• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

SURE SHORE KOSOVO STORIES IN CANADA This publication was supported by members of the Kosovo A heartfelt thank you goes to the following people and their families for sharing with us their photos, thoughts, and community in Canada. It is a warm and kind note of gratefulness stories: and friendship. Afrim Gashi, Ahmet Gallapeni, Alban Rrahmani, Anita Vandenbeld, Anne and Dave Black, Anne Moore, Arbnor Krasniqi, Ardion Kozhani, Arta Rexhepi, Arton Sallahi, Artor and Visar Gashi, Avni Lushaku, Bedri Toqani, Bedrije Rexhepi, Bujar Zejnullahu, Burim and Arbër Ademi, Chad Rogers, Dan Asllani, Dani Brajshori, Daniel Maksymiuk, Photographs and stories published here are family assets, kindly Dashnor Hasku, Edon Arapi, Erveina Gosalci, Fadil Selimi, Faik Shabani, Fisnik Kuki, Fitim Thaçi, Kumrije Ashimi, shared with the Kosovo Embassy in Canada and the author. Lirim Hajrullahu, Lulzim Hiseni, Lumturi Bejkosalaj, Mehdi Toqani, Mimoza Hajdini, Naser Berisha, Remzi Cej, Shaban Gosalci, Shani Pnishi, Shqipe, Lavdim and Aurela Kozmaqi, Tringa Rexhepi, Valbona Ugzmaili, Vjollca Bytyqi, Zeqirja Rexhepi This book is not intended for sale. “SURE SHORE - Kosovo stories in Canada” is produced and published under the guidance and for purposes of the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Canada. All rights belong to the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Canada. Author and editor: Fiona Kelmendi Editorial Designer: Rina META Photo Editor: TADI Design and Layout: Ngadhnjim Nuhiu Gazmend Nimani Cover Art: TADI website: www.ambasada-ks.net/ca twitter: @KosovoinCanada facebook: Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in Ottawa EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC facebook: Sure Shores of Canada June 2017 OF KOSOVO IN CANADA Ottawa, Canada #KosovothanksCanada Humanity over indifference Having the first official celebration of the anniversary of this act of solidarity in the same year that Canada celebrates its 150th A anniversary is very symbolic, especially in today’s global context. This year, Canada proudly celebrates its traditions and values that opened the doors to Kosovo refugees in 1999, and continue to open UU doors for refugees even today – values of diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness. MM NN Lulzim Hiseni I am deeply honored to be the first resident Kosovo It is such an honor to represent Kosovo in a Ambassador of the Ambassador to Canada, especially considering the country, which, in defense of basic human rights Republic of Kosovo to very special relationship that our two countries and values, joined the NATO alliance that put an end to the ethnic cleansing campaign against Canada have. Eighteen years ago, when over 1.4 million Albanian Kosovars were forced out of their homes, Albanians in Kosovo in 1999. Canada’s Canada and its people opened their doors to over humanitarian intervention ensured freedom for 7,000 refugees from Kosovo in an exceptional show the people of Kosovo, and it is a pleasure to P S of solidarity. Today, this extraordinary welcome of promote this publication on the occasion of the P WW RR S Kosovars by Canada constitutes the main pillar of 18th anniversary of Kosovo’s liberation and of the admission of Kosovo refugees to Canada. Members of Vjollca Bytyqi’s family, our bilateral relations. smiling on the shores of Canada. The recent opening of our Embassy in Ottawa is a Having the first official celebration of the Fredericton, New Brunswick, May 1999 E E show of Kosovo’s gratitude and determination to anniversary of this act of solidarity in the same further reinforce those excellent bilateral relations. year that Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary is very symbolic, especially in today’s global context. was met with great enthusiasm from our Our community shared countless photos from their community, who continue to build bridges between very first days in Canada for this project. While not Canada and Kosovo every day. all of them are shown here, there is one element that stands out whether you look at 5 or 500 photos. Even this publication would not have been possible What might surprise you, as it did me, is that not a without the generous contribution of our single one of those refugees is hurting or afraid. This year, Canada proudly celebrates its worldwide. And this is why in both my community, as well as my wife, Fiona, who These men, women and children who had lost their traditions and values that opened the doors personal and professional capacity, I volunteered to collect and share these stories with family members, their homes, and their identities, to Kosovo refugees in 1999, and continue to admire profoundly what Canada did – it you. Many more stories remain yet to be told, which are finally safe, peaceful and smiling. open doors for refugees even today – values opened a parasol of hope to 7,000 people is why I look forward to this book’s future volumes. of diversity, tolerance and inclusiveness. that had lost everything. But even more Dear Canadians, it was you who put those smiles importantly, it valued them as human Thanks to the efforts of Canada and its people, the back on our children’s faces. Reading about the details of Canada’s beings and encouraged them to continue book you are holding is more than a collection of aptly-titled Operation PARASOL, which in their stories here. refugee stories – it is a mosaic of integration. This book is by refugees, for refugees, and in 1999 airlifted thousands of refugees from gratitude to all those who choose humanity over camps just outside Kosovo, flooded me with It brings me great pride that after 18 years, The stories you will read are a testament to the indifference – in 1999 as well as today. memories of a time when all I needed was a our community is so well integrated that importance of upholding liberal values and of shelter, a safe haven from the horrors back Kosovo is now being mentioned as a treating fellow humans without prejudice or home. As a former political refugee of Kosovo successful example for accepting other discrimination. They are a reminder that people can in France in the 1990s, and a former legal refugees. Canadians opened their hearts achieve remarkable things when they feel worthy, officer of the French National Court of for Kosovars in 1999, and today we see loved and accepted. Asylum, I am very familiar with the plight of those Kosovars opening their hearts too. refugees I am very happy that the opening of This book is a demonstration of the healing powers Kosovo’s diplomatic mission in Ottawa of human kindness. Reaff irming values The refugees from Kosovo also deserve Canada’s thanks, for enriching our nation’s social, economic, and cultural life. Canada is stronger not in spite of our diversity, but precisely because of it. The stories of the Kosovars help us appreciate the fundamental truth of this principle, reaffirming the values that define Canada and that we seek to project around the world. Daniel Maksymiuk Today, in the busy cafes along the glamorous I have encountered them as successful Ambassador of Canada to displaced people around the world than ever before. Mother Teresa promenade in Pristina, or arriving in professionals, entrepreneurs and community There is steady progress in overcoming mistrust the Republic of Kosovo But the refugees from Kosovo also deserve the impressive modern terminal of Adem Jashari leaders across Canada. I have also encountered between different groups and restoring a truly Canada’s thanks, for enriching our nation’s social, international airport, or talking with the dynamic, them in Kosovo where a growing number now live, pluralist, multi-ethnic society. As a result, there is a economic, and cultural life. Canada is stronger not optimistic young Kosovars who are full citizens of a with their activities enriching the relations between growing interest in Kosovo among Canadian in spite of our diversity, but precisely because of it. global, digital community, it is hard to imagine the our two countries. And as a representative of investors, and there are many opportunities to work The stories of the Kosovars help us appreciate the desperate conflict almost twenty years ago that Canada, I have been honoured to share the story of together to advance common values. Canada will fundamental truth of this principle, reaffirming the drove hundreds of thousands of Kosovars from their the Kosovar-Canadians as an example of Canada’s continue to support the full integration of Kosovo values that define Canada and that we seek to homes, and over 7,000 of them to safety in Canada. unique multicultural society. within the international community. project around the world. It has been my privilege, as a representative of the Today, Canada and Kosovo are partners, and the The movement of refugees from Kosovo to Canada Canadian government, to meet many of those flag of Kosovo flies from Kosovo’s Embassy in is one of many cases of Canada opening its doors to in photo: Kosovars who came to Canada, and became Ottawa. Kosovo has built institutions, a rapidly provide a safe refuge, and a new home, to the most The ‘All Together’ dance group, created by Remzi Cej with Canadian. growing economy, a vibrant civil society, and is on a vulnerable. We must remember these examples at a members from China, Kazahstan, Russia, Bulgaria, Egypt, and clear trajectory towards the European Union. time when there are more other countries, dancing traditional Kosovar dances. The Kosovo-Canadian comunity has exemplified the Canadian immigrant success story They have had children who are as proud to be Canadian as they are proud of their origins. They are living proof that the Canadian ideals of multiculturalism, pluralism and openness make us stronger as a country. Rexhepi family celebrating their first Canada Day, 1 July 1999 Anita Vandenbeld Canada has and always will be a home to those Member of Federal fleeing persecution and seeking a better life; it is an indelible component of our national character, a Parliament of Canada and at the time when Kosovo declared independence.

Load more

  68

Copy Link