosova plantA(450MW) In total, Hydropower could potentially generate 475 305 MW. cated inPrizren, hasanestimated generation capacity of • Anotherproject, theZhurHydroelectric Power Plant,lo- of 128MW. capacity a with far, so identified been have locations 77 • with atotal of42MWavailable generation capacity. MW) andsomesmallotherhydropower plants(=10MW) mainly inthehydropower plantUjmani/Gazivoda (=32 • Currently, theuseofrenewable energy sources consists Hydropower STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING gies. could reach theEUobjective of20% renewable ener- the international community/European Union, Kosovo In along-term perspective andwiththeassistance of potential ofKosovo. tivities inplace would enable to assess theCO2storage and regulatory framework for geological exploration ac- the coal power plantsofKosovo isconsidered. Thelegal • Inaddition,carbon capture andstorage ofCO2emitted by also reduce methaneemissions from Kosovo’s landfills. of landfill gas as a renewable energy resource, which would • Innovative technologies are also studied, such as the use geothermal energy are alsoseriously beingenvisaged. • Someotherrenewable energy suchassolar,biomass and va B) much electricity asthelargest coal plantofKosovo (Koso- use of wind and hydro power could potentially provide as • Withapotential capacity generation of593MW,theonly outlooks Conclusion andother renewable natural resource. • Thebiomass from theseforests (wood) alsorepresents a mental services suchascarbon sequestration. • Forests ofKosovo have thepotential to supply environ- from year 2002to 2012. face. Kosovo’s forest area hasincreased to 5%(20,200ha) In comparison, theforests inEUcover 40%ofthetotal sur- • The forest area in Kosovo covers close to 45% of Kosovo. Biomass

125 AS WE ARE HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

127 AS WE ARE

HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE WATER STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

The water crossroads of the Balkans

• The topographic water catchment area of Kosovo is 11,645 km2, while the country area is 10,887 km2. It means that the majority of Kosovo’s water resources are internal (93.5%). • The water flowing through Kosovo, joining major rivers such as Danube and 7 countries in the region, reaches all the surrounding seas: —The Black Sea with 50.7% (Iber, Morava e Binces); —The Aegean Sea with 5.8% (Lepenc); and —The Adriatic Sea with 43.5% (Drini i Bardhe and Plava). • Aware of this situation, Kosovo’s authorities are actively involved in international water management programs, such as the Danube Water Program. • Kosovo is also determined to play an important role in the establishment of transboundary cooperative management of river basins, especially for its longest river: the Drini i Bardhë. About 1.5 million people depend on the Drin basin, which covers a large geographical area which includes Albania, Greece, FYR Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro. The Nerodime Bifurfaction 129 • The bifurcation of the Nerodime River, located in the city of Ferizaj, represents the exceptional hydrological situation of Kosovo. • This phenomenon is rarely occurring in the world and the fact that one river flows into two seas is very unique. • The river springs in the Jezerc Mountains and in the village of Nerodime, it splits irreversibly into two branches, which are pouring in two different seas. Northern branch WATER (left branch) flows into Sitnica River and continues its route to Ibar River, Morava and through Danube flows into the Black Sea, while the southern branch (right branch) through Lepenc River and through Vardar River flows into the Aegean Sea. • The Nerodime Bifurcation streams’ beds are currently protected to preserve this impressive natural phenomenon. • It has been put under legal protection as special nature reserve since 1979. This natural curiosity is quite attractive for researchers and visitors and is of great educational, scientific and touristic importance. Other information • The ground water reserves being limited, the main source for drinking-water supply remains surface water. The ar- tificial lakes of Kosovo (Batllava, Gazivoda, Radoniqi, Perlepnica and Badovc) provide 58% of the drinking-water produced in Kosovo. • 62% of the drinking-water produced in Kosovo is coming from surface water (lakes/reservoirs/rivers). • Groundwater and surface water resources are important in the west of Kosovo. They are located in a complex system of the Dinaric karsts area and remain insufficiently known. Kosovo could join projects such as the transboundary project DIKTAS, for the protection and sustainable use of the Dinaric karst aquifer system. AS WE ARE

NATURAL

HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

The forest area in Kosovo covers close to 45% of Kosovo. In comparison, the forests in EU cover only 40% of the total surface.

NATURAL 131 HERITAGE AS WE ARE A SMALL TERRITORY OF 10.908 KM2 / 2,800-3,000 SPECIES OF VASCULAR FLORA / 250 VERTEBRATE SPECIES / 200 SPECIES OF

HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE BUTTERFLIES AND OVER / 500 WATER MACROZOOBENTHOS TAXON / 237 PLANT TAXA, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH ARE RARE, ENDEMIC PLANTS OF BALKANS ENDEMIC PLANTS OF BALKANS OFWHICH ARERARE, MAJORITY TAXON /237PLANTTAXA, THE WATER MACROZOOBENTHOS BUTTERFLIES AND OVER / SPECIES /200OF VASCULAR FLORA / KM2 /2,800-3,000 A SMALLTERRITORY OF 250 VERTEBRATE SPECIESOF 10.908 STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING 500

133 AS WE ARE Natural Sciences Serving Kosovo’s Biodiversity

HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE State of flora State of fauna

• The Republic of Kosovo, although a small territory • In terms of fauna, Kosovo is characterized by a large (10.908 km2), is rather rich in its plant diversity. variety of species, although research in this aspect has not • According to data available by various authors, it been completed. is thought that in Kosovo there are approximately • The richest areas of fauna in Kosovo are mountains’ 2,800-3,000 species of vascular flora. massif (Sharr Mountains and Bjeshket e Nemuna). • This floristic diversity comes as a result of geographical • It is estimated that in Kosovo live about 250 vertebrate position of Kosovo in Balkans, the historical background species, 200 species of butterflies and over 500 water of flora and vegetation of Kosovo, diversified pedological macrozoobenthos taxon. and geological composition, climate factor, the position • The most representative species of the fauna of Kosovo of mountains surrounding Kosovo and impacts of floristic are: Lynx (Lynx lynx), Brown Bear (Ursusarctos), European elements from Mediterranean, Europe and Asia. Roe (Capreoluscapreolus), Wild Goat (Rupicaprarupi- capra), Imperial Eagle (Aquillaheliaca), Mountain Eagle (Aquillachrysaetos), Lesser Kestrel (Falco naummani), Red book of vascular flora Capercaillie (Tetraourogallus), etc. They have a national and international protection status. • Flora experts from Kosovo, in cooperation with regional natural scientists, managed to realize an exhaustive inventory of Kosovo’s endangered flora. Red book of fauna • This inventory provides scientific and detailed information about each threatened species of flora, such as their • The exact number of species of fauna should be level of risk factors and causes that have affected their determined based on the inventory that is planned to be risk. implemented in the future both in the drafting of the Red • There are 237 plant taxa, the majority of which are rare, Book for fauna and within other projects. endemic plants of Balkans and endemic plants of Kosovo. Both of these Red books (Fauna and Vascular Flora) can serve as a guide not only for MESP, but also for all other scientific institutions, NGOs and researchers in general working to prevent negative impacts and other threats to disappear the Flora and Fauna of Kosovo. STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

135 AS WE ARE A small country with a big natural potential to protect HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE

• The last 15 years, the number of protected natural sites has increased threefold. • 80 new nature areas have been taken under legal protection and over 100 others have been proposed. • Two National Parks have been declared by the Assembly of Kosovo – NP “Sharri” and NP PK “Bjeshkët e Nemuna”, with a total area of 115,957 ha. • When it comes to the percentage of territory declared as a National Park, Kosovo is the 2nd country in Europe with more than 10% of lands covered.

• In addition to National Parks, Kosovo has: —One Special Protected Area of Birds —Wetland of Henci-Radeve with an area of 109 ha. —99 Nature Monuments with an area of 5.972 ha. Out of them 66 with botanic character, 17 hydrological, 7 geomor- phologic and 9 speleological. —11 Nature strict reserves with a total area of 847 ha.

• This also includes the Regional Park Germia with an area of 1.126 ha, the Park of Shkugëza with an area of 70 ha and Pishat e Deçanit with 15 ha. this area. lakes found around of amanysmaller heart andisonly one bles theshapeofa Zemra Lake resem- 2,539m high. the peakofGushan, Kosovo, located near mountain lake in Zemra Lake isa STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

137 AS WE ARE National Parks

very rich zone in terms of zoological diversity National Park Sharri • The Government of Kosovo in 2013 declared the Henc/ Radeva wetland as a special protection bird area. The National Park of Sharri covers approximately 53,469 ha. • The area covers 109 hectares It is ranked among the six areas with the richest biodiversity • Natural habitats of the Wetland of Henc provide shelter in Europe. Parts of this rich biodiversity are: to many types of birds, many of which are rare and with an Over 2000 species of plants, about 400 endemic plants, unfavorable protection status in Kosovo and in Europe. 20 types steno-endemic, over 250 medicinal plants, 160 • Until now, 78 types of birds have been recorded, but this types of wood; Over 180 communities (associations) plant; number may result higher if a comprehensive systematic and 32 species of mammals; 19 types of reptiles; 12 types of HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE professional study is conducted in this area. amphibian species; 200 species of birds; 147 species of butterflies. Natura 2000 areas National Park • NATURA 2000 is a European network of protected areas aiming at securing the long-term conservation of the most Bjeshkët e Nemuna valuable species and habitats of community importance. • The areas of “NATURA 2000” represent a joint interest of • The National Park covers a surface of 62,488 ha, or 5.7 % EU and they are proposed by member states. However, as a of Kosovo surface. potential candidate of European Union membership, Kosovo • The massif of Bjeshket e Nemuna, as the largest massif in already started to work on setting up Natura 2000 areas on the Balkans is characterized by a very rich fauna, heteroge- its territory. neous, endemic and interesting. • Kosovo’s authorities have identified 195 sites of high con- • Bjeshket e Nemuna are among the most characteristic servation value and proposed to be protected. mountain massifs in the Balkans in terms of flora and vegetation diversity. • It represents the most flourishing mountain in the Balkans, with the presence of over 1,000 flora species investigated so Mirusha Waterfall far. • Promulgation of Nature Regional Park with a surface of • At Bjeshket e Nemuna, in only alpine and subalpine area, 555ha in 1983. there are 128 Balkan fauna endemic species. • Promulgation of Mirusha Waterfalls Nature Monument of Special Interest with a total surface of 598ha in 2012. Wetland of Henc • The canyon of Mirusha is one of most interesting nature areas in Kosovo. • The downstream of Mirusha Rivers passes through a gorge • The wetland of Henc, also known as “cradle of biological of 16 exciting waterfalls with lakes that make the most biodiversity” providing water and primary productivity for the attractive part of this canyon. existence of numerous species of plants and animals, is a mals and30speciesofbirds have beenrecorded there. amphibians, seven species ofreptiles, 19speciesofmam- • According to theresearch conducted sofar, five typesof and 12are medical types. and otherlow plants,outofwhichfive species are endemic mushroom speciesnotincludingtaxons ofweeds, ruderale flora are evidenced whichare collected in82 families and83 • From research doneuntilnow, 610vascular speciesof in terms offlora, vegetation and fauna. climate conditions, themountain massif Gërmiaisquite rich • Thanksto itsgeographical position,pedological and streams andrivers. slopes, dividedbetween themwiththespaces ofvalley, • Gërmiarelief consists ofhillswithdifferent altitudeand city Pristina, andincludesanarea of1,126ha. • TheGërmiaRegionalPark liesinthenortheast ofcapital Gërmia RegionalPark energy byhydropower. vo, isseenasapotential to gradually start producing approximately 30kmlong. Thesystem ofrivers, inKoso- Kosovo, while Prizren’s Lumbardhi istheshortest inlength, kilometers, approximately 120kminsidetheterritory of According to thelength oftherivers, Drinisthelongest in ime flowing into AegeanSeabasin. Adriatic SeaandLepenciRiver withthemainbranch Nerod- While DriniiBardhë river anditsbranches flow into towards theBlackSeaare IbriandSitnica withitsbranches. Adriatic SeaandtheAegeanSea.Themainrivers thatflow The rivers ofKosovo flow towards three seas:Black Sea, the four mainrivers ofKosovo’s hydro system. spider web shape,Drini,Ibri,LepenciandMorava eBinces are • Withtheirbranches spread outallacross thecountry ina STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING positive outcomes for everyone. efforts through itsUNESCOmembership can only result in global issue, andallowing Kosovo to participate inthese Environment protection andforest preservation isapressing is difficult for Kosovo to work isolated onthisproject. shops andmeetingswillcontinue until2017,however it project started in2013 withparticipationinvarious work - the NationalPark “Bjeshket eNemuna”.Cooperation onthis and explore thevegetation ofoldbeechforests located within ests -CommonNatural Heritage ofEurope”, aimedto protect multiple international partners abouttheproject: “BeechFor- tal Protection Agencyhasalready started cooperation with unique global ecosystem inEurope. TheKosovo Environmen- site notonly “Bjeshkët eNemuna”butmore broadly ofthis forests inEurope, to ensure more effective protection ofthe interested to participate intheprocess enlargement ofbeech a memberofUNESCO,theKosovo authoritiesare highly of natural heritage, anddespite thefact thatKosovo isnot Given thehighvalue ofbeechforests inEurope interms member ofUNESCO. eligible to beinscribedinthelist, asKosovo isnotyet a one ofthosevaluable beechforest sites. Itwasnothowever kët eNemuna”(theCursed Mountains) wasincludedas locations from 20European countries), andKosovo’s “Bjesh- countries ofEurope identifiedpotential candidate sites (44 process ofthebeechforests inEurope, experts from different of UNESCOin2011,for thenew phaseoftheenlargement serial transnational site inthelist ofWorld Natural Heritage Carpathians andtheAncientBeechForests ofGermanyasa Following theinclusionofPrimeval BeechForests ofthe Kosovo beechforests Europe – Joint Natural Heritage of

139 AS WE ARE HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE

Bjeshket e Nemu- na includes the mountains and unique landscapes and is one of the most important areas for biodiversity conservation in the Balkans and in the whole of Europe. tation inourregion. ROPARC Federation, aswell asto itspractical implemen- the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism oftheEU- ensure thatemployees ofprotected areas are introduced to • Kosovo, incollaboration withthe DinaricArc Parks, will attraction. diversity oftheDinaric Arc countries are already atourist • Beauty,culture, geographical positionandbiological creation ofthisinternational nature protection project. • Kosovo environmental authoritiesare participatinginthe venia. Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slo - parks in the territory of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, WWF, aimsto create anetwork ofnature andnational • TheDinaricArc Parks project, started in2012withthe eco-region intheworld. stands even withtheCarpathians, Alps oranyotherknown • Withitsnatural andcultural values, theDinaricArc the AdriaticSeafrom Trieste (Italy) to Tirana (Albania). coastline, stretching over theentire area oriented towards covers some100,000km2andmore than6,000kmof • TheDinaricArc isaregion ofSouth-Eastern Europe that “Undiscovered World” Dinaric Arc Parks, an initiatives. participates actively in several regional and trans-boundary ment Agencyisclearly associated withthisapproach and Environ- European the of member a now being —Kosovo link protected area networks ofneighbouringcountries. areas requires trans-boundary linkages,corridors which border the in habitats of connectivity and continuity —The To Protect STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Protection. sented in this Association by the Kosovo Institute for Nature • Kosovo ispartofthis initiative for years andwillberepre - European Green Beltcommunity. ensure coordination andinformation exchange amongthe • TheEuropean Green Beltrepresents theinitiative and THE EUROPEANGREENBELT ASSOCIATION THE ESTABLISHMENT OF tance like thebrown bear,thewolf, andtheBalkanlynx. • Someoftheseare species ofcommon European impor- endemic, old, rare, and threatened flora and fauna species. and habitats natural of number significant a includes It • include primeval tree stands of theendemicpine. pine landscape, vast mountain grasslands, andforests that and Macedonia, harbours two mountain ranges oftheal- • Thisarea, located intheborder areas ofAlbania,Kosovo “SHARR -KORAB -DESHAT” TRANS-BOUNDARY PROTECTED AREA in theBalkanPeninsula butinEurope aswell. Balkan Peninsula, especially with a very rare flora, not only mountain range inEurope, andthewildest range onthe • Thisregion isconsidered to bethemost inaccessible vation intheBalkansandwhole ofEurope. is oneofthemost important areas for biodiversity conser- muna includesthemountains anduniquelandscapes and Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro andSerbia.Bjeshket eNe- • Theproposed area for protection isexpected to include “BJESHKET ENEMUNA” TRANS-BOUNDARY PROTECTED AREA protected Areas Trans-boundary

141 AS WE ARE HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING A Geological Masterpiece 143

Geology of Kosovo Gadime’s cave

• Kosovo has not only outstanding geological and hy- • Gadime Cave is a cave composed of Paleozoic marble, dro-geological sites such as Gadime’s cave or geothermal located in the village of DonjeGadimje on the eastern side sources of “Banja e Pejës” and “Banja e Skenderajt” but of the Kosovo Valley. also an extraordinary variety of geological formations and • The northern passage contains displays of aragonite spe- landscapes. leothems in a variety of rare formations. • Among these are rocks ranging from old crystalline Pro- • + Text from “KOSOVO IN UNESCO” terozoic to Quaternary age comprising sedimentary and The genesis of a jewel – MARC PERRY magmatic types together with rather less frequent meta- • Text from “KOSOVO IN UNESCO” morphic rocks. • Kosovo is a very important knot in the Balkan geology. In its territory are developed various sedimentary, magmatic Geothermal water and metamorphic formations. • Most remarkable are the Vardari and Gjakove-Rahovec • Kosovo has important thermal water resources, which are ophiolite formations representing the remnants of two mainly used for healing and recreation purposes. branches of the Tethys oceanic basin. • About 30 identified sources of thermal and mineral water • Kosovo is willing to join programs, such as the Interna- in Kosovo. tional Geosciences Program, and gather geoscientists to • The most famous ones are of “Banja e Pejës” and “Banja increase knowledge on its geological resources and pro- e Skenderajt”. cesses. It would enable the country to direct its policies • The overall temperature of thermo-mineral water in the towards of a more sustainable development, strengthening Republic of Kosovo ranges from 17 to 540 C. its natural disaster mitigation program and mineral and • These thermal water sources may also be used for ther- groundwater resource extraction. mal energy production. AS WE ARE WATERY, RIVERY AND

HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE MOUNTAINY STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

The imposing mountains, the bountiful rivers and waterfalls, the fascinating marble cave put Kosovo natural heritage on par with WATERY, other countries. RIVERY AND MOUNTAINY 145

• Recreational and Sport Ecotourism in Kosovo include: Many suitable terrains for the development of skiing. The capacity of skiing terrains of the centres can receive thousands of visitors during the winter season.

The average length of snowfall is 100 days in higher areas of Kosovo.

Many peaks which are very attractive for the development of climbing and mountaineering. AS WE ARE

Mirusha Waterfalls

HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE a series of waterfalls found in the Mirusha Park, in central Kosovo. Over time, the waterfalls have created canyons and caves, which are famous throughout the country and in the region.

Water

With their branches spread The rivers of Kosovo flow towards three seas: Black Sea, length, approximately 30 km long. The system of rivers, in out all across the country in a Adriatic Sea and the Aegean Sea. The main rivers that flow Kosovo, is seen as a potential to gradually start producing spider web shape, Drini, Ibri, towards the Black Sea are Ibri and Sitnica with its branches. energy by hydropower. Lepenci and Morava e Binces While Drini i Bardhë river and its branches flow into Adri- are the four main rivers of atic Sea and Lepenci River with the main branch Nerodime With appropriate water management it may as well be an Kosovo’s hydro system. flowing into Aegean Sea basin. option for employment of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. According to the length of the rivers, Drin is the longest in kilometers, approximately 120 km inside the territory of Kosovo, while Prizren’s Lumëbardhi is the shortest in 2,500 m. km2 andahighest pointof Kosovo, withaterritory of80 Located inthesouth-east of Brezovica terrains. challenging ski well aswideand flora and fauna as known for theirrich The mountains are point is2,500m. Brezovica’s highest investment planismore thanfour-hundred millionEuros Consulting –Campagnie desAlpes”hasbeensigned- the In April2014,acontract withFrench consortium “MDP coming years. of the world andit is estimated to bring even more in up- or business. Thisresort welcomes people from allparts cultural place where people come together through sport mixed population of Serbs and Kosovars make ita multi- It isknown for itssteep andchallenging skiterrains.The STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Mountains andJezerc. la eBajgores Mountains, Berisha tourism can bedeveloped inSha- Nemuna Mountains, thistypeof Besides SharriandBjeshket e and camping. mountain, butalsoexpeditions of walkinginnature, bikingin opportunities for thedeveloment walking innature opensreal Mountain ecotourism and tourists to visitthe natural beautiesofKosovo. step inlowering unemployment rate and attracting more 3,000 jobs.Theprivatization ofBrezovica isseenasalarge within adecade anditisestimated to create more than

147 AS WE ARE

Gadime Cave, also known as Marble Cave was first discovered in 1966. It is a rare karst limestone cave in the village of Gadime e Ulët, while most of it is still unexplored. HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE

Gadime’s Cave

While villager Ahmet Diti was Its name comes based on its location – Gadime village in Ecotourism of caves are amongst the most popular natural cutting stones in his garden in Lipjan Municipality. A site where stalactites and stalag- attractions. Besides Gadime’s Cave, Kosovo has also some 1966, he discovered an mites often meet to form solid pillars, it is 1200 m. long other caves: Gryka e Madhe Cave, Panorci Cave, Pjetërshti- astonishing marble cave – and dates back to millions of years ago. ca Cave, Radavci Cave, etc. now known as Gadime Cave. The Romeo and Juliette story is famous in the Cave – if the Kosovo is improving their infrastructure to provide very stalactite Romeo ever kisses the stalagmite Juliette, the good conditions for tourism development of caves. world will come to an end. Rugova Mountains known asAlbanian Alps). the Rugova Mountains (also become onewiththesky- mountains, whichromantically the breathtaking massive Kosovo, onecannot miss Peja inthewestern partof Getting closer to thecityof one of the four most important centers for the winter sports. The international ski federation ranked AlbanianAlpsas rock climbingandsocialgatherings. Rugova mountains are suitable hiking, skiing, paragliding, the mountains, givingaparticularglow to therocky sides. between in flows riverLumbardh Kosovo. and Montenegro Rugova mountains actasanatural dividingborder between STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING gatherings. climbing andsocial paragliding, rock hiking, skiing, are suitable for Rugova mountains dition. research expe- also for foreign from Kosovo, but and scientists pupils, students activities with and research of educational development potential for the Kosovo have a scientific tourism: • Educational and

149 AS WE ARE

In June 2015, the government of the Republic of Kosovo inaugurated the Crys- tals Museum, with the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Environment and Spatial planning, and “Trepca” as contributors.

Building this modern museum was necessary for the preservation and promotion of our underground wealth, appearing in the most beautiful natural form through crystals.

The museum will be at the service of the industrial culture, universities and science, and will create new opportunities for generations eager to learn about the mineral resources of our country. HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE

Crystals Museum In Mitrovica / Kosovo is rich in Nickel, Lead, Zinc, Magnesium, Lig- nite, Kaolin, Chrome and Bauxite. STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

Marc Perry is Digital Editor for Interfaith Kosovo. Following journalism studies The Genesis in the UK he helped establish a radio show based on BBC Woman’s Hour for Afghanistan’s national radio station. After experiences there of a Jewel he took to religious affairs, humanitarian, and travel writing from the Balkans. He holds a Masters in International Kosovo’s geological journey from Journalism and a BSc. in Applied Environmen- the Proterozoic to the prehistoric and beyond. tal Science.

Kosovo’s high circles of They are part of rich strip of related rocks that extend from hunter-gathering tribes some 45,000 years ago. By the New surrounding mountains, fertile the western Med, across the Alps, Caucasus, Hindu Kush Stone Age women were playing a leading role in artistic explains and central spine of and Tibet all the way to Indonesia. Lead, the metal that pression and numerous human shaped terracotta figurines, low rolling hills have been went on to fuel Yugoslav car batteries and the roofs of some represented as pregnant women were being crafted in built over eons of geological Byzantine Churches and Ottoman Hamams, formed when their hands. The most famous of them all, “The Goddess time. Not only did significant molten liquids spewed into what would then have been a on the Throne,” has come to represent the place she was geo-tectonic events define the shallow sea known as the Vardar Ocean. Limestone that to- found, Prishtina. distinct geographic dominion day can be bought at the side of the road for making orna- that is today’s Kosovo but they mental fountains, developed from the accumulated shells Over millennia life carried on in a slow evolution of set- also laid down the resources of billions of crustaceans bedded down in warm waters. tlement, farming and increasing sophistication through that have sustained numerous Later those same shells would metamorphose under great the Copper, Bronze and Iron ages. By the Iron Age burial 151 waves of competing armies pressure into the marbles that would line the floors of what mounds indicate hierarchies had developed. Then, in the and empires with expanding are today’s state buildings. 1st century AD, Romans, who eventually formed the prov- interests. ince of Dardania, conquered the region. Towards the end of the dinosaur era, when mammals first The oldest rocks in Kosovo are started appearing, the sea that covered Kosovo would re- These metallic ages, from copper to Iron, evolved as man concentrated in the North East treat as flanking tectonic plates of Africa and India col- turned his hand to shaping and subduing natural ores. with scatterings isolated in lided with Euro-Asia. Veins of Gold, Zinc, Lead and Silver Base-metal mining has been a mainstay of the economy smaller pockets elsewhere. developed where rocks, brought together by the collision, ever since, with Illyrians, Romans, Byzantines, Serbs, Sax- merged together under great pressure and terrific heat. ons, Turks, French, Britons and modern miners all under- Their geogenic journey started taking extensive extraction. In medieval times a traveller 1000 – 570 million years ago The same forces that formed gold would keep pushing to recorded that King Stefan Uroš II Milutin kept several silver when the earth was gripped, produce mountains; and the consequent Alpine mountain mines including one at Gracanica. The “third great Balkan like a snowball, in the most building period would push up Kosovo’s plethora of peaks Silver long cycle,” (1395 to 1566) would line the coffers severe glaciation on geolog- well beyond today’s 2000m. not just of his lineage but also of the dynasties’ conquerors ical record. Strata formed by – the Ottoman Sultans. Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent ice and fire would lay down The circle that is Kosovo had been created, but the people would mine 11,000 Kg of sliver from Kosovo in a single the continental bedrock of had not arrived; in fact they had not even evolved. They year. Rich pickings indeed, for an Empire that would rule Kosovo, would not appear for another 65,955,000 years. In the with steady stealth and careful strategy for nigh on 500 only to be drowned out mil- meantime the mountains would be eroded down by weath- years. lions of years later. ering and water, into sediments that would settle to produce rich soils for luxuriant plant growth. Lignite, the fuel Jewellery from prehistoric bangles, to fine Ottoman ear- 240 to 66 million years ago, that powers 97% of Kosovo’s electrizity generation, was rings is the legacy of man’s inventiveness in the region. The when dinosaurs dominated laid down by the accumulation and subsequent decay of silver and gold mined over millennia can still be seen in the life on earth, Kosovo was, for this fertile vegetation in sedimentary basins. national museum, or in the crafted trinkets and ornaments the most part, under water. of the Nemanjic era and Ottoman ages. But, their external Metallic ores that went on to The flat lands of Kosovo, created by the constantly chang- beauty belies a deeper conception, when the sea that cov- form such an intriguing part ing course of rivers and shallow lakes levelling the land- ered Kosovo had only just receded, when early mammals of Kosovo’s human history scape, would start to take form. Forests covered the fer- had just taken their first lung full of air, and veins that originated at these times. tile floor but mountaintops would be stripped of soil by a glimmered, just like gold, precipitated precious metals out period of glaciation during an ice age we are, technically hot fluid rock. speaking, still in. As the ice receded man would arrive in AS WE ARE

During the trip, there are 15 stops that Ambienturists make, including morning picnics by the lakes, drinks by gorgeous waterfalls, and visits to HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE the historical hearts of old towns. exploring heritage Plant atree while Ambienturë visitors to explore Kosovo. both locals andinternational of themost exciting waysfor eco-tourism initiative, asone cultural heritage inanew environment protection with Kosovo started linking released during theirtrip. and date ofplanting,intended to offset thecarbon dioxide Ambienturists plantatree inPrishtina,tagged withtheirname Before headingoutto visitthemore distant locations, torical heartsofoldtowns. lakes, drinksbygorgeous waterfalls, andvisitsto thehis- that Ambienturists make, including morning picnics by the released duringtheirtrip.Duringthetrip,there are 15stops and date ofplanting,intended to offsetthecarbon dioxide bienturists planta tree inPrishtina,tagged withtheirname Before headingoutto visitthemore distant locations, Am- mental protection. local people, and become active participantsofenviron - ticipants ofthetour getto seeamazinglandscapes, meet friendly tour thattakes itsvisitors allaround Kosovo. Par- Ambienturë isarecreational, cultural, informative andeco STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING first-hand aboutsome ofouroldest traditions. small stone castles, where they have achance to learn the Ambienturists spend theirnightsin19century Kullas, the Terzi andFshejibridges,ortheoldtown ofPrizren – tangible heritage –theethnological museuminGjakova, ture, apartfrom visiting fascinating monumentsofour As aninteractive way to become acquainted withourcul- Kosovar food. houses, where theladies prepare delicioustraditional Ambienturists have theirlunchesatthelocal women’s

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HEART TO TECH THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN HEART TO HEART TECH STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

155 HEART TO TECH AS WEARE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

157 AS WE ARE With competent network engineers working for a fraction of the wages paid abroad, Kosovo is determined to make its place in the international

HEART TO TECH HEART TO ICT market.

The information and commu- With competent network engineers working for a fraction of shows a figure of over 72% internet penetration in the- nication technology (ICT) the wages paid abroad, Kosovo is determined to make its country, where over 130 ICT companies operate, 80% fully place in the international ICT market. owned by locals, 10% by foreigners (other 10% is shared Sector in Kosovo has expe- ownership), with an average size of 10 to 20 employees.2 rienced exponential growth Today, public and private education institutions in the IT since 1999. From being almost field, through certified learning curricula by companies Apart from the basic research infrastructure, currently avail- non-existent 10 years ago, such as Innovation Centre Kosovo, CISCO and Microsoft, able within universities and research institutes, there needs Kosovar companies in the provide education to thousands of young Kosovars, while to be an overarching approach to innovation that joins both information technology (IT) the demand for this form of training continues to rise. businesses and research infrastructures. Recognizing this domain today offer a wide need, in the recent years, a large network of public and range of ICT services to both The backbone of the ICT Industry is the Kosovo Associa- private institutions – a few of them featured here – provid- local and international compa- tion of Information and Communication Technology (www. ing support to innovation activities has been created and nies. Kosovo has the youngest stikk-ks.org), which represents the industry. It issues reg- expanded, playing a major role in promoting Kosovo’s sci- population in Europe1, with ular publications on the situation of the ICT Industry of ence, technology and innovation activities. advanced knowledge in ICT. the country, and their 2013 report on internet penetration

1 “Country report - Kosovo”. International Business and diplomatic exchange - IBDE. 2011. Retrieved 2015-06-30 2 “Outsourcing destination: Kosovo”. Outsourcing Journal. 2013-10-01. http://www.outsourcing-journal.org/ ICT market. place intheinternational Kosovo isdetermined to make its of thewagespaidabroad, engineers working for afraction With competent network development. UNICEF andpartners rethink tions LabKosovo ishelping With thisinmind,Innova - advance itsservice to children. technologies thatpromise to by disruptive thinkingand development context, and sition, driven byanevolving UNICEF Isundergoing atran- Innovations Lab information andcommunication technologies to Center pillar combines promising methods with emerging ity building through training and mentorship. The Design importantly—capac- and—most space, office equipment, and sustainable, impactfulproject byproviding funding, acts asa“pre-incubator”, bridgingthegapbetween idea ing a projects, programmes, and social ventures. BYFY implement- and developing experience first-hand with ers impact ideasinto actionable projects, providing young lead- For Youth pillar empowers youth to transform theirsocial specialists, andgraphic andweb designers.ILK’s ByYouth trepreneurs, educators, communications andmarketing engineers, advocacy practitioners, designers, socialen- disciplinary team includingproject managers, software A unit of UNICEF Kosovo, the Lab is home to a multi- STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING and high-impactpublic campaigns. logue through advocacy community outreach initiatives dia- participatory youth—for for opportunities youth—and political action;secondly, YAP generates demand among decision-makers through creative, sustained socialand it equipsKosovo’s youth withtheskillsto engagewith firstly, fronts: two on works YAP heard. be to youth vo’s The Youth Advocacy Platform supportstherightofKoso- to prototype solutions. advances inmobile, opensource, andsocialtechnologies service delivery andtheuseofinformation, andleverages dren. DCexplores challenges andopportunitiesrelated to enhance UNICEF’s service to vulnerable youth andchil-

159 AS WE ARE HEART TO TECH HEART TO match-making. match-making. networking and international incubation, consulting, training, ment ofbusiness idea,through the team andlevel ofdevelop- depending ontheexperience of companies. Itprovides services and developing successful helps entrepreneurs increating of ICK,through whichICK ment isoneofthemainpillars growth. TheIncubator depart- panies withthepotential for start-ups andexisting com- gies. TheCenter supportsboth knowledge andnew technolo - towards thefuture, basedon new jobopportunitiesoriented the business sector, andcreate research anddevelopment with Aims to connect scientific Center Kosovo (ICK) The Innovation many others. and USAID, Democratic Institute tion withNational Women incoopera- Workshops; Week of STIKK; Hackfor Fun cooperation with the JobFair in Choice Award 2015) People’s Global (winner ofNASA’s Challenge Prishtina NASA Space Apps Host for Kosovo); (ICK isaNational Week 2013&2014 Entrepreneurship include theGlobal international events, Some local and space. in becoming viable companies, through their Coworking and teams thatwere engagedinprojects withpotential freelancers, talents, supported and identified also has ICK tute andUSAID,manyothers. of Women incooperation withNationalDemocratic Insti- in cooperation with STIKK; Hack for Fun Workshops; Week of NASA’s People’s Global Choice Award 2015)theJobFair for Kosovo); NASA Space Apps Challenge Prishtina (winner Entrepreneurship Week 2013&2014(ICKisaNationalHost Some local andinternational events, include the Global as avenue for nationalandinternational events. vation andbusiness activityandnetworking, hence, serving ICK becoming avisible andrecognized center for ICT, inno- ministration andcivilsociety. Theevent unitcontributes to improving theskillsofgeneral workforce, publicad- cubator anddeliver market-oriented, highqualitycourses ICK provides specialtraining services for tenants inthe- of Prishtina.Through theirTraining andEvents Department, they own their own premises or they are situated outside that donothave aneedfor hosting services atICK,since Virtual IncubationServices are alsooffered to startups STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Domain (TLD)name. to prepare a report on Kosovo’s application for a Top Level Foreign Affairs, andthey have fundedateam ofresearchers of theDigital Diplomacy strategy ofKosovo’s Ministry of Wiki Academy. They have alsosupported thedevelopment social tech events, suchasBarCamps,AppCampsand Ipko Foundation hasalsobeen very active inorganizing in atotal amountof317,323Euros. were given to merit students from accredited universities, working withdigital media.Since 2009,138scholarships on intellectual property rights,to graphic designstudents potential for economic development, law students focused field IT the on working students economics focus, from a digital ranging with study of field a pursuing Kosovo in The Next Generation Scholarships is for university students established ascholarship fund. As supporters of innovative ideas, the IPKO Foundation has embrace technology, Internet andtheinformation society. of leaders with a digital vision for Kosovo, of people who Aims to support the development of the next generation The IPKO Foundation

161 AS WE ARE HEART TO TECH HEART TO enthusiasm. A collective DOKU:TECH ideas together. things anddeveloping new advance bydiscovering new Both science andDOKU:TECH to create auniqueprogram. accelerators have joinedforces ers, investors, incubators and ators, techies, researchers, do- community ofmavericks, cre- For DOKU:TECHto happen,a Bringing theFuture Closer ing thatexplored beyond thefuture byemphasizing social, Yanki Margalit, Laurent HaugandElizabeth Stark explor- In theprogram of2015,DOKUTECHbrought to Kosovo tional event for coming generations. character ofDOKU:TECHturnsinto amust-have inspira - A smallmiracle occurs inthismanner: theinternational to challenge utopias oftheworld together in one room. all have incommon onethingandthatistheirreadiness neurs and doers coming from more than 20 countries. They Those questions are raised byknown founders, entrepre- are askingthemselves.” together, andhave themaskeachotherthequestions they most complex andsophisticated minds,puttheminaroom arrive attheedgeofworld’s knowledge, seekoutthe In thewords oftheartist-philosopher JamesLeeByars: “To STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING diversity. with challenging natural environments andhighcultural transformative actionsbycombining real world problems Arikia MillikanandMaxGurvitsfocused on waysofcreating path from thinkingto concrete actions?Jan-Erik Nyrovaara, mindset for technology breakthrough andoptfor theright How do we restore this balance, bring forward the winning strated thedarkside ofthisculttechnology. who controls it?Kentaro Toyama andPeter Sundedemon- so low? Istechnology evenly andfairly distributed? Ifnot, But iftechnology is soexceptional, whywasitsimpact portunities thattech brings to society. the future ofdecentralized technology, and theendless op- ecological and technical innovation, innovator’s mindset,

163 AS WE ARE

A space for discussion, for emerging new projects, for networking, for growth. HEART TO TECH HEART TO HackerShtellë collaborative house. open, multi-functionaland initiators like to call it–an center –orrather, asthe And so,it’s becoming ayouth benefiting societyatlarge. would befor thepurposesof the space thishouseoffers, it wanted to re-functionalize It only madesensethatifone activist movements inKosovo. offices of various important radio station aswell asthe the studio ofanimpactful Before that,itusedto house this buildingwasabandoned. HackerShtellë. For five years and cherrytrees, now stands middle ofayard fullofpine Somewhere inPrishtina,the Prishtina Hackerspace+Baushtell box thinking among the visitors of the house.The official house.The the of visitors the among thinking box erShtellë, withthe hopesthatitwillinspire out-of-the- These bio-installations willthenbeexhibited atHack- of them. building computer networks with living ecosystems inside place inmid-July, anditwillengagetheparticipants in or- dayworkshop ganized bytheBiomoddPrishtinacommunity. Itwilltake five a be will event in-house first The ments ofthe21st Centuryhave brought along to humanity. ideals, inlinewiththefar-sightedness thatthedevelop- growth. Itwillbeahomefor maturingideasandmature discussion, for emerging new projects, for networking, for sion. Inits’ entirety, thehousewillprovide aspace for self-expres- and art to dedicated be will floor second The seeks to promote aprogressive useoftechnology. spired bytheworldwide movement in- ofthesamenamethat a hackerspace, become will floor first The purposes. tional, the two main floors of the house will serve separate that identified the need for this to happen. Once fully func- Hackerspace’ andNGO‘Baushtellë,’ thetwo organizations The project wasnamed‘HackerShtellë’ after ‘Prishtina STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING from funds gathered from arecent Kickstarter campaign. equipment suchas computers, 3Dprinters and lasercutters facilitate these activities, there will also be a purchase of lectures andDYI projects duringweekends, andsoon.To for hackerspace members, individualworking periods, free operating systems ontheircomputers, openmeetings where young people can gethelpwiththeinstallation of Hackerspace Prishtina will beginhosting weekly activitiessuchas‘Install Fests’ opens, officially house the Once ‘What doyou believe in?’ hibiting the participating artists’ responses to thequestion with a big 6 hour performance taking place in each city, ex- rich, where similar events willtake place. Itwillculminate The project willalsobetouring through Belgrade andZu- kitchen ofthehouse. discussions, screenings, anddaily mealsprepared inthe Swiss, and local artists with events such as exhibitions, three weeks, HackerShtellë willaccommodate Serbian, ‘BAUSHTELLË: BALKANTEMPLE’inPrishtina.For thenext will coincide withthearrival ofthetravelling artproject grand openingofHackerShtellë onthe17thofAugust

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STORIES CONTEMPORARY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN CONTEMPORARY STORIES STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

167 AS WE ARE STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

169 AS WE ARE STORIES ON CONTEMPORARY

STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES CULTURE CONTEMPORARY STORIES ON STORIES CULTURE Kosovo in2003. curator, duringhisfirst visit in the internationally acclaimed region” declared ReneBlock, avant-gardes ofartinthe “Kosovar artists are the ical situation of the time. Their works echoed across the polit- the towards react and reflect to order in stallations Maksut Vezgishi used video, sound, performance and in- Artists like Sokol Beqiri,MehmetBehluli,IlirBajriand the first ever contemporary artmovement inKosovo. joined bytheyoung andloud contemporary artists, leading Mulliqi, Gjelosh Gjokaj, Rexhep Ferri andTahir Emra, were only inthe1990swhenmodernist painters like Muslim That wascertainly surprising,given thefact thatitwas STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING tional artevents across theglobe. are active, echoworldwide, andare partofbiggest interna- Today’s contemporary artists, photographers and curators Balkans. of whatwasknown atthetime asthewartimesin Balkans, thusbeingaccommodated inpolitical contexts Gallery ofArts Kosovo National Gierstberg atThe Curated byFrits AND THEOTHER PHOTOGRAPHY ALONE TOGETHER: tion/13th Edition tional Photo Exhibi- Gjon MiliInterna- Photo taken during

171 AS WE ARE STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES Flaka Haliti bull’s testicles. Kosovo artists withapairof studies, sheleft herfellow Before moving to Frankfurt for non-political works ofart. new inhervery political/ She usesmediumsoldand new generation ofcontemporary Kosovo. Flaka Halitibelongs to thevery personal exhibition titled ‘Iseeaface, doyou seeaface’ Before representing Kosovo inVenice Biennale, shehadher feminist reactions inthescene atthetime. velopment, theactwasbigandfeminist, oneoftherarest In thatlong-time-ago ofFlaka’s rather dynamicartist de- scene. have noballsto bepartofthedynamiccontemporary art as areaction to hearingmale artists sayingfemale artists a pairofbulltesticles inthecorner oftheexhibition space, the NationalGallery ofArt,Flakaentered andcarefully put During theopeningofonebiggest artexhibition at STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING but oneshared everyday globally. the topic ofborders, beingnotonly Flaka’s personal history resents Kosovo atthisyear’s Venice Biennale, addressing try ofCulture andcurated byNicholasSchafhausen,rep- “Speculating ontheblue”,commissioned bytheMinis- Venice Biennale context. tions were used as a basis to expand and re-imagine the looked different’. Thecore elements usedinbothexhibi- lery of Artsin Prishtina, titled ‘Last time i Googled you, you lowed byanotherpersonal exhibition attheNationalGal- shown inMumok,Vienna.Hersuccess inMumokwasfol- boundaries.” natural andethnic with little regard for are often drawn territories, which cisions madeabout tions ofpolitical de- made manifesta- “Barriers are man-

173 AS WE ARE STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Biennale 2015 of Kosovo inVenice blue atthePavilion speculating onthe Light transition

175 AS WE ARE STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES Petrit Halilaj The funnythingisthatyou’re nothere, nothing is.” the words to resist butinendthere isalocked sphere. “I’m hungryto keep you close. Iwantto find you are nothere, nothingis.” sphere. The funny thing is that but intheendthere isalocked words the find to to resistwant ‘I’m hungry to keep you close. I his nest-like installation called the young Petrit Halilajwith the Venice Biennale presented at Pavilion ever first Kosovo’s Elena Filipovic. called ‘Poisoned bymeninneedofsomelove’ curated by rary ArtCenter inBrussels, withhispersonal exhibition After Venice, hewasfound occupying WIELS,Contempo- flecting onthe country. his personal history andculture, while representing andremembers, himselfandtwo livingcanaries, thusevoking es oftrees, otherobjectsfrom themotherland,hisfamily lation, created space for hischildhoodmemories,branch- Petrit’s work inVenice, considered to beasculpture instal- STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING the timeandcurated byKathrinRhomberg. Erzen Shkololli, director oftheNationalGallery ofArtsat was initiated bytheMinistry ofCulture, commissioned by The Pavilion ofKosovo attheVenice ArtBiennale in2013 2014, ARTFORUM inDecember 2014. which led to beingselected by MaurizioCattelan for Best of July?” at Fondation d’entreprise Galeries Lafayette inParis, This wasfollowed byhispresence intheexhibition “14th

177 AS WE ARE STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Biennale 2013. Kosovo atVenice tion representing nest-like installa- branches for his collected twigsand Petrit Halilaj

179 AS WE ARE STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES

image previously published in Zürcher Hochschule der Künste STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING Sislej Xhafa

Sculpture made of tubular steel, light-emitting diodes, plexiglas, steel cable, alumi- num and plastic, h15 m. Hardaupark/ Zurich 181

It is a young but super dynamic scene that of contemporary art in Kosovo.

Right after the politically loud Starting even from his early works, Xhafa uses the prej- and art critic Shkelzen Maliqi, referring to one of Xhafa’s artists of the first generation, udiced image of “the other”— the bad one and the weak early works, that when he was noticed internationally wan- comes Sislej Xhafa, maybe one, the denizen and wanderer, the foreigner who is per- dering around Venice gardens, playing with a ball, while the loudest and maybe also ceived as a danger to the safety and wellbeing of west- dressed as national Albanian teamer and carrying a small the most political artist, but erners. Just like the feminist theoreticians and activists, or Albanian flag, a recorder that broadcast an Italy - Albania working out of the country and other groups fighting for the rights of marginalized ethnic football match and opening for himself a Clandestine Pa- selecting different mediums, and interest groups, who had used the strategy of twisted vilion during Venice Biennale 1997. Xhafa has been accommo- concepts to raise awareness on the dominating prejudices dated as an internal protester in their respective societies, even in countries that are con- After his clandestine approach to this event, Xhafa had his choosing means of absolute sidered more democratic and advanced (the prejudices of work shown twice and officially in Venice Biennale. The weirdness. machismo, racism, etc), so has the image of the Albanian most recent was in 2013, representing Italy amongst five immigrant (and also Arab and African) in Italy and wid- other artists and in 2005 when together with Adrian Paci er in Europe, been prejudiced as a creature with criminal and Lala Mederith Vula, he represented Albania in its debut predispositions—a bad person, a thief, a rapist, backward, in Venice Biennale. perturbing, etc. His works of art and provocations are to be found not only “Xhafa uses these prejudiced images to challenge and ag- in galleries across the globe but permanently in cities like gravate racist concepts—concepts for which the majority is Zurich where his work Y, an oversized, swing-like catapult not so conscious about.” - wrote the Kosovar philosopher was installed last autumn in Hardaupark. AS WE ARE

Lala Meredith Vula is particulary known for her photographs of women in turkish baths. STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES Lala Meredith-Vula Kosovo. the NationalGallery ofArts, Karen McQuaidandhosted by Blood Memorycurated by personal exhibition called Kosovo for theopeningofher In 2015Lalacame backto The beautyandimperfection ofthefree body underwater. opening ofherexhibition inPrishtina. is avery big thing”-saidLalaVula intheoccasion ofthe their people, theirsociety,for humanityandfor freedom. It fered hugeloss, butalsohow people can dosomethingfor suf- they when even conflicts, reconcile can people how has left agreat impression onme.Iwasamazedto witness “Participation in the events of reconciliation of blood feud and led byAnton Cetta, ahistorian andamediator. Bloodshed, happeningatthetimeinallareas ofKosovo in Kosovo intheearly ‘90swhensheattended anevent of gland for along time,butBlood Memoryrecalls hervisit She hasbeenworking between Kosovo, AlbaniaandEn- STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING underwater. thus evoking thebeauty andimperfection ofthefree body which thenled to anotherseriesofwomen underwater, and the series of photographs of women in Turkish baths in Kosovo showing haystacks builtbyAlbanianfarmers, She isinternationally known for aseriesofphotographs Since thenshehasexhibited widely internationally. the seminalYBAFreeze show, organized byDamienHirst. Before this, in 1988, Lala Vula was one of the exhibitors in

183 AS WE ARE STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES

Installation Illuminated Text on scaffolding 6m x 7m x 3m

© National Gallery of Kosovo STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING of Artsin2012. and Kosova Gallery Kosovo Talks EU Council inKosovo, Kosovo, British Foreign Affairs of by theMinistry of Coley madepossible byNathan Belief” “A Place Beyond

185 AS WE ARE THIS COUNTRY IS ONE GREAT FILM

STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES FESTIVAL IS ONE GREAT FILM THIS COUNTRY THIS FESTIVAL STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING set trends. also helpedKosovo acclaimed event, but DokuFest inaworld not only helpgrow worldwide. Thisdid charm andrelevancy caress it,offering citizens andlet them city takes prideofits occasion whenthe DokuFest isan it really is!

187 AS WE ARE

A wall is a cinema, Gazi Mehmet Pasha a Byzantine Castle Hamam of 16th cen- wall is the most tury accommodates a beautiful cinema on number of exhibitions, Earth. panels and talks Kino Kalaja at happening as part of DokuFest always DokuFest. makes it to the top list of the most beautiful cinema experiences in the world, in any given media. STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES

Kosovo hosts DokuFest, one of It offers the unique experience of watching movies in the Skena Up that started as a student festival right after Do- the most important documen- riverbed or enjoying them in the walls of a byzantine castle kuFest in 2003, merges film and theater. It is an annual tary and short film festivals in that guards the city of Prizren. seven-day festival providing a suitable forum for students the World. local and international, offering them a chance to present Doku accommodates seven cinemas and makes use of their work to the public, creating interaction with audience The Kosovo war of 1999 had every little building, road and old house for their hun- and receiving feedback. left the city of Prizren without dreds of activities that include masterclasses from world any cinema, but after a group known filmmakers and producers, to alternative cinema Skena Up also brings together peers from all over the of friends founded DokuFest in work-shops, to having PJ Harvey with Seamus Murphy in world and introduces students to internationally renowned 2002, that did not only awake a special talk around their joint project that involved using directors, producers, writers and actors. It takes place in Lumbardhi, the oldest open air documentary photography and film for the videos that fea- Prishtina, offering the city not only the experience of film cinema in the city, but it influ- tured Harvey’s ‘Let England Shake’ in 2011. It is an occa- and theater, but a plenty of cultural options and all-night enced the invention of a series sion when the city takes pride of its citizens and lets them after parties. of cinemas across the city. caress it, offering charm and relevancy worldwide. This did When the sun goes down, the not only help grow DokuFest into a world acclaimed event, The biggest and the most iconic film festival of the capital cinema culture takes over. but helped Kosovo set trends. Today, there are seven other city Prishtina is PriFilmFest. Founded in 2009, right after film festivals happening in the young republic. the Independence of Kosovo. the city’s symbol. ered inKosovo in1960,today lithic terracotta figurine discov- Goddess ontheThrone, aneo- of figure the on based dess”, a statue called “GoldenGod- The winners atPriFest receive audience. cal filmmakers an international Kosovo, while offering thelo- best ofinternational cinemato festival thataimsto bringthe PriFest isanannualseven-day from thepublic. and receive feedback their work interact a chance to present tional, offering them local andinterna - A forum for students Skena UP offering meaningfuldebates onissues like humanrights, It aims to promote human rights, freedom and democracy (CDHRF), asapartofthePrague-based World OneFestival. by Councilfor theProtection ofthe RightsandFreedom rights around theglobe. It began in2000andisorganized umentaries, with the topic of drastic violations of human umentary FilmFestival onHumanRightsscreening doc- ONE WORLD /NJËBOTË isanannualInternational Doc- shops, musicevents andvolunteer opportunities. work- offers it films, than other and 2009 in founded was while supporting the community locally and regionally. It versity, richness, andcommon humanityofRomastories, Community andaimingto demonstrate andpromote di- four a One of the other big festivals is also Rolling Film Festival, day international film festival dedicated to Roma dedicated festival film international day STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING with animation experiment andwork young artists to Encouraging Festival Anibar Animation in thecountry. festival profiled animation only the remains Anibar while cultural events happeninginthecityduringsummer, with concerts and parties, it isoneofthemost important filled nightlife rich a offering and locationsdifferent three order to express theirideasandworldview. Screening in young artists to experiment andwork withanimationin of young artactivists inPeja city. Itaimsto encourage Anibar AnimationFestival wasfounded in2010byagroup World Trade Center in2001. remembrance ofthelives lost intheterrorist attack onthe possibilities for young directors. Itwasfounded in2003 an Albanian audience and offering a series of production the capital is Nine Eleven, a short film festival dedicated to topics relevant to Kosovo. Theotherfestival taking place in civil society, foreign policy, environmental policy and other

189 AS WE ARE STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES Art Gallery National Kosovo tional artists. hibitions oflocal andinterna- display space ofvarious ex- visual artsinKosovo. Itisthe It isthehighest institution of from theKontakt ArtCollection. laj, called Thirty Oneandhighlighting31works byartists the most recent between HansUlrichOrbist andPetrit Hali- displays. Itisaregional epicentre for bigshows, including fertile ground for artist development, exchange, talks and ololli, TheNational ArtGallery of Kosovo hasbecome a Run bytheinternationally acclaimed curator ErzenShk- Exhibit Award, “Muslim Mulliqi”. Artist Award; “Artists ofTomorrow”; andtheInternational Exhibition ofArtistic Photography, “GjonMilli”;theYoung The most successful yearly exhibitions are theInternational STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING many otherinternational names. Sebastian Cichocki, CorinneDiserens, Richard Birkett and McQuaid, AdamSzymczyk,Pierre BalBlanc,Paul Elliman, Kathrin Rhomberg, Marcus Meissen, AngelaVettese, Karen tional ArtGallery ofKosovo are Charles Esche,GalitEilat, Other namesinvolved incurating andexhibiting at theNa- have beenarranged andassembled byErzenShkololli. a politically heterogeneous terrain, whichinthisoccasion ropean arthistory butclaimanexceptional status within Thirty One presents works that play an integral part in Eu- of Kosovo National ArtGallery Photo Courtesy of Shkololli Curated byErzen 30 Years After Šejla Kamerić

191 AS WE ARE STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES Conference Graphic Design International REDO occurrences. on local andinternational analysis; allwithanemphasis discussions, andtheoretical ideas andprocesses, panel tendencies, unconventional gaging practices, international shops, whichfocuses onen- lectures, workshops andbook- Prishtina, comprising speaker annual cultural event in The REDOConference isan beautiful oval hall. REDO happeninits presentations of The maintalks and modern Prishtina. iconic buildingof is oneofthemost the NationalLibrary Built inthe70s, become aregional hubfor graphic design. the public/raise awareness about graphic design, and to to create great projects, share ideas/knowledge, educate stimulating talks, inspire ayoung generation ofdesigners national graphic designers, engagetheminintellectually REDO’s core ideaisto bringtogether alllocal andinter- as aplayfulterritory. marches together, bringingtheconference closer to thecity place. Moving from onebuildingto another,theaudience the citythrough various locations where thelectures take It usestheconcept ofstrolling asameansofexploring STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING grammers, are allparticipants. of allkinds,designers, architects, photographers andpro- creased interest inthelast year. Studentsandenthusiasts people from thelocal andinternational scene, withanin- The events have attracted anaudience ofmore than1,000 amongst others. Helsinki Type Studio,Stefan Marx,Lindavan Deursen, Experimental Jetset,CornelWindlin, Åbäke, JuliaBorn, of anever-growing, eagercrowd. Worth mentioningare academia have of gracedfield design frontthe the stage in Respected graphic designers, typographers, andmanyfrom

193 AS WE ARE STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES Art Prishtina for Contemporary Stacion—Center Osmani. Albert Heta andarchitect Vala established in2006byartist art andarchitecture, thatwas institution for contemporary rary ArtPrishtinaisaproject Stacion Center for Contempo- today and establishing new models and possibilities in art thus exploring andresponding to relevant challenges of critical knowledge produced byselected professionals, and anintervention, designedto collect anddisseminate school called ‘SummerSchoolasSchool’ (SSAS) This summer STACION brought to Kosovo the summer and practice can happen. works to create conditions where contemporary thought tectural research, stands for intellectual independence and intents; encourages artistic practice andadvanced archi- differentiated public; works with clear social and political form that employs strategies to buildupadialogue witha and emancipatory approach.It functionsasanopenplat- lenges of the contemporary society with an active, critical chal- relevant on responding and reflecting to committed architects, thinkers, criticsandothersociopolitical workers Since then,Stacion served asameetingpointfor artists, STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING aguide Kosovo. of the contemporary art scene and cultural environment of necessary momentumfor theadvance andemancipation For years now, Stacion is committed to there among others. Amila Ramović andPepi Sekulich, Suzana Milevska, Miran Mohar,AlbanNuhiu,AdrianPaci, Ibro Hasanović, Vjollca Krasniqi, Nita Luci, Nebojša Milikić, Hila, Edi Gmelin, Felix Fritz, Martin Dimitrijević, Branislav Technical Assistant oftheMuseumMoAA,AdrianDeva, including: globally, and education art in figures relevant unique experience and a modelthatgathered themost conferences an evening program andanexhibition, SASS produced and a presentations public courses, core five education andartcollaboration. Structured asahubwith Kosovo. environment of scene andcultural contemporary art emancipation ofthe momentum inthe A necessary creation ofthe

195 AS WE ARE Lambda— Lambda— Lambda

Exhibition view of ‘Daily Business’ showcasing Tobias Spichtig, Paolo Thorsen-Nagel. STORIES CONTEMPORARY STORIES

Is a art space that provides LambdaLambdaLambda was founded by Isabella Ritter and artists, professionals and au- Katharina Schendl with the aim to strengthen the dialogue dience with an intimate and in- between local and international artists. During the summer formal environment conducive 2015, Lamba hosted the exhibition of Tatjana Danneberg. to experimentation, discussion The faces, shoes, the dress and her suit could be read as and learning. traces of fleeting fragments of memories that come to her paintings in a ghostly manner and seem to not be an image yet. Most of the works presented at Lambda Lambda Lamb- da use the inverse process as an attempt to dissolve materials involved. While the glass vessels that could act as a transparent frame to capture fleeting moments are infused with different perfume scents empahsizing the “essence of the past”. scene design graphic alternative has an Kosovo purists. conference for graphic design advertising inanyway. Itis ones thatdoesnotdealwith design. Itisoneoftherare is focused mostly ongraphic ence heldinPrishtina.And international designconfer- Kosovo. REDOisanannual life and work. InPrishtina. to hearhimtalk abouthis to have therare opportunity Design Conference managed Yet, theparticipantsofREDO and almost never goespublic. does notattend conferences, site, nosocialmediaprofiles, than hiswork. Hehasnoweb - known for hiseccentrism other designer andtypographer a very influentialswiss graphic in Prishtina2014.Cornelis somehow CornelWindlinsaid This isaparaphrase ofwhat I amafailed graphic designer. ers were resisting new technology, designwasbeingdone in graphic designofKosovo. Because professional design- and practices. Duringthe1990’s there wasanew tendency were biggerproblems thanfollowing international trends just started doinggraphic design,andthensuddenly there with Kosovo practically beingatwar. Kosovo designers had and Yugoslavia hadhugepolitical andeconomic problems, ern tidewasalsohittinggraphic designglobally. Kosovo sential component ofthedesignprocess. Anew postmod- es- an became Computers designers. of wave first this for But thelate 1980’s andearly 1990’s were alsochallenging specialised ingraphic design. 1980’s, butmostly bypainters andothervisualartists not There were some posters and books made before the of properly designedposters, logos andbooks. modernist approach thatpaved thewayfor thefirst wave were closely related to japanesegraphic design.Itwasa make sensethatthefirst real graphic design influences returned from hisgraduate studies inTokyo. Thus,itwould of Art.ItwasopenedbyShyqriNimani,whohadjust department openedattheUniversity ofPrishtina’s Faculty administration. Intheeightiesthere wasagraphic design Graphic designinKosovo started duringcommunist STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING cal aspectoftheirwork. advertising agenciesto improve theaesthetic andideologi - remarkable work every day,settingthebareven higherfor etc. There are alsoseveral graphic designpuritans doing as theREDOInternational DesignConference, DesignTalks that are helpingcreate anew order ofgraphic design,such in theeighties,there are several individualsandinitiatives sign departmentoftheUniversity ofPrishtinais still caught De- Graphic the Although tendencies. modernist today—by influenced—even mostly is design graphic Kosovo’s war, someofthemreturned withprofessional degrees. left thecountry to goto western countries. After theKosovo 1990’s, more thanhalfamillionAlbaniansfrom Kosovo designers thatcame backfrom studies abroad. Duringthe the 1990’s were thesecond wave, andthe third wave being If graphic designinKosovo wasviewed asalinearprocess, ent typeface for eachpage. trends. Notrarely onecould read amagazinesetindiffer- ly enough, this was rather in line with new postmodern typeface stretching, badly edited photography, etc. Weird- by young untrained people, resulting inanabundance of poster 1976 Shyqri Nimani,

197 KATEGORIA AS WEARE Independence monument of typographic NEWBORN, the attending themanifestations on17February 2008. sign it,anactthat wasfollowed by some150,000people President Fatmir SejdiuandPrimeMinister HashimThaçito ers handed out black permanent markers and invited then agency Ogilvy Kosova. Attheunveiling ofitthe organiz- NEWBORN wascreated byFisnik Ismailiandthecreative first revealed. which were painted brightyellow whenthesculpture was English-language word “Newborn” in capital block letters, independence. Thistypographic monumentconsists ofthe was unveiled on17February 2008,thedayKosovo declared NEWBORN istheindependence monumentofPrishtina.It STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING set inDINBlacktypeface. It weighs 9tons, is3meters highand24meters long, all other acclamations worldwide. tival Silver Award,[6] GoldenDrumGrand Prixandmany Advertising Festival,[5] Eurobest European Advertising Fes- was awarded at the 55th Annual Cannes Lions International havior in significant ways, the prestigious Cannes Gold Lion at the49thClioAwards Festival for motivating humanbe- titions in design category. Silver Clio Award was awarded sign andhaswon prizesinsixmajor international compe- The monumentisaninternationally acclaimed work ofde- Cabral. Comic Artist Ricardo by thePortuguese Dias NoKosovo’ book ‘New Born-10 part ofthecomic this illustration is

199 AS WE ARE

FULL EMPOWERMENT THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN EMPOWERMENT FULL STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

201 FULL EMPOWERMENT Corps are women. and Diplomatic of theParliament third ofmembers More thanone president in2011. elect awoman as the Balkansto First country in Gorani. Bosnians and Egyptians, Turks, Romani, Ashkali, Albanians, Serbs, ones being vo, thelargest cohabit inKoso- nities peacefully of ethniccommu- Almost adozen AS WEARE tions. in most institu - working language es. Englishisthe official languag- being municipal the latter three national and first two being and Roma,the ish, Bosnian Serbian, Turk- es, Albanian, official languag- Kosovo hasfive ë STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING tation since 2008. and sexual orien- gender, religion based onrace, discrimination Balkans thatbans only oneinthe stitution isthe Kosovo Con- #lovewins #lovewins the centuries. harmony over religious for cultivating is renowned here. Kosovo are practised a dozenfaiths More thanhalf olympic medal. won ourfirst Committee, we national Olympic joining theInter- 2015, soonafter champion. In Kosovo isa

203 AS WE ARE FULL EMPOWERMENT STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING

205 AS WE ARE

In June 2015, thousands of women’s dresses were hung on clotheslines across the field of Prishtina’s football stadium, as part of an art installation by Kosovo born-artist, Alketa Xhafa Mripa, dedicated specifically to these surviving women and aimed at break- ing the silence on Kosovo’s wartime rapes. FULL EMPOWERMENT for theregion An example in thelast decades. tation ofwomen ininstitutions steadily increased its represen- Jahjaga –in2011,andhas female president –H.E.Atifete first Balkan country to elect a the region. Kosovo wasthe ing hard to setanexample for gender equality,we are work- ginalized groups. In terms of initiatives thattarget mar- framework andencouraging establishing amodernlegal for this developmental lagby it isnow tryingto compensate areas suchassocialequality, accumulated initspast, in baggage thatKosovo has Despite theunfortunate in institutions in thelast decades. and hassteadily increased itsrepresentation ofwomen to elect afemale president –H.E.Atifete Jahjagain2011, Kosovo wasthefirst Balkan country to 15%in2014,but itstill remains lower thaninthe region. ownership ofproperty hasalmost doubled from 8%in2012 still renouncing theirrightsto family inheritance. Female education. And,althoughafamily lawexists, women are families, priorityisgiven to male children whenitcomes to and political partiesare still male-dominated. Inpoorer quotas, there are few women indecisionmakingpositions gender equalityisadaily reality. Despite therepresentation is still alargely patriarchal society,andourstruggle for There are however manychallenges thatremain. Kosovo mandated 40%threshold. ed government positionsstill remains underthelegally Kusari-Lila, was elected, althoughrepresentation Mimoza ofwomen inappoint- mayor, awoman that time first the mats abroad are women. The2013local elections marked the Central Election Commission and one third of our diplo- of head The portfolios. influential very hold government ta. Althoughfew innumber,thefemale ministers inour be noted thatabouthalfofthemare elected withoutquo- the second highest representation in theregion. Itshould the parliament,32.5%ofMPs inKosovo today are women, Partly thanksto a30%quota for female representation in STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING gional leaders ofinclusive socialdevelopment. women willreach fullempowerment andtruly become re- access to education andstrong female role models, our Step bystep, with initiatives suchasthisone,withbetter international mediacoverage. inciting alocal debate, theinstallation alsoreceived heavy at break thesilence onKosovo’s wartimerapes. Apartfrom dedicated specifically to these surviving women and aimed art installation byKosovo born-artist, Alketa Xhafa-Mripa, across the field of Prishtina’s football stadium, as part of an thousands ofwomen’s dresses were hungonclotheslines being taken to remove thisstigma ofvictims.InJune2015, timated 20,000 women were raped. Nevertheless, steps are survivors ofsexual violence duringwartime,where anes- 15-49. Thisisvery concerning inasocietywithsomany aged men of than women of percentage higher a by tified 2015) shows that domestic violence against women is jus- A recent survey conducted byUNICEFinKosovo (MICS

207 AS WE ARE

Vlora Çitaku donat- ing the skirt she wore on Kosovo’s Independence Day on 17th of February 2008, in support of the wartime rape survivors during the campaign ‘Thinking FULL EMPOWERMENT of you’ of the artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa. that sheis Like awoman tives, etc. rights agents,RAErepresenta- representatives, artists, human with women’s association’s pean Integration, to meetings related to theprocess ofEuro- meetings ranging from those Vlora’s agendawasfilled with ister ofEuropean Integration, cause. Duringherterm asMin- and women empowerment lobbyist inthegenderequality is apassionate hard working ister ofEuropean Integration, Consul inNew York andMin- ington, previously aGeneral pointed Ambassador inWash - Vlora Çitaku, thenewly ap- a hardworking, multitasking, ethical andsensitive leader. Works “like awoman” —yes, thatexpression shouldexist to describe American University inKosovo, to changing nationalpol- to –from start-ups ofeducational institutions, suchasthe allowed her to excel ineverything that sheputshermind economic development. Mimoza’s remarkable energy has things right,whetherthecause wasgenderequality or the long years ofdedication andperseverance inmaking her mandate inGjakova in2013.That wasallthanksto Mimoza Kusari-Lila, the first female mayor in Kosovo, won represents Kosovo inWashington. da, openedherdoors to theLGBT community, andtoday war in Kosovo, advanced the communities inclusion agen- request justice for thevictimsofsexual violence duringthe managed to do before, strongly supported the initiative to the gender equality agenda at arate that no otherpolitician challenges, Vlora pushedthe European Agenda and moved dices onthesources andcauses ofhersuccess. Despite the to European integration, and that of fighting the daily preju- surefrom tocitizens the deliver mattersspecific on related as apoliticianandleader ofaninstitution, thatofthepres - tiple challenges: thatofdelivering andproving thesuccess A woman politician in Kosovo lives and works against mul- Minister ofEuropean Integration in2011. ister ofForeign affairs during2010-2011,before becoming parliament for theperiod2007-2010andthenActingMin- aftermath ofthewarinKosovo. Vlora wasamemberofthe son for KLA. She was among the first to join the PDK in the journalist for foreign mediaandthenservingasspokesper- in Kosovo’s history, in1998-99,whenshewasworking as period difficult very a at started politics in careerVlora’s STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING hm ht h pt hs en ae fr hm t difficult at them times, andthatthey shouldnever give up. for paved been has path the that them remind to leaders, women future our of offices decorating proudly tell to theirdaughters, andtheirportraits willbe sari-Lila amongothers, willbethestories mothers will One dayPresident Jahjaga, Ambassador Çitaku, Mayor Ku- the gamethere. before decidingto gobackto herhometown andchange Minister ofTrade andIndustry, where shestayed until2013, as theDeputy Prime Minister of theRepublic Kosovo and policies andtrade agreements. In2011,shewasappointed became very politically influential, changing national fiscal American ChamberofCommerce inKosovo, whichquickly Later shemoved from thepolitical spotlightto start upthe beliefs. have suchapositionwhile remaining impartialinpolitical to woman first the being for citizens many from sympathy the Kosovo government for more thanayear, garnering of Kosovo Bajram Rexhepi. Shewastheface andvoice of spokesperson andpolitical advisorto thenPrimeMinister the became she when 2003 in first politics was to exposed business, buthasnever shiedawayfrom politics.Mimoza political ambition–shecompleted hergraduate studies in keep abalance between herentrepreneurial drive andher to desire her reflect choices Minister.career a Her as icies

209 AS WE ARE

A COMMON

FULL EMPOWERMENT SPACE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

We have put efforts into building a civic democracy, in which we celebrate the diversity and individuality of all communities cohabiting in Kosovo. A COMMON SPACE 211 We have put efforts into building a civic democracy, in which we celebrate the diversity and individuality of all communities cohabiting in Kosovo.

In the last decade, Kosovo The cultural mix that the European Union takes such pride Significant efforts have been made in political representa- has become a renowned in is manifested in Kosovo in an even more pronounced tion as well. In municipalities where a certain community example of religious peaceful way, strengthened by the various layers of history created represents over 10% of the population, it can have a Dep- coexistence and multicultur- by the remarkable people sharing this common space. uty Mayor as their representative. Out of 120 seats in the alism. Moving past the ethnic Parliament, 20 are reserved for non-majority communities, conflict that escalated in Eight larger communities live in Kosovo – Albanians, and no amendment to the constitution can be made without 1999, we have put efforts Serbs, Romani, Ashkali, Egyptian, Turks, Bosnians and Go- having two thirds of those 20 MPs agree. into building a civic democra- rani. They all have their own language, their old customs, cy, in which we celebrate the their traditional clothes and food, and our Constitution tries And although there are limitations in enforcing minority diversity and individuality of to accommodate this richness by requiring the state flag rights across the board, reports from the Ombudsperson all communities cohabiting and seal to reflect its multi-ethnic people. We are one of indicate that human rights protection is continually pro- in Kosovo. the few countries that have no lyrics for our anthem, pre- gressing in Kosovo. However, similarly to the challenges in cisely for this respect of symbolic neutrality. The official gender equality, we are lacking full representation in insti- languages are Albanian and Serbian, whereas the Turkish, tutions, in private businesses, civil society and education. Bosnian and Roma languages are official at the municipal Full social and economic integration of all communities is levels. We also have national television and radio programs one of the priorities for Kosovo, and is the only way we will broadcast in all the above mentioned languages, as well as become a fully developed citizen state. an abundance of local private radio and TV stations. AS WE ARE

ALBANIANS ROMA, ASHKALI TURKISH GORANI BOSNIANS SERBS AND EGYPTIAN

The largest commu- The Roma, Ashkali, Most of the Turkish The Gorani are one Bosnians, slavic The second largest nity in Kosovo, Alba- and Egyptian commu- community in Kosovo of the smaller com- people originally from community in Kosovo, nians comprise a pop- nities are recognized lives in the region munities in Kosovo. Bosnia, whose native the Serbs number ulation of 1,600,000. as separate under the of Prizren. There About 7,000 Gorani language is Bosnian, around 100,000 living Spread throughout Constitution of Kosovo. are about 25,000 live in Gora, a rural are predominantly in Kosovo, living in Kosovo, their native They are sometimes of Turks in Kosovo, region in the farthest Muslim. The com- different areas across language is Albanian. referred to as the RAE speaking Turkish and south of Kosovo, munity counts about Kosovo, including Albanians do not community - which identifying as Muslim. between Macedonia 60,000 people in the north, east and necessarily identify is incorrect, as each The Turkish language and Albania. Gorani Kosovo today, spread south, in cities such with one religion - al- of these communities is also widely spoken consider themselves out across different as Mitrovica, Gjilan though predominantly is different. There are in certain Albanian Muslim, whereas their regions. and Gracanica. They Muslim, there are about 9,000 Romani, communities living language is similar speak Serbian and Albanian Catholics, 15,000 Ashkali and in Peja, Mitrovica, Pr- to Serbian and Mace- are followers of the Bektashi, Jewish, etc. 11,000 Egyptians living ishtina and Gjilan, es- donian. Serbian Orthodox in Kosovo. The lan- pecially among older Church, which has guages used vary for family members. four sites registered each community de- in the UNESCO World pending on where they Heritage List. live, and they include Romani, Albanian and Serbian language. All three communities are predominantly muslim. FULL EMPOWERMENT STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING year. On thesamedaythis that wasrepeated government, anact the front sideofthe LGBT flag covered On thatdayabig against homophobia. of Pristina to march took to thestreets and politicians, known publicfigures 17 May2014,well- For thefirst time,on community. group for theLGBT create acoordinating ment passed abillto late 2013,theparlia- based marriages’. In well theideaof‘love and accommodating ‘sexual orientation’ tion exclusively on banning discrimina- region andEurope, constitutions inthe the most liberal Kosovo hasadopted pendence in2008, Declaring Inde-

213 AS WE ARE FULL EMPOWERMENT Alive andKicking Nice meetingyou! Youngest, freshest, fastest-learning nationaround. new businesses. funds for opening were provided with and another300 vocational areas, in professional and training programs, from entrepreneurial Kosovars benefited Around 1000young public life. aiming to empower youth in 2013-2017 wasapproved The Kosovar Youth Strategy areas. education, business, orother development –beitinculture, only tool to fast andconcrete portant asset. Theyouth isour considered asourmost im- under theageof35,youth is over 70%ofitspeople are youngest populationinEurope Being acountry withthe a variety of domestic festivals andevents suchasInterna- Our talented youth are alsoexpressing theirtalent through val, Montreux JazzFestival, etc. International Film Festival “Berlinale”, Cannes Film Festi- Venice Biennale ofArchitecture, Venice ArtBiennale, Berlin prestigious international cultural events, includingthe the presence ofitsyoung artists andmusiciansatthe most 2011, aspartofitscultural diplomacy, Kosovo hasensured most representative youth association inthecountry. Since The Central Youth Action Council was established, as the businesses. and another300were provided withfundsfor openingnew ial training programs, inprofessional andvocational areas, from entrepreneurbenefited Kosovarsyoung - Around1000 STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING formation technology. it isimportant to increasingly promote business andthein- mography andEnglish-speaking citizens, businesses locate theircorporate websites. Given itsde- to obtain itstop level domainsoon to make iteasierto 76.6%, and based on households is 84.8%. Kosovo hopes global staticstics. Internet penetration basedonusers is Kosovo’s internet usageandpenetration iscomparable to International AnimationFestival inPeja. Prizren, “DAM” Festival and“ReMusica” in Prishtina, Anibar in “DokuFest”, festival film short and documentary tional

215 AS WE ARE

In March 2015, Kosovo’s Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) has submitted a formal application for admission to the Union des Associa- tions Européennes de Football (UEFA) as its long and immense effort has started to bear fruit. FULL EMPOWERMENT and styles in different sports Olympic youth Games. tional, Olympic debutatBaku made theirofficialinterna- 19 young Kosovan sportsmen event.Kosovo madehistory as Kosovo’s debutatanOlympic Baku 2015European Gamesin won thebronze medalat young judokaNora Gjakova has started to payoff asthe Kosovo-wide. Theinvestment 12 sportshallswere built Olympic Committee, while sports federation andKosovo’s 100% increase insubsidiesfor received amajorboost with a Kosovo young sportsmen Olympic Committee inDecember 2014. having beengranted fullmembership bytheInternational The new Balkanstate hasachieved remarkable results after ture GolfMasters. Kosovo isalsoaprovisional memberof Adven- World time first the for host will Kosovo 2016, In as itslong andimmense effort hasstarted to bearfruit. Union desAssociations Européennes deFootball (UEFA) has submitted aformal application for admission to the In March 2015,theFootball Federation ofKosovo (FFK) sociations. (UWW). Kosovo isamemberofover 30 global sportsas- Kickboxing Federation (IKF)andUnited World Wrestling tion (WTF),World Chess Federation (FIDE),International nationale deVolleyball (FIVB),World Taekwondo Federa- ternational Boxing Association (AIBA),Fédération Inter- (FINA), UnionCycliste Internationale (ICU),andalsoIn- Federation (FIBA),Fédération Internationale deNatation of Athletics Federation (IAAF),International Basketball al sportsfederations, includingInternational Association sealed Kosovo’s accession to several majorinternation - Olympic Committee inDecember, 2014. Thisdevelopment having beengranted fullmembership bytheInternational The new Balkan state has achieved remarkable results after STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING countries have never won amedalatOlympic Games. to winamedalat Rio 2016Olympic Games. More than70 champion, MajlindaKelmendi,said that herlife dream is most successful team inhistory. Kosovo’s pride,judoworld Year for 2014,asthecoach ofR.S.C.Anderlecht, Belgium’s Hasi, hasbeenelected Belgium’s Pro League Coachofthe Messi. Anotherformer Kosovar football player, Besnik the Week, along withArgentina’s andBarcelona’s Lionel national team, Granit Xhaka,wasintheEuropean Team of the 2014World CupinBrazil. Histeammate intheSwiss Xherdan Shaqiriscored oneofthetwo only hat-tricksat World Boxing Championships 2015inTaipei. Kosovo-born World ChampionshipmedalatAIBAWomen’s Junior/Youth boxing first Kosovo’s won has Sadiku Donjeta styles. and Kosovo youth isconstantly succeeding indifferent sports versus Haiti,on5March 2014,inMitrovica. firstteamplayedits historical international matchfootball of theFIFA, asofJanuary 13,2014.TheKosovo national It isallowed to playinternational football withmembers Fédération Internationale deFootball Association (FIFA).

217 AS WE ARE FULL EMPOWERMENT environment! A young media tainable medialandscape. difficulties to buildingasus - Kosovo would face significant ing, itisperfectly logical that of transition andstate-build- resolutely facing challenges atic policyofapartheid,and grim oppression andasystem- people have gonethrough from adevastating war,whose A newborn country, emerging as never before, whichisinevitable intheera ofinternet. to printandtelevision media,onlinejournalismhasgainedground Kosovo hasalarger andamore diverse mediamarket. Inaddition Sixteen years after thewarandseven years after independence, journalists from groundless complaints. aim isto protect thecitizensfrom false information andthe nalists ofvarious newspapers andnews agenciesandits Council ofKosovo is aself-regulatory bodyfound byjour- tion reflects multi-ethnicityandgenderdiversity. ThePress are elected bytheAssembly ofKosovo anditscomposi- their work inlinewiththeCodeofConduct.Itsmembers IMC licenses publicandprivate broadcasters andmonitor pendent MediaCommission (IMC),established in2015. Independent mediaregulatory bodiesincludetheInde- nationwide. er media in Serbian and other minority languages operate towards non-majoritycommunities inKosovo. Several oth- minorities, aspartoftheongoingpositive discrimination its TVservices byaddingRTK2,dedicated to members of the publicservice broadcaster inKosovo, RTK,expanded before, whichisinevitable intheera ofinternet. In2013, sion media,onlinejournalismhasgainedground asnever more diverse mediamarket. Inadditionto printandtelevi - seven years after independence, Kosovo hasalarger anda to international donations. Sixteen years after the war and al community, andseveral private onessprungupthanks public TVandradio broadcaster, withthehelpofglob- their own mothertongue. Endofthewargave birthto the ulation waspredominantly bannedfrom havingmediain Before the1998-1999Kosovo War, majority-Albanianpop- STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING Kosovo’s medialandscape. dia pluralism provide a positive outlook for the future of ber ofcountries withalong tradition offree mediaandme- Nevertheless, thesurprising successes compared to anum- fessionalism. environment for thejournalists, fundingandoverall pro - challenges, including access to information, afriendlier the Freedom House,Kosovo hasto overcome important continuous progress andsurpass “partly free” rating by itative improvement inthemedialandscape. To achieve young mediaenvironment, certainly needsfurtherqual- It comes as no surprise that Kosovo, characterized with a states, often hampers theirobjectivity. is notinharmonywiththepractices ofmost EUmember vices broadcasters ontheKosovo Assembly budget, which of the media, including the dependence of the public ser- Various researches have shown that the financial instability Macedonia. bers states, includingGreece, Bulgaria,Montenegro and much better thanitsneighbors, somewhichare EUmem- ers WithoutBorders, Europe’s youngest country performs According to the2015Press Freedom Index bytheReport-

219 AS WE ARE

Tens of women and men walked during the last gay parade, happening in the capital city Prishtina. FULL EMPOWERMENT in Kosovo of expression freedom can support UNESCO Public Policy Consultant Agon Maliqi, often heavily polarized. frictions. Publicdiscourse is are asource ofdeepsocial low andmanylive inpoverty, a timewhenincomes are still economic transformations, at These vast institutional and 2008. independence asrecently as process, havingdeclared completed itsstate-building country thatstill hasn’tfully ders. Most importantly, itisa bloody conflicts onitsshoul- and holdingtheweight of traditions ofdemocratic rule while havingno previous build inclusive institutions a young democracy tryingto a market economy. Itisalso now tryingto start anew as deindustrialization andis omy thathasgonethrough mer centrally plannedecon- parallel transitions. Itisafor- country undergoing several Kosovo isadeveloping ly transforming theminto spin services for special inter- media platforms andcommercial pressures are increasing- business andpolitical interests control most ofthemain great challenges inKosovo. Themainoneisthe fact that Nevertheless, freedom ofexpression currently faces two prison inKosovo because of whatheorshesaid. not state-sponsored efforts. Nojournalist or individualisin But theseare mostly sporadic assaults byindividualsand their views andpublicengagements onsensitive issues. have beencases where people were threatened because of is largely conservative onsocialmatters. Ofcourse, there face anyconsequences, even thoughmainstream society support for LGBT rightsorpromote atheistic ideasandnot For example, people inKosovo can freely express their cate even bythestandards ofmanydeveloped countries. This includescommentary onsocialissues thatare deli- larly criticized and where taboos are challenged head on. regu- are figures powerful and politicians where media of expression andchallenges to authority. There isaplethora Nevertheless, Kosovo’s mediascene isvibrant withfree inant ideas. or thatchallenge theauthorityofpowerful people ordom- opinions thatgoagainst thecurrents ofthemainstream, cally different opinionsfrom theirown. Especially those ern Europe, people are still learning how to handle radi- and, just like inmost partsofformerly authoritarian East- Democratic mediaemerged only inthelast two decades STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING for theDevelopment ofCommunication (IPDC). programs, especially through theInternational Programme provide valuable support in the future through its relevant provide it.Thisisoneparticulararea where UNESCOcould media could usethesupportofanyone who iswillingto future challenges outlinedabove. Inthisregard, Kosovo’s more can and should bedone to address the current and provided bydevelopment assistance programs. Butmuch it istoday thanksto thegenerous andsubstantial support Kosovo’s media scene has grown and developed into what become astandard norminpublicdiscourse. of theblogosphere has allowed libelanddefamation to cost ofeditorial qualityassurance, asthefree commentary roots engagementinpublicaffairs. Butithasdonesoatthe mocratized themediascene, creating space for more grass- the mainshapers ofpublicdiscourse. Thistrend hasde- monopoly oftraditional medialike TVandnewspapers as merous internet sites andsocialmediaare challenging the is caused bytherapid changesinmediatechnology. Nu- The second challenge to freedom ofexpression inKosovo heard. channels, andassuchdiverse views can beexpressed and most every specialinterest hasaccess to itsown media less pluralism inthemediascene, inthesensethatal- self-censorship. Thegoodthingisthatthere isneverthe- ests. Thisindirectly ordirectly forces journalists towards publication. exclusively for this article waswritten analysis blog. This coming opinionsand “S’bunker”, aforth- co-founding editor of He isthecreator and Prishtina, Kosovo. and blogger from tant, op-edwriter public policyconsul- Agon Maliqiisa

221 AS WE ARE INTERFAITH HARMONY

FULL EMPOWERMENT IN KOSOVO STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING

A church and a mosque share the same garden in the city of Ferizaj, INTERFAITH Kosovo. HARMONY IN KOSOVO 223 AS WE ARE The International Interfaith Initiative in Kosovo

“Kosovo has a story to “In Kosovo we have a tell – a story of a tortured particular situation in which history, war, conflict but the majority of people also of progressive nation- are following the Islamic building and forward-looking tradition but some of the FULL EMPOWERMENT post-conflict society. Seldom most important religious in today’s world you find a sites belong to Christian country with overwhelming tradition, particularly that of Muslim population, where the Orthodox Church. Is this Jewish rabbis feel like rock a contradiction? No, I would stars, where the main city say that this is an asset squares carry statues of and an opportunity to build Catholic saints like the relations based on mutual Mother Theresa of Calcutta, acceptance and understanding whose father was a Kosovar that all cultural and religious and where secular society monuments are the wealth of is at peace with the religious us all.” domain.” — Father Sava Janjić, — Petrit Selimi, Abbot of Visoki Dečani Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Monastery in Kosovo of the Republic of Kosovo International Politics CNU Professor of — Dr. TinaKempinReuter, focus on.” counter-extremism efforts to politically andstrategically, for to beanidealmarket, both and tolerance. Kosovo seems spread messages of moderation and findinnovative ways to provide thesetypesofservices exceptionally well suited to location andhistory, make it together withitsgeographical strong tiesto theWest. This, population combined with well-educated young Muslim addition, Kosovo hasalarge, different communities. In of experience accommodating for along timeandhasalot engaged ininterfaith dialogue Kosovo hassuccessfully “As thisconference illustrates, STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING of IslamicStudiesinPrishtina Vice-Dean to the Faculty — BesaIsmaili, do asgrassroots activists.” visible thegreat thingsthey all from modesty andmake should unchainthemselves in mosquesandchurches of religion. Women andyouth sometimes served inthe name against patriarchy thatis imperative to themto stand and theBible sayisan faith, aboutwhattheQur’an attaining knowledge about the have theunderstanding that “Women offaiths inKosovo Constantinian Order ofStGeorge Council MemberoftheSacred Military Rocco diTorrepadula, — Prince DonCristoforo importance.” on issues ofsuchcritical to debate andexchange views cultural andreligious spectrum group across thegenerational an impressive international fourth year. Itbrought together hold suchaconference for the of bothtimeandresources to and substantive commitment should make suchavisible fair share ofsectarian tragedy having known more thanits a smallyoung country who hold inthehighest respect subjects, butonecannot but of interesting anduseful come andgoonavariety “International conferences

225 AS WE ARE FULL EMPOWERMENT

“Kosovo has a story to tell – a story of a tortured ness has been present in Kosovo for centuries, be The initiative started with a small workshop and history, war, conflict but also of progressive it with medieval Christian churches and monas- a multi-lingual web portal interfaithkosovo.org, nation-building and forward-looking post-con- teries always being guarded by Albanian tribes- and has quickly established itself as a key inter- flict society. Seldom in today’s world you find a men, or Serbian Orthodox holy places in Kosovo faith platform, not just in Kosovo, but globally as country with overwhelming Muslim population, being used by Muslims when they were seeking well. Since its start, a flagship event – the Inter- where Jewish rabbis feel like rock stars, where cure and hope for their sick family members, or national Interfaith Conference – has been orga- the main city squares carry statues of Catho- Kosovo Bektashi Muslims traditionally growing nized every year to highlight global issues and lic saints like the Mother Theresa of Calcutta, and selling wine. Thus, with Kosovo being one over 600 participants from more than 60 countries whose father was a Kosovar and where secular the most remarkable examples of peaceful reli- have participated in events organized in Kosovo. society is at peace with the religious domain.” gious coexistence and tolerance, it was an excel- Petrit Selimi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs lent place where a global platform for interfaith Among prominent guests of Interfaith Kosovo of the Republic of Kosovo, speaking at the Inter- dialogue could be created and nurtured. in the previous years were HRH Prince Ghazi of national Interfaith Conference 2015, Kosovo. Jordan, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Dean of “In Kosovo we have a particular situation in which Yale Divinity College Miroslav Volf, head of policy In 2012, a project titled Interfaith Kosovo was the majority of people are following the Islamic product at Facebook Monica Bickert, foreign min- launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the tradition but some of the most important religious isters, ambassadors, theologians, faith leaders, Republic of Kosovo, which meant to serve as a sites belong to Christian tradition, particularly activists, and journalists. platform for constructive debate and develop- that of the Orthodox Church. Is this a contradic- ment of innovative approaches in promoting tion? No, I would say that this is an asset and Through the Interfaith Kosovo initiative, work- religious tolerance and countering violent an opportunity to build relations based on mutual shops on promoting Jewish heritage in Kosovo extremism, by bringing together faith leaders, acceptance and understanding that all cultural were organized and a monument in the garden of civil society activists, government members, and religious monuments are the wealth of us Kosovo Parliament to commemorate the victims academia and media from around the world. all.” Father Sava Janjić, Abbot of Visoki Dečani of Holocaust from Kosovo was raised. There were Monastery in Kosovo speaking at the Internation- also numerous lectures and summer schools fo- A rich heritage of interfaith cooperation and open- al Interfaith Conference 2015, Kosovo. cused on issues of religion, society and foreign dating different communities. Inaddition, long timeandhasa lot ofexperience accommo- successfully engagedininterfaith dialogue for a “As thisconference illustrates, Kosovo has 3.5m timelines. tag #faithsinkosovo boosted theconversation to ty. Trending 7th intheUSAontwitter, thehash youth participation,genderequalityanddiversi- set new highsfor global reach viasocial media, share knowledge andideas.Thethree dayevent Nigeria andPanama, joinedtheconference to some traveling from asfar awayasBangladesh, than 200participantsfrom over 50countries, activism against religious extremism. More approach and developing tools to improve social religious topics through amulti-disciplinary ism andHate Speech’,focused ondebating Agents ofChangeCountering Violent Extrem- Dialogue inTimeofSocialMedia:Enabling This year’s flagship conference, titled ‘Interfaith promote theagendaofreconciliation inKosovo. affairs, aswell aspublishedbooksandblogs that STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING what theQur’an and theBible say is animperative ing thatattaining knowledge about thefaith, about “Women offaiths inKosovo have theunderstand- many oftheconference’s participants. equality –apointacknowledged andpraised by gender achieving Kosovo’s in efforts of firmation number ofsuccessful women asmen,a reaf- equal an attract to able were they but fields, ous not only brought together great thinkers ofvari- It isalsoworth notingthatthe 2015 conference International Interfaith Conference 2015,Kosovo Professor ofInternational Politics, speakingatthe efforts to focus on.”Dr. TinaKempinReuter, CNU litically andstrategically, for counter-extremism Kosovo seems to be an ideal market, both po- erance. ways to spread messages ofmoderation andtol- innovative find and services of types these vide history, make itexceptionally well suited to pro- This, together withitsgeographical location and population combined withstrong tiesto theWest. Kosovo hasalarge, well-educated young Muslim International Interfaith Conference 2015, Kosovo . Order ofStGeorge, thankingtheorganizers ofthe cil MemberoftheSacred Military Constantinian Prince DonCristoforo Rocco diTorrepadula, Coun- views onissues ofsuchcritical importance.” and religious spectrumto debate andexchange ternational group across thegenerational cultural fourth year. Itbrought together animpressive in- and resources to holdsuchaconference for the visible andsubstantive commitment ofbothtime fair share ofsectarian tragedy shouldmake sucha young country who havingknown more thanits cannot butholdinthehighest respect asmall riety ofinteresting andusefulsubjects,butone “International conferences come and go on a va- Interfaith Conference 2015,Kosovo. Studies inPrishtina,speakingattheInternational Besa Ismaili,vice-dean to theFaculty ofIslamic great thingsthey alldoasgrassroots activists.” themselves from modesty andmake visible the youth inmosquesandchurches shouldunchain times served in the name of religion. Women and to themto stand against patriarchy thatissome-

227 AS WE ARE Why Interfaith in Kosovo?

By Ambassador Dr. Dimitris Moschopoulos, FULL EMPOWERMENT UNDP/Advisor on Religious and Cultural Heritage

Being at a crossroads in These sites, regardless of their religious affiliation or ethnic cultural items destroyed in the Kosovo conflict belong in the Balkans where different identity, have attained universality and are a valuable part that category. But we should not forget that in fact every cultures and religions have of the world cultural heritage. Both Christian and Muslim heritage is unique and holds inestimable value for the com- succeeded one another, some- sites fall in this category; prominent among them are of munity that has created or inherited it. Destruction of such times lived together and often course the sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church inscribed heritage amounts to destruction of a community’s spirit and clashed with each other, Koso- on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List. But the realm as such is as serious as destruction of life. vo has a long and rich history, of history is first and foremost the realm of pain and suf- the extant material legacy of fering. And the phrase “rich history” has become a euphe- Kosovo is now in a post-conflict situation, and in the pro- which goes back thousands mism for saying that a given history has been a history of cess of building and rebuilding, both at the material level, of years, as far back as the strife, conflict, war and destruction. Nowhere is this more in terms of infrastructure, and at the level of institutions and Neolithic period. Such legacy apposite than in the Balkans (cf. also the saying that “the of community spirit. Reconciliation among the people who includes prehistoric sites Balkans produce more history than they can consume”). fought against each other in the conflict is of paramount and artifacts, archeological importance and an indispensable task. Interfaith dialog is a sites from antiquity and early Kosovo has had more than its fair share of this kind of histo- most valuable tool to that end, as inter-faith relations seem Christian times, the ruins of the ry, the recent conflict being the latest and hopefully the last to have come out of the conflict practically unscathed. In- Roman town of Ulpiana, etc. episode of this long history of strife and war. Thousands of deed the conflict, like most conflicts in the region’s modern lives were lost during the war in the late 1990’s, and the af- and recent history, was interethnic in nature and not a war As a result of its later history, termath of that war has seen more loss of life and property. of religions. Religion played a secondary role in it, in fact starting in the Middle Ages, the its role was more often that of a victim than that of an ac- territory of Kosovo has become Prominent among the ruins caused by the recent conflict complice. a rich mosaic of religious and are religious sites of the two main religions represented cultural traditions that have in the region, churches and monasteries on one hand, and That interreligious relations have developed in Kosovo in shaped this area and have left mosques on the other. The loss of important items of reli- a clearly positive direction is a very remarkable and very to humanity many important gious and cultural heritage has been enormous. One tends welcome phenomenon. One could adduce a number of ex- religious and cultural sites. to bemoan more the destruction of cultural heritage of explanations for it. ceptional quality and of universal value – and some of the veloping inter-faith relations. expression andchoice in de which allows space for free cially secular,astate ofthings Kosovo isresolutely andoffi Yugoslav times.Andtoday’s large extent alsoduringthe centuries wasrespected to a that haddeveloped through The religious modusvivendi erance inmatters ofreligion. gion displayed remarkable tol introduced Islaminto there and theOttoman Empire which to develop andinteract here, two majorChristian Churches Christianity, hasallowed the and theOrthodox capitals of half-way between theCatholic ical positionofthecountry, The history andthegeograph - - - - - Whereas nationalism, which caused the conflict, is by defi by is conflict, the caused Whereaswhich nationalism, dialog fostered intheirfrequent meetingsanddiscussions. managed to establish atruebondofmutualrespect and people ofinspiringvision andenlightenment whohave must goofcourse to thereligious leaders involved, who Major credit for thedevelopment ofinter-faith relations used in tackling persisting difficulties in the inter-ethnic di inter-ethnic the persistingtackling in in difficulties used is proving positive anddraw theconclusions thatcan be fore reasonable for Kosovo to turnto thekindofdialog that there is It persist. still difficulties important where lenge, better future. Inter-ethnic dialog remains themainchal a and progress promising field a times, post-conflict hard best meansavailable to it,andinter-faith dialog is,inthese rebuilding thatitisgoingthrough, Kosovo needsto usethe Why inKosovo? Because, intheprocess ofbuildingand common good,enhancingunderstanding andpeace. phy: usetheinclusive elements contained inreligion for the tional Interfaith Conferences, isbasedonthesamephiloso the past four years andistheorganizer ofyearly Interna The Interfaith Initiative, whichhasbeenactive inKosovo for order to promote understanding andpeace. ferent religions, andthey are puttingthem to goodusein inherent in religion, thatis, the common points of theirdif these religious leaders have soughttheinclusive elements nition exclusive (it is based on the exclusion of the Other), STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING ------Kosovo institutions onreligious andcultural heritage. He iscurrently contracted bythe UNDPto work as Advisorto Cultural Heritage oftheSerbianOrthodox Church inKosovo. behalf asFacilitator for theProtection oftheReligiousand in Prishtinahewasmandated bytheEUto alsoactonits service his During 2014. to 2008 from Office, Liaison Greek diplomat, whoselast posting wasinPrishtinaasheadofthe Ambassador Dr. DimitrisA.Moschopoulos isaGreek retired efforts, includinginthisInterfaith Conference. success asKosovo itselfandisavaluable partnerinallits ternational community hasasseriousastake inKosovo’s in tryingto buildupabetter future for itspeople; thein One important pointto beunderlined:Kosovo isnotalone part oftheproblem, not butpartofthesolution. is dialog Interfaith success. recognized of field a is it among faiths isaproblem inKosovo, butprecisely because ence. Interfaith dialog isbeingpromoted notbecause dialog Interfaith Conference in Kosovo is not that kind of confer to solve becomes thesubjectmatter oftheconference. The to tackle problems andseeksolutionsto them.Theproblem alog. Itiscommon practice to organize conferences inorder 2015, Kosovo Interfaith Conference for theInternational Originally published - -

229 AS WE ARE Kosovo’s Road to Multiculturalism FULL EMPOWERMENT

By Ian Linden, Senior Advisor Tony Blair Faith Foundation

In the centre of Prishtina, Summer sunshine. Yet, as with Northern Ireland, a young championing interfaith dialogue and religious pluralism Kosovo’s main city, there is a government’s firm intention of reconciliation confronts the is an effective deployment of soft power. The vast Roman wide pedestrian boulevard par- realities of lingering social hostilities, stereotyping and Catholic cathedral dedicated to Mother Teresa, almost fin- allel with the bustling lines of insecurity, and, for Europe, an unusually young population ished but looking raw, (her family moved to Kosovo from cars on Agim Ramadani street, who want things to change fast. Albania) was some testimony to this commitment, as was where people promenade. It the beautifully preserved Orthodox 14th century monastery has the languor of a small It was the high percentage of young people at Kosovo’s and church in the town’s suburbs, a UNESCO heritage site. Mediterranean town on a sunny annual interfaith gathering last month that struck me most. No-one had touched it during the war. Other churches had Sunday afternoon. It is lined The theme was social media and they tweeted their way suffered badly. this time of year with strawber- into the top ten trending in the USA for one hour during the ries piled high. Stall after stall. proceedings. No mean feat. They were very clear that their Commitment to multiculturalism in Europe has come under There are the occasional signs parents’ legacy of inter-ethnic and inter-religious hostility threat as European societies react to terrorist threats and a for honey between the long was a problem they wanted sorted out. small number of their citizens that have left for Syria to join lines of punnets brimming with Da’esh. The Kosovo government has experienced the same ripe, red soft fruit. Five min- In this they had the support of the - also youthful - civil ser- phenomenon on top of facing the immediate task of na- utes away is an exquisite 14th vants from the Kosovo Foreign Service and the International tion-building. It faces a strong headwind against the course century mosque still in use. Institute for Interfaith Dialogue who had invited them. it has been charting, trying to establish religious pluralism on sound foundations. The country’s religious leaders also Political scientists need labels It was refreshing to have alongside religious leaders speak- face significant new challenges. and categories and “post-con- ers such as Monica Bickert, head of product policy at Face- flict society” is one of them. book, and Harold Hyman, editor and geopolitics expert from But throughout Europe, the middle-aged men with beards- But you could be forgiven for BFMTV, France’s largest news channel. The convenor power studying texts- having shared meals-and being nice to thinking it does not feel quite of the government of this small, predominantly Muslim, each other-practice of interfaith dialogue is corresponding- right for Kosovo in the early Balkans country is no less impressive than its insight that ly called into question. Has it not entrenched patriarchal tives andproselytism. resilience to extremist narra the immunesystem, building lation rather itslowly buildsup logue isnotaone-offinocu exclusive. Inter-religious dia tives. Thetwo are notmutually horses through extremist narra example, is drivingacart and practice, thethreat ofagood tremism. Often, though,itsvery CVE, Countering ReligiousEx hands-on tough love work of it can becontrasted withthe talking withdoing.Too often dialogue today, whichbalances ented nature of much interfaith achieving, oroftheaction-ori what theKosovo government is But thisisnotafair account of nothing changes”.Andsoon. the point?”“They gobackand authority structures? “Whatis ------So cutthereligious leaders alittle bitofslack. ticated weapon against Da’esh’s moderndeath-cult. past the line of strawberry stalls, are Kosovo’s most sophis - thehandsomeyoung menattheirside,strolling together some well - tresses flowing dark with dresses white in en be madeinto thecountry’s premier export. Theyoung wom extremism makes interfaith in Kosovo exciting and should people need to be at the front-line of countering religious ties byreligious leaders takes time.Theintuition thatyoung sorption ofliberal democratic ideasandnew responsibili charnel househasgiven adegree ofurgency. Buttheab The nationalhaemorrhagingofyoung recruits to theDa’esh is hardly surprising. when they are supposedto become overnight CVE warriors, poor Islamicformation look, andsound,lost anddefensive, spond. ThatSouthAsianimamswithapooreducation and heaped onthemwithnegligible resources withwhichto re they have hadaslew ofnew demandsandexpectations from thePope isfront- pagenews. Butfor thepast decade But thatismore age-related thanreligion-related. Atweet effective use of socialmediafor theirreligious messages. leaders today. True, inthemain,they have little ideaabout It istoo easyto laugh at,caricature anddismiss religious STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING - - - - - and Development. on matters ofFaith opment) consultant International Devel- Department for (UK government has acted asaDfID leaders inIran and dialogue withShi’a worked ininterfaith Forum ofthe UK, Christian-Muslim is amemberofthe rights in2000.He for work for human awarded theCMG Relations andwas for International Catholic Institute years director ofthe He wasfor fifteen Global Catholicism”. of theWorld and sation, “A New Map faith andglobali- two majorstudies on Africa and,recently, books onreligion in lished anumberof London. Hehaspub- the University of Studies (SOAS) in Oriental andAfrican gion attheSchoolof in theStudyofReli- associate professor Faiths Act,andan Action Programme, director oftheSocial Foundation, formerly Tony BlairFaith Advisor atthe Ian LindenisSenior 11.06.2015 Huffington Post on Published inthe

231 AS WE ARE Walking On Common Ground— Kosovo’s Early Christian Heritage FULL EMPOWERMENT and offerings. be revered through sacrifice worship where theGodswould today, formed centrepieces for of whichcan still beseen goddesses. Stone altars, some and humanfigures and fertility worship ofsuns,animal gods mixed withlocal pagan by Romans,who’s pantheonof dania, awiderprovince ruled today’s Kosovo satwithinDar- Christian. Duringthesetimes Protestant; they were simply not Catholic,Orthodox, or Christians ofKosovo were of denomination.Thefirst faiths ofKosovo, wasdevoid belonging to alltheChristian This common heritage, says CatholicPriest DonLushGjergi. our fingers, we can find evidence ofChristianity,” “In every partofKosovo, ifwe digwith He iscurrently contributing digital editor for Interfaith Kosovo. international journalist, writer andphotographer. By Marc Perry, Churches. “The first three centuries were the centuries of centuries the were centuries three first “The Churches. whose architectural inheritance can still beseenintoday’s gregations adopted large publicspaces, suchasBasilicas, great importance to theBishopsoftime.Growing con- to expand. Ulpianadeveloped into aDiocese, aplace of began life economic and art, architecture, flourish: could or sorideonhorseback. With repression lifted, Christianity the news mayhave quickly spread to Kosovo, amere week quented centres connecting Constantinople with Rome– so Ulpiana atthattimewasoneofthemost active andfre- make Christianity thelegal religion of theRomanEmpire. freedom for all. By 380 the Edict of Thessalonica would of Tolerance in 311 andofMilan in 313granted religious soldiers would pass on ‘theword’ quietly –untilEdicts be hidden;everything wassecret, even Christian Roman the blood ofmartyrs.” saidPastor Cakolli. Crosses hadto by mainly centuries three first the in spread “Christianity Martyrdom such as theirs helped disperse thefaith. Orthodox Churches around theworld. wide; today they are highly venerated bybothCatholicand between 117-138AD.Their‘fame’ however, spread far and ple.”In consequence, they were tortured to deathsometime stone andmarble idolsthatwere to beusedinthetem- temple, setawooden cross ontheroof anddestroyed the establish atemple to unknown deity. Later they builtthe “They moved to Ulpianaasexperienced stonemasons to ogist Milot Berisha,picksupthestory there: a Romantown nearGracanica, southofPrishtina;Archeol- ed Christians in Kosovo. The twins were visitors to Ulpiana, martyred twins Florus and Laurus to be the earliest record - Father Sava andProtestant Pastor Cakolli, allconsider the secuted. CatholicPriest DonLushGjergi, Orthodox Monk thought to bringmisfortune, andasaresult they were per- By theirrefusal to worship theGodsearly Christians were STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING tradition ofEurope. would spread far and wide,to become partoftheChristian are echoesofacommon Christian heritage: aheritage that investigation, may yield yet furthersecrets. Thesenames ‘Old Church’, ‘Church Creek’ and‘Church Meadow,’ whose throughout rural Kosovo locals still useplace nameslike, ologists continue to bringitsstories to thesurface, whilst quake, andplundered bypassers by. Aswe speakarchae- century Ulpianawasinvaded byGoths,ruinedanearth- fifth the of end the By years. 650 than more lasting sion Catholic andOrthodox Churches duringalong slow divi- in two; layingfault linesthatwould cleave into theRoman granting religious freedoms theRomanEmpire would split As inallhistories, nothinglasts forever. Eightyyears after undivided.” – we can simply speakofaChurch whichatthattimewas confessional pointofview –eitherCatholicorOrthodox day theterritory ofKosovo, we cannot speakofthemodern speaking about the beginning of Christianity, in what is to- still retains somanythingstogether. That’s whywhen the history,” explains father Sava: “Itwasonebodywhich This wasatimeofChristian unity. “Itisvery hard to divide bia) andThessaloniki (Greece). century examples inStobi (FYRMacedonia), Lebane(Ser- 5th and 4th late fine other to similar strikingly is Ulpiana, nately decorated poolswere built.Onesuchpool,found at Following Romanacceptance baptisteries withlarge, or- in theopen,rivers, lakes, seas,springsandwaterfalls. were outside, baptisms first their en-masse; Christianity to Christian freedom,” saidDonGjergi. People were converting Roman Persecution, thefollowing three centuries were of

233 AS WE ARE

Deeper still there’s more evidence: a possible crypt, catacomb or underground pathway, and a possible altar. The current historical enquiry is a work in progress with new facts being established week by week. FULL EMPOWERMENT tigations...” of mine,to make these inves- truths, thisisahugepassion important we arrive athistoric laughed, hiseyes shining:“its site. “It’s abigproject,” he Interfaith Kosovo around the historical enquiry. He showed a life long enthusiasmfor is acharismaticmanwith of theKosovo CatholicChurch, Dr. DonShanZefi,Chancellor Prizren. the CatholicCathedral in evidence burieddeepbeneath history basedonunearthed of Kosovo’s richreligious is reclaiming afuller version An archeological investigation Unearthing thepast underPrizren He iscurrently contributing digital editor for Interfaith Kosovo. international journalist, writer andphotographer. By Marc Perry, he would willingly welcome themto betested: “I invite that assertions his of confident so is He ago.” years 1000 to archaeologists thischurch is10thcentury or earlier,from “according explains, he floor,” metresthe belowtwo gone evidence ofabuildingthatsurvived until 1832: “We have Moving to adarkened room there isadeeptrench holding unstudied. And,thisbrings us to thesecond construction. time thoughthereasons whyitdissolved remain largely The early paleochristian church didnotstand thetest of is yet to beconfirmed. to originate from around the5thcentury Dr.week. by week oldest lished the remains considers Zefi enquiry isawork inprogress withnew facts beingestab- ground pathway,andapossible altar. The current historical there’s more evidence: apossible crypt,catacomb orunder- church wasfound duringrestoration work. Deeperstill scribes how thebaseofapillar from thepaleochristian de- he floor Cathedral grand the beneath excavation deep tianity, before different traditions developed. Uncovering a The first church building dates from the early days of Chris- thedral buttake thewhole ofPrizren underitsprotection.” are indicators thatUNESCOneedsto take notjust theCa- “These Zefi, Don says Prizrenmakesspecific,” three. “This Cathedral riods ofchurch buildingshave beendiscovered underthe following themissions oftheapostles. Three distinct pe- reveal Christian heritage goingwaybackto early periods claimed, is it discoveries, new The Dr.Zefi. says toman,” of 2000years: ithasaRomanperiod,Byzantine,anOt- many ofthem:“TheCathedral ofPrizren hasacontinuity its surrounds andtheChristian Church hasbeenwitness to Prizren hasseenmanysweeps ofcivilisationpass through with thepresent buildingbeingthelast ofthe STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYTHRIVING but theexact date many visitors...come to seePrizren, everyone iscoming.” so Prizren have of history Dr. the in “Never concludes: Zefi check themoutyour selfand there isnotimelike now. As ground.” Like allhistorical narratives itisagoodideato will that2000years ofhistory have beenprotected under- ology, anthropology andthestyle ofchurch. ItisGod’s archae- by testified be will it uncovered, and being finally is is, as truth “The but: Zefi, history,”claims without nians “Historical writingsto date have unfortunately left Alba- 1892 andalsoakindergarten from 1846. Catholic andMuslimbeliefsbeingestablished bynunsin of women Albanian for school first the with schooling ian hid for itsprotection. Thesite also lays claimsto egalitar- were uncovered. martyrs OneofthemDonZefi tells mehe re- five of frescos and walls the from plaster move completed. Duringrenovation works, people started to re - modernising Ottoman era the during – 1870 from dates building final and Third The lished inanearbyhouse. all thegraves; while amuseumofartefacts isto beestab- were found andoneplace hasnow beendedicated to mark Prizren. Duringtherenovation many otheroldtombstones man Empire with Pjeter Bogdani, the then Archbishop of a possible Austrian General whofought against theOtto- uncover more secrets aboutthepeople buriedincludeing can seetheburiedbones.DNAanalysis, itishoped,will a momentofdrama. There before myvery eyes isatomb...I I amsaying.”Thenheasksmeto climbinto thetrench for archaeologists to visit and to find anything contrary to what whenthecurrent Cathedral was

235 `

AS WE ARE

This book is produced and published under the guidance and for The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo in support of its efforts in joining UNESCO.

Katalogimi në botim – (CIP) Biblioteka Kombëtare e Kosovës “Pjetër Bogdani”

908(496.51)(091)

As we are : stories old and new of a country thriving Editor Fiona Kelmendi, Petrit Selimi, Rina Meta. Prishtina: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, 2015. libra; 25 cm.

1.Kelmendi, Fiona 2. Meta, Rina

ISBN 978-9951-595-07-0 ISBN 978-9951-595-08-7 THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN

Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kosovo / Petrit Selimi

Editors: Fiona Kelmendi, Petrit Selimi, Rina Meta

Contributors: Agon Maliqi, Alban Bakija, Amer Miftari, Arif Muharremi, Arben Llapashtica, Astrit Zatriqi, Astrit Ibrahimi, Bujar Gashi, Deniz Xheka, Emanuel Gjokaj, Enver Bylykbashi, Ermal Meta, Fabien Techene, Fiona Kelmendi, Fitore Syla, Gazmend Krasniqi, Jetmir Idrizi, Kastriot Orana, Katharina Schendl, Kushtrim Xhakli, Leonard Dubova, Lulzim Hiseni, Majlinda Hoxha, Marc Perry, Marcin Pudelek, Marigona Kastrati, Meddy Huduti, Mentor Shuki, Nentor Oseku, Nita Deda, Nita Salihu, Orgesa Arifi, Petrit Selimi, Parker Johnson, Raif Kabi, Renea Behluli, Rina Meta, Rozafa Maliqi, Sara Rodiqi, Selvije Gashi, Shpat Buzoku, TADI, Tefta Kelmendi Merran, Valon Badivuku, Vigan Hoxha, Yll Citaku dhe Yll Rugova. `

STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY THRIVING 237