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

AS WE ARE 3

Free to love

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

AS WE ARE Stories from a country in the making

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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.

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in #instakosova #instakosovo competition, selected from the archives of Kosovo photographers, and others are withdrawn from UNESCO website, Database of Cultural Heritage in Kosovo, Wikimedia Commons, illyria. proboards.com and gjakovasummerschool.com

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 in the making

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

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

Editor: Fiona Kelmendi, Rina Meta Design: Nita Salihu, Trembelat Type: Ekstropia by Yll Rugova, Trembelat Cover picture: Blerta Kambo

Printing: ViPrint

July 2015 Prishtina, Kosovo

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

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

7 CONTENT A living heritage in contemporary in Nyeuberghe inSaxon texts. or Novamonte inLatinand as and isfound withnames Novus Mons Novobërdë Castle dates backto 1300s moving beyond politcal, economic andhistorical issues. Kosovo wantslasting peace andsolidarity, the 70thAnniversary ofUNESCO. exchange withtherest oftheworld, starting from 2015on culture to helpbreak thelong isolationandto engagein the world primaryorganization ofeducation, science and The past ishistory, today Kosovo islooking forward to join Stories oldandnew! As we areAs and how we do it dynamics Evolving 24—107 18—23 12—17 AS WEARE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING 108—117 Nurturing our Tomorrow

Education as a competitive force in the 21st century. 118—147 Full empowerment 9

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. 148—161 Heritage alive

One cannot miss the breathtaking and massive mountains in this country. AS WE ARE THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

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EVOLVING THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC KOSOVO AFFAIRS THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN EVOLVING STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

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Prizren is home to the Old Stone Bridge of 15th century and this century’s Dokufest. This young film fan is captured making sure to bring back home the memory of both. EVOLVING 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 in theEuropean continent. It Kosovo istheyoungest nation on the70thAnniversary ofUNESCO. with therest oftheworld, starting from 2015 the long isolationandto engageinexchange of education, science andculture to helpbreak forward to jointheworld primaryorganization The past ishistory, today Kosovo islooking Deputy PrimeMinister andMinister ofForeign Affairs oftheRepublicKosovo Hashim Thaçi, communist modeland10years ofpolitical apartheidthat has total of 1.85 million inhabitants. After half a century of 25,000 pupilsenroll inprimaryschools,acountry that the average ageof itspopulation.Every year, more than Kosovo isalsothe youngest European nationinterm of ies suchastheInternational Olympic Committee. such asIMF,World Bank,butalsootherinternational bod- nity andbecome afullsovereign memberofUNagencies vo hasmanagedto engagewiththeinternational commu- cy thatguarantees therightsfor allstrata ofsociety,Koso- this difficult path full of challenges to become a democra- system to amore transparent market economic model.In ident, MadameAtifete Jahjaga;from aclosed economic pres - woman a elect to country Balkan ever first the came conservative societyto amore open-mindedonewhichbe- processes: from wardestruction to peace-building; from a 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING zation aswell aspeople ofKosovo! an appropriate birthday giftfor boththefans oftheorgani- niversary ofUNESCO. Ouraccession to UNESCOwould be the rest ofthe world, starting from 2015 – onthe70th An- break thelong isolationandto engageinexchange with ry organization ofeducation, science andculture to help Hence Kosovo islooking forward to jointheworld’s prima- global patrimony. ture habitats awaitto bediscovered asapart ofourjoint, old Ottoman mosques,beautifulski resorts andotherna- ESCO World Heritage sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Kosovo alsohasalot to offer to theworld. Medieval UN- mental record. 7 years –more focus isalsoneededto improve environ- age economic growth inallofSouthEast Europe inlast records steady growth – it has recorded the highest aver- more research anddevelopment. AstheKosovar economythrough output scientific increase and methods teaching now needs to upgrade its curriculum for schools, upgrade build inKosovo’s countryside. Thisbeingsaid,thecountry help ofthedonorcommunity, over 230schoolswere re - an extensive campaign to rebuild schools and with the culminated withagenocidalwar,thecountry launched

15 AS WE ARE EVOLVING STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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

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AS WE ARE AND

70% YOUTH HOW WE DO IT AS WE ARE AND WE AS HOW WE DO IT historical issues. politcal, economic and and solidarity,moving beyond Kosovo wantslasting peace STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

19 70% YOUTH Service. and Diplomatic the Parliament representation in than 30%women Balkans. elected inthe first one to be president. The Run byawoman ­ ­More younger than35. which 70%are 2 million,outof inhabited by dynamic country It’s asuper

­ 70%YOUTH mention. needless to in theBalkans, other country broader thanany is over 86% way in urbanareas net connection Household inter -

86% AS WEARE localities. in different and roma spread turkish, bosnian ficial ones,and Serbian asof- Albanian and languages with more thanfive Kosovo speaks in hello! mountainous. rivery and but watery, Landlocked references. on religious of themisbased Kosovo and none clothing found in traditional typologies of 100 different There are over STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING dervishes. catholics andsufi orthodox, roman muslims, serbian religions suchas diverse fusion of accommodates a It harmoniously ­ Bauxite Chrome and Lignite, Kaolin, Magnesium, Lead, Zinc, Rich inNickel, since 2008 and marriage same sex love tion offers Kosovo constitu - OK to begay! on Earth. Machiatto Land tal city. ­ solely inthecapi- 200 coffee places modating over culture, accom- Rich incoffee day&nightife. Rich in Greatest

­

21 AS WE ARE 70% YOUTH STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING WWW.KOSOVOINUNESCO.COM

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

25 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

27 AS WE ARE FIRMLY ROOTED LEGACY A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING

Alban Bakija, Director of Kosovo Institute for Cultural Heritage FIRMLY ROOTED LEGACY 29

Cultural Heritage Protection a common Cultural Heritage. In this sense, whilst individ- presented as part of an ongoing process of understanding in Republic of Kosovo ual cultural taste is always personal, culture itself is both and making history, rather than as static moments in an political and historically contingent. It differs in different already ‘dead’ historical past, trying to reflect more truly The idea of Cultural Heritage societies at different times and in different places.The Re- the open-ended nature of historical thinking at the present in general – and protection public of Kosovo seeks to go beyond simply legitimizing time. of cultural heritage more the current social and political order; aware of the positive specifically–is relatively aspects of cultural differences between different social Lived environments, local artifacts and buildings in the novel in historical terms. Both groups. Kosovan territory have survived through centuries of war- concepts from the perspective fare, changes in political leadership, religions, shifting of the modern age are chal- Although, there is much sensitivity to matters of cultur- cultural meanings, personal associations and notions of lenges posed by globalisation al ownership and historical roots that has been expressed national identities. However, even when the heritage is still and digitization, along with violently in the past, making this a difficult matter for pol- present, their meaning may be still be lost forever if the ‘culture’ as we now know icy-makers attempting to mediate artists and artifacts and knowledge embodied in them is not preserved and trans- it. This means defining and the wider society, however, the shared cultural heritage has mitted from generation to generation. presenting the past culturally proven itself as the only value on consolidating a sense of had (and still has) a complex commonality between previously warring cultural groups. This is where cooperation with UNESCO is valued as a sine and important function in both The Republic of Kosova is focused not on simply legiti- qua non for safeguarding our heritage, on the one hand to personal and public life. mizing the current political order or instilling feelings of preserve important heritage in general; but on the other, Through presenting a shared patriotism per se as often aimed for by states historically. to create a space for the creation of a new sense of com- national past, social groups But – and more in line with the theory underlining the idea mon identity and shared history amongst individuals them- with significantly different or of a republic – choose to explore notions of citizenship and selves. Heritage is made up of local stories, which together even opposing economic and shared culture and history in a more critical and self-re- make the history of the world. political interests could share flective manner. We are seeking to understand the artifacts AS WE ARE MEDIEVAL MONUMENTS IN KOSOVO A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE MONUMENTS IN MONUMENTS MEDIEVAL KOSOVO grounds. religious and ethnicback- world heritage, from different sites thatmake upvaluable different historical periods– heritage left aslegacy from In Kosovo there isawealth of Unesco World Heritage ica Monastery andtheChurch oftheVirgin ofLjeviša. Monastery, the Patriarchate of Peja/Peć Monastery, Gračan- scribed intheUNESCOWorld Heritage List –theDecani medieval sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church, also in- Some ofthemost outstanding suchmonumentsare the STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

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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 Medie- val 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 mau- soleum. 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING Monastery The Gračanica whc.unesco.org/en/list/724 Medieval MonumentsinKosovo. UNESCO World Heritage List, 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

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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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

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

Intangible cultural heritage provides the scaffold upon which the tangible can then take its final shape and be interpreted. THE COLLECTIVE MEMORY OF HUMANITY 37

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

Epigraphy monument from Smira dedicated to Dea Dardanica, year 211 A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

Neolithic findings from various The Vinca culture, dated from 5700–4500 BC and mostly their Dardanian goddess along with other Illyrian gods. The sites in Kosovo show that covering the areas of modern-day Serbia and Kosovo2, has same goddess is present in other epigraphy monuments, the figure of worship in that left behind many artifacts giving us a glimpse into this sculptures, busts and coins. time was a woman goddess. early civilization. Some scholars believe that the Vinca Throughout the period, until symbols represent the earliest form of writing ever found, There are four very interesting components of our intan- the transition in the Copper predating ancient Egyptian and Sumerian writing by thou- gible heritage that survive, which draw roots back to the age, the region was character- sands of years.3 One of the most remarkable finds from a Neolithic, Roman Empire and Illyrian times – the ocarina, ized by a matriarchal culture Neolithic settlement near Prishtina in 1955 is a terracotta a musical instrument found in a Neolithic settlement in and the main cult was attribut- figurine known as the Goddess on the Throne, believed to Kosovo which is only made in Kosovo today; the traditional ed to the mother goddess1. date back to 3,500 BC4. Most of the figurines found from white felt hat, called “plis”, initially a symbol of freedom this period represent female bodies. Another exceptional from the Roman Empire; the filigree, an ancient jewelry monument, deemed by the Kosovo Council for Cultural craft dating back to 3,000; and the Gorani bride face paint- Heritage as the most important ancient find in Kosovo, is ing, based on the ancient belief in the Sun and the three the epigraphy monument from Smira, found in 1988, fea- cycles of life, a key element of faith in times of Dardania. turing two labyrinths and a dedication to Dea Dardanica, or the “Goddess of Dardania”.5 Even during Roman times, the Dardanians kept their faith and continued to worship

1 Berisha, Milot (2012). Archaeological Guide of Kosovo. Prishtina 2 Chapman, John (2000). Fragmentation in Archaeology: People, Places, and Broken Objects. London: Routledge 3 Haarmann, Harald (1996). Early Civilization and Literacy in Europe: An Inquiry Into Cultural Continuity in the Mediterranean World. New York: Walter de Gruyter 4 National Museum of Kosovo 5 Shukriu, Edi (2008). Two labyrinths and Dardanian, Greek and Roman relations by Dea Dardanica’s monument. Volume II, CRHIPA – De Boccard, Paris the symbolofPrishtina. the image of theGoddess on Throne hasbeen adopted as on Throne asdistinctive institution’s logo. Nevertheless, the Kosovo Museumhasadopted theimageofGoddess time between theforth-third millennium BC.Accordingly, of theVinca Culture. Theterracotta statuette dates some- variant Kosovar the for typical is figurine The hunch. ridge A diademissetabove theheadinshapeofsemicircular figurine’s head isfive angularwithsharp facial contours. two handsonthewaist, sittingandsetonathrone. The with posture, female a stoic displays figurine pomorphic reflectingity, great the of cult the anthro The idol. mother - cal artifacts of Kosovo. The figurine represents a female de- Goddess on throne isone of the most precious archaeologi- The Goddess onthethrone STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING as to be the first act of cooperation between France and Kosovo inthefield ofarcheology andheritage. France between of cooperation act first the be to as richness of the recent prehistory of central Balkans, as well richness andqualityoftheVinca culture statuary andthe vo. Theexhibition aimsto reveal to theFrench publicthe found inrelative abundance inNeolithic sitesstyle, across Koso- original and magnificent a and character religious in question unveil thisfascinating collection ofstatues of stood, yet present in the Balkans for millennia. The works – avery important Neolithic culture, still not fully under- 7,000 and 10,000 years old, as witnesses of Vinca culture between be to believed vases and figurines thropomorphic Saint-Germain-en-Laye nearParis. Theexhibit features an- Neolithic periodintheNationalMuseumofArcheology in fromthe artifacts is exhibiting Kosovo time, first the For Neolithic ExhibitioninParis 3500 BC throne, year Goddess onthe

39 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING Ocarina wind, sound and vibrations

The Master of the ocarina, as Shaqir Hoti is affectionately known, decided to create his own ocarina. 41

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 na dedicated to the ocarina, including teaching young stu- at the Runik Neolithic site is China and Japan, a specific type of ocarina is currently only dents the process of making this instrument and playing it the ocarina – an unusual an- made by one man in Kosovo. Inspired by the instrument’s accompanied by groups of musicians. cient wind musical instrument unique sounds and vibrations, the Master of the ocarina, made of clay. It represents the as Shaqir Hoti is affectionately known, decided to create All ocarinas are made from two separate pieces, which are earliest prehistoric instrument his own ocarina. brought together in the end. Two moulds are covered by ever found in Kosovo. plastic sheets, and a mass of clay is pressed into them. He did not quite have the opportunity to thoroughly re- The halves of clay are then carefully hollowed out, leaving search the original one, but he started out with using clay, a thin layer in the shape of the mould. The halves are then similar to the earliest version of ocarina. After trying vari- taken out and stuck together. A mouth hole is then opened ous materials, he reached the peak of his artistry by creat- at the top of this egg­shaped instrument, which is where the ing an original ocarina made out of a walnut shell. Apart sound is created. In the end, decorative lines, similar to the from making the instrument, this artist knows how to play ones used the past are added, and the clay is left to rest for it as well, and has already won awards with other groups of three weeks. Once this is complete, the clay can be baked, musicians. Recognizing the need to preserve such a unique giving birth to the ocarina. For more information on how tradition carried sole­handedly by this one person, programs the ocarina is made, you can check the short documentary and NGOs such as the Promotion of Cultural Diversity in made by the PCDK. Kosovo (PCDK) by the Council of Europe and the Kosovar Stability Initiative have organized several events in Prishti- 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 free- dom 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING -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 communi- ties, places, stories and landscapes. A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE of silver plaiting finethreads curling, twisting and Filigree Kosovo. crafters inthecontemporary 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 ishtina citizens and their international friends find the way the find friends international their and citizens ishtina ly, that shewould continue wasonly natural. It’s how Pr- neither planned nor discussed between her and her fami- na. Herparents runitsince theendof1970’s anditwas Krenare wasraised inthestudio shop‘Te Kinezi’inPrishti- opened alittle studio shopandcontinued thecraft. ther worked occasionally, andinPristina where herfather leave traces of their mastery in Croatia where the grandfa- ther andfather are; butbefore going,they madesure to tions. Thefactory isgonelong timeago,ashergrandfa- but helpedthetradition grow andspread amonggenera- dreds ofworkers, whonotonly produced for othermarkets, back whenthecityhaditsown factory andemployed hun- epicenter ofcrafts inKosovo, started thecraft ofFiligree city centre ofPrishtina.Hergrandfather 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING with theworld. to ourrealities to nicely comfort usandbetter connect us ries andlandscapes alienandfamiliar, allinone, brought heritage is a history chapter of communities, places, sto- those too are mysterious’ ­ some are stones left from oldpieces Itraded withwearers, als withothertraders from everywhere in theworld, while I gotthemfrom mygrandfather, heusedto trade materi- she hasnoideawhere they come from. ‘Inever buystones, Krenare openstens oflittle boxes withstones, for which decorated bygemstones ofdifferent shapesandcolors. all and shapes geometrical different flower, the bird, the The typical shapesfound inKosovo are lacra, theblindeye, inherited from herfamily andoriginatingaround theworld. she designsandmakes daily, she hasadozenofothers single piece thatcame along herway. Besidethepieces hands. Shedoesitcarefully andremembers perfectly every worker inthe studio, shetreats everything withherown to hershop very naturally. Krenare istheonly crafter and she says,only to remind usthat ­

45 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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

47 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

49 AS WE ARE

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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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

51 AS WE ARE

A Peja family gathering in Peja, Kosovo, 1930 A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE life flourished where social Oda medieval orotherornaments. with afireplace andtraditional room inone’s house,equipped usually thebiggest andbest chamber–is atraditional room, The oda–literally meaning the parliamentofearliergenerations. The school,themosque,court and ting collective memoriesto younger generations, who communities. Theodaserved as amediumoftransmit- information, events, and history to memberofdifferent 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- of intangible culture. idea, whichiswhyitstands asoneofourgreatest assets is notsimply agatheringplace, itisaconcept, aholistic scope ofodaextends waybeyond itsphysical construct –it whereand culturallife social and However,flourished. the munity andnationalissues, where they solve problems, It iswhere oureldermengather to discuss family, com- STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING but manageto prevail thanksto theoda. words of wisdom,manywhichhave never beenwritten, the gapbetween generations andsharingoldstories and local issues. Itcontinues to serve asameansto bridging still actsasaforum where mengatherto discuss andsolve Today thisinstitution doesnotholdsuchgreat power, butit the odawere ostracized from thecommunity. lies that did not abide by the decisions and rulings made in enabled thespread ofandadherence to theKanun. Fami- liament ofearliergenerations. Itwasprecisely theodathat It usedto betheschool,mosque, the court andthepar- through regular gatherings. were able to learn about legends, songs and other stories

53 AS WE ARE

Albanians would rather die than break Besa A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING Besa a man of Besa could be trusted with one’s life 55

The word 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 The promise given under besa was what ruled our society Besa e shqiptarit si purteka e arit, etj. main pillars of the Kanun – since medieval times – a man of besa could be trusted with (the Albanians’ besa is worth more than gold)1 honor – besa was regarded as one’s life. Since the birth of national and social mytholo- the highest authority of this gies of Albanians, it has been the moral testament of the The besa was so strong, that during the Ottoman Empire, it set of laws. It can be translat- people. Thus, it is considered by many as the single most was Albanian vojvodas (dukes) who would be assigned to ed as honor, faith or trust, but important and defining characteristic of Albanians. protect the monasteries. what this uniquely Albanian word with no equivalent in Besa e shqiptarit nuk shitet pazarit Attesting to the fact that besa is our highest ethical code, other languages really implies (besa can not be sold or bought in a bazaar) which is about helping those in need and being a good hu- is keeping a promise. man being, transcending faith or even mortal danger, is the The fact that Besa is one of Shiptari kur jep fjalen therr djalin salvation of over 2,000 Jews during World War II by Alba- the more common female (an Albanian can sacrifice his own son for besa) nians. The film “Besa: The Promise”, which has won nu- names in Kosovo is a testa- merous international awards, tells this story and says that ment of how dear to our hearts Shqiptaret vdesin dhe besen nuk e shkelin ‘only Albanians would lay down their lives for a stranger’. this concept really is. (Albanians would rather die than break besa)

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 STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING 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 57 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 crossgender and cross­dressing 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 “formal, Women can become a burrneshe at any age, at the moment socially defined femaleto­ ­male cross­gender and cross­ when they take an oath to remain celibate for the rest of dressing role in Europe”.1 their lives in front of village elders. They can then live as men – something that in times when Kanun was law gave

1 (Robert Elsie, “Historical dictionary of Albania”, 2010) 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 IN THE MAKING KOSOVO WASN’T BUILT IN A DAY 59

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 IN THE MAKING

It is extremely visu- ally and spiritually fulfilling to watch all this energy way above from the Prizren Castle or even watch movies in the castle gate. 61

Castles

Prizren Fortress Each year young and passionate volunteers, mainly from and the early Iron Era, which was the first settlement of this Prizren, gather to organize the event of the year. It is ex- area. During the Ottoman Empire, the castle was expanded Gathering different kinds tremely visually and spiritually fulfilling to watch all this with fortified walls and fencing, and enriched with other people from all around the energy way above from the Prizren Castle or even watch facilities, such as the Hamam, the mosque and other mil- world, International Documen- movies in the castle gate. The Prizren Fortress contains in itary facilities. tary Film Festival Dokufest is itself an important part of the ancient history of the city. Its known to be one of the most topographic position, its domination over the city, a rather Apart from its historical, architectural, scientific values, hip and change-driving docu- attractive natural landscape, and the well-thought architec this site is of major economic relevance in terms of cultural mentary festivals. tural configuration render the site invaluable in terms of tourism. Starting from 2010, as part of Dokufest, an open archaeology, history and tourism. Over a cone-shaped hill; cinema was built in the castle gate, showing various films, in the East of the City, lays the Castle with fortifying walls. and enriching the castle’s functions with an important cul- During research, traces dating from 16th to 19th centuries tural activity. were found. Continued archaeological works in 2004 and 2009/2011 found a prehistoric settlement of the Bronze Era AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

A clocktower in The tower of Isa between a church Boletini in Boletin, and a mosque make Mitrovica. up for a divine land- scape in Gjakova, Kosovo. Stone Tower HousesandClock Towers has worked well untilthe70’s. the chimingclock mechanism because ofthestolen bells, stopped telling timeuntil2001 Even thoughtheClock Tower of thelandmarksthatarea. to theFatih Mosque,itisone cultural value. Located next architectural, historical and is known asabuildingof Built inthe19thcentury, it the Clock Tower stands tall. cultural andhistorical area At thecore ofPrishtina’s Sahat Kulla turned into acitymuseum. An important cultural monument,the houseisdueto be tween themarshal’s troops andLeaguemembers. be- battle long a following fighting died both They guest. Albanian custom, Pasha Dreni wasobligedto protect his was aguest ofPasha Dreni, aformer Leaguemember. By oversee the cession ofAlbanianterritories to Montenegro, Mehmed AliPasha, anOttoman marshal whohad come to operation oftheLeaguePrizren in1878. military first the of site a as served 1790 in built struction mark inthecenter ofGjakova. Thisbrickandstone con- lah Pashë Dreni isbothanarchitectural andhistorical land- A traditional Albanianhouse,thehouseorkullaofAbdul- The KullaofAbdullahPashë Dreni STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING facts provided bytheEthnological Museum. see agreat example ofthemen’s oda,andtraditional arti- in 2001 and has been turned into a museum where one can Located inIsniq,thisnineteenth century kulla wasrestored due to itsfour-storied construction. kulla is an exceptional specimen ofvernacular architecture Another historically important tower, theOsdautaj family Kulla ofOsdautaj family

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

Archeological Sites

Ulpiana Novobërdë

Now only a remnant of the Was mentioned for the first time at the first decades of the past is known to have once 14th century AD, with the name Nuovo Monte (New Moun- been an ancient Roman and tain). Byzantine center. Even though Ulpiana dates The Medieval town was a mining center and up to the pres- back to prehistoric times, it ent days, remains of the walls, watch towers and founda- reached its peak during the tions of seberal other sacral monuments withing the area 3rd and 4th century AD as a of the fortress are still preserved. Roman municipium called Ulpiana Splendidissima. STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING

The old drinking fountain of Sheh Osman Baba was

built in 1605 and 65 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. 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 Erected in 1566, the mosque was founded by Gazi Meh- with floral motifs and calligraphy inscriptions make this met Pasha together with a hammam, mausoleum, madra- Just across the old stone mosque a cultural heritage gem. With the changing of rul- sa and a library - all constructed between 1563 and 1574. bridge, dominating the city ers, the mosque changed function and was damaged, most The mosque’s large porch, water fountains for washing and center, stands the mosque of severely in 1919 by the Serbian authorities. garden seats make the yard pleasant while blue and white Sinan Pasha built in 1615. The mural decorations adorn its interior. mosque is considered to bethe Bajrakli Mosque most significant and most Mosque and church - In the center of Ferizaj a rare sight beautiful mosque in Prizren. Part of the League of Prizren complex, the Gazi Mehmet Pa- may be seen – St. Uroš Orthodox Cathedral and the Mosque sha Mosque (also known as the Bajrakli Mosque) is one of of Mulla Veseli share the same yard. The mosque was built the most elaborate places of worship in Prizren. in 1894 and reconstructed in 1941, while the church was constructed in 1927. STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING Mitrovica century |Trepçë, Mazhiq builtin15th Trepca Mosquein

67 AS WE ARE

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 big- gest in Balkans and belongs to what was considered the most successful architec- tural period of the Ottoman Empire. A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

Hamam

Gazi Mehmet Pasha Hammam

Built in 1573 during the heyday of Ottoman rule. The Turkish bath func- tioned 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 more than 450years old. beauty andfresh air,isalsoanancientoak (platanus), bardh river. Part of this complex, along with the natural plex isrichinunderground waters andstreams oftheLum- In Arabic, “marash” meansarefreshing place. Thiscom- of Marash. the eastern area of Prizren, we have theUrbanComplex On theleft sideofLumbardh River, undertheCastle, in Urban Complex ofMarash STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING Marash, Prizren Urban Complex of this trading town since thesixteenth century. Çarshia eMadheortheGrand Bazaarhasbeentheheartof ing handcrafts, with wooden shutters oncobbled streets. Gjakova’s bazaarisa series ofsmallshops,somestill sell- Grand Bazaar Gjakova Grand Bazaar,

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

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

71 AS WE ARE

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 century Gjiku” is located at the core and it was owned by the known family Gjinolli. of the old city of Prishtina, in the northeast of the end Emin Gjinolli’s nickname was “little man”, or in Turkish of current center of the city, Eminçik, which later turned into Emin Gjik, from which the near the Great Hammam and complex is named. During different periods of time (almost the Mosque of Sultan Mehmet two centuries), the complex has undergone many chang- Fatih. es as a result of changing the function. But as a whole, complex “Emin Gjiku” remains one of the best 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 name. sponsored thebridge’s reconstruction, hence thebridge’s During theeighteenth century, thetailor guildofGjakova longest bridge inKosovo. the two trading towns of Gjakova and Prizren, was once the With its190meters length, thebridge,which connected STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

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

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

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

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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

79 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

81 AS WE ARE STORIES ON CONTEMPORARY CULTURE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE 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 inthe1990swhen the modernist painters like Muslim That wascertainly surprising,giver thefact thatitwas STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING national artevents across theglobe. are active, echoglobally andare partofthe biggest inter- Today’s contemporary artists, photographers and curators what wasknown atthetimeaswartimesinBalkans. Balkans, thus being accommodated in political contexts of Gallery ofArts Kosovo National Gierstberg atThe Curated byFrits AND THEOTHER PHOTOGRAPHY ALONE TOGETHER: tion/13th Edition tional Photo Exhibi- Gjon MiliInterna- Photo taken during

83 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE Flaka Haliti bull’s balls. 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 shown inMumok, Vienna.Hersuccess inMumokwas fol- 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- no ballsto bepartofadynamiccontemporary artscene. reaction to hearingmale artists sayingfemale artists have a pairofballsinthecorner oftheexhibition space, asa the NationalGallery ofArt,Flakaentered andcarefully put During theopeningofonebiggest artexhibition at STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING shared everyday globally. of borders, beingnotonly Flaka’s personal history butone Kosovo atthisyear’s Venice Biennale, addressing the topic Culture andcurated byNicholasSchafhausen,represents ‘Speculating ontheblue’,commissioned bytheMinistry of 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- boundaries.’ natural andethnical with little regard for are often drawn territories, which cisions madeabout tions ofpolitical de- made manifesta- Barriers are man-

85 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING Biennale 2015 of Kosovo inVenice blue atthePavilion speculating onthe Light transition

87 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE Petrit Halilaj The funnythingisthatyou’re nothere, nothing is.” the words to resist butinendthere isalocked sphere. “I’m hungryto keep you close. Iwantto find nothing is.” thing isthatyou are nothere, is alocked sphere. The funny to resist butintheend there close. Iwantto findthe words called ‘I’mhungryto keep you his nest-like installation the young Petrit Halilaj with the Venice Biennale presented Kosovo’s first ever Pavilion at 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 andre- members, himselfandtwo livingcanarines, thusevoking es oftrees, otherobjectsfrom themotherland,hisfamily lation, created space for hischildhoodmemories,branch- Petrit’s work inVenice, considered to beasculpture instal- STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING curated byKathrinRhomberg. Erzen Shkolloli, director oftheNationalGallery ofArtsand was initiated bytheMinistry ofCulture, commissioned by The Pavilion ofKosovo attheVenice ArtBiennale in2013 2014, ARTFORUM inDecember 2014. which led to being selected byMaurizioCattelan for Best of July?” at Fondation d’entreprise Galeries Lafayette inParis, This wasfollowed byhispresence intheexhibition “14th

89 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING Biennale 2013. Kosovo atVenice tion representing nest-like installa- branches for his collected twigsand Petrit Halilaj

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

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

Sculpture made of tubular steel, light-emitting diodes, plexiglas, steel cable, alumi- num and plastic, h15 m. Hardaupark/ Zurich 93

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

It is a young but super dynam- ‘Starting even from his early works, Xhafa uses the prej- and art critic Shkelzen Maliqi, referring to one of Xhafa’s ic scene that of contemporary udiced image of “the other”— the bad one and the weak early works, that when he was noticed internationally wan- art in Kosovo. one, the denizen and wanderer, the foreigner who is per- dering around Venice gardens, playing with a ball, while ceived as a danger to the safety and wellbeing of west- dressed as national Albanian teamer and carrying a small Right after the politically loud erners. Just like the feminist theoreticians and activists, or Albanian flag, a recorder that broadcast an Italy-Albania artists of the first generation, other groups fighting for the rights of marginalized ethnic football match and opening for himself a Clandestine Pa- comes Sislej Xhafa, maybe the and interest groups, who had used the strategy of twisted vilion during Venice Biennale 1997. loudest and maybe also the concepts to raise awareness on the dominating prejudic- most political, but working out es in their respective societies, even in countries that are After his clandestine approach to this event, Xhafa had had of the country and selecting considered more democratic and advanced (the prejudices his work shown twice and officially in Venice Biennale. The different mediums, Xhafa has of the machoism, racism, etc), so has the image of the Al- recent was in 2013, representing Italy amongst five other been accommodated as an banian immigrant (and also Arab and African) in Italy and artists and in 2005 when together with Adrian Paci and Lala internal protester choosing wider in Europe, been prejudiced as a creature with criminal Mederith Vula, he represented Albania in its deput in Venice means of absolute weirdness. predispositions—a bad person, a thief, a rapist, backward, 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 of the same city. AS WE ARE

Lala Meredith Vula is particulary known for her photographs of women in turkish baths. A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE 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 great impression onme.Iwas amazedto witness ‘Participation intheevents ofreconciliation ofblood 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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 while focusing herwork intheutter world. Hirst. Since thenshehasexhibited widely internationally the seminal YBA show Freeze show, organised by Damien Before this, in 1988, Lala Vula was one of the exhibitors in

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

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

© National Gallery of Kosovo STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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

97 AS WE ARE THIS COUNTRY IS ONE GREAT FILM FESTIVAL A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE IS ONE GREAT FILM THIS COUNTRY THIS FESTIVAL STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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!

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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. A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

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 greatest documentary and riverbed or enjoying them in the walls of a byzantine castle kuFest in 2003, merges film and theater. It is an annual short film festivals in Europe. the guards the city of Prizren. seven-day festival providing a suitable forum for students The Kosovo war of 1999 that local and international, offering them a chance to present left the city of Prizren without Doku accommodates seven cinemas and makes use of ev- their work to the public, creating interaction with audience any cinema, but after a group ery little building, road and old house for their hundreds of and receiving feedback. of friends founded DokuFest activities that include masterclasses from world known 2002, that did not only awake filmmakers and producers, to alternative cinema work- Skena Up also brings together peers from all over the Lumbardhi, the oldest open shops, to having PJ Harvey with Seamus Murphy in a spe- world and introducing students to internationally renowned air cinema in the city, but it cial talk around their joint project that involved using doc- directors, producers, writers and actors. It takes place in caused the invention of multi- umentary photography and film for the videos that featured Prishtina, offering the city not only the experience of film ple cinemas across the city. Harvey’s ‘Let England Shake’ in 2011. It is an occasion and theater, but a plenty of cultural options and all-night When the sun goes down, the when the city takes pride of its citizens and let them ca- after parties. cinema culture takes over. ress it offering charm and relevancy worldwide. This did not only help grow DokuFest expand into in a world acclaimed The biggest and the most iconic film festival of the capital event, but helped Kosovo set trends. Today, there are seven city Prishtina is PriFilmFest. Founded in 2009, right after other film festivals happening in the young republic. the Independence of Kosovo, symbol. in 1960,today thecity’s figurine discovered inKosovo Throne, aneolithicterracotta the figure ofGoddess onthe Goddess”, thatisbasedin receive astatue called “Golden The winners atPriFilmFest an international audience. offering thelocal filmmakers al cinemato Kosovo, while bring thebest ofinternation- seven-day festival thataimsto Pri FilmFest isanannual 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 in2000andisorganised mentaries, withthetopic ofdrastic violationsofhuman mentary FilmFestival onHumanRightsscreening docu- ONE WORLD /NJËBOTË isananualInternational Docu- shops, musicevents andvolunteer opportunities. work- offers it films, than other and 2009 in faunded was while supporting the community locally and regionally. It versity, richness, andcommon humanityofRomastories, Community andaimingto demonstrate andpromoteto Roma di- dedicated festival film international four-day a One of the other big festivals is also Rolling Film Festival, STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING with animation experiment andwork young artists to Encouraging Festival Anibar Animation in thecountry. festival profiled animation only the remains Anibar while cultural event happeninginthecityduringsummer, with concerts and parties, it isoneofthemost important filled nightlife rich a offering and location different three order to express theirideasandworldview. Screening in young artists to experiment andwork withanimationin of young artactivists inPeja city. Itaimsto encourage Anibar AnimationFestival was founded in2010byagroup World Trade Center in2001. remembrance ofthelives lost intheterrorist attack onthe possibilities for young directors. Itwasfounded in2003 its albanianaudience andoffering aseriesofproduction the capital is Nine Eleven, a short film festival dedicated to topic relevant to Kosovo. Theotherfestival taking place in civil society, foreign policy, environmental policy and other

101 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE Art Gallery National Kosovo and international artists. of various exhibitions oflocal Kosovo. Itisthedisplayspace visual artsinthecountry of 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 lolli, TheNational Art Gallery ofKosovo hasbecome a Run bytheinternationally acclaimed curator ErzenShko- Exhibit Award, “MuslimMulliqi”. Artist Award, “Artists ofTomorrow”; andtheInternational Exhibition ofArtistic Photography, “GjonMilli”;theYoung The most successful yearly exhibitions are theInternational STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING ard Birkett andmanyotherinternational names. Paul Elliman,Sebastian Cichocki,CorinneDiserens, Rich- Vettese, Karen McQuaid,AdamSzymczyk,Pierre Bal­ che, GalitEilat,KathrinRhomberg, Marcus Meissen, Angela hibition attheKosova NationalArtGallery are Charles Es- Other nameswhohave been involved incurating andex- 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 Blanc,

103 AS WE ARE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE Conference Graphic Design International REDO international occurrences. with anemphasison local and sions, theoretical analysis, and processes, paneldiscus- dencies, unconventional ideas practices, international ten- which focuses onengaging workshops andbookshops, prising ofspeaker lectures, tural event inPrishtina,com- Conference isanannualcul- Graphic Design The REDOInternational beautiful oval hall. REDO happeninits presentations of The maintalks and modern Prishtina. iconic buildingof is oneofthemost the NationalLibrary Built inthe70s, come aregional hubongraphic design. the public/raise awareness aboutgraphic design and to be- 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING ipants. chitects, photographers andprogrammers, are all partic- year. Studentsandenthusiasts ofallkinds,designers, ar- increased interest from theinternational scene inthelast people from thelocal andinternational scene, withan 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 mentioningthat academie have graced of field frontdesign the stage in the Respected graphic designers, typographers, andmanyfrom

105 AS WE ARE Lambda— Lambda— Lambda

Exhibition view of ‘Daily Business’ showcasing Tobias Spichtig, Paolo Thorsen-Nagel. A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE

Is the first space run by inter- It provides artists, professionals and audience with an inti- nationals for contemporary art mate and informal environment conducive to experimenta- located in Pristina. tion, discussion and learning. LambdaLambdaLambda was founded by Isabella Ritter and Katharina Schendl with the aim to strengthen the dialogue between local and interna- tional artists. MPJ OSE KOSOVO IN UNESCO PAW Prishtina Architecture Week

Site visit during one of the workshops at PAW 2015 in Prishtina. 107

Prishtina Architecture Week is spaces, proposing new scenarios for their future uses. laid out in the capital city in a PAW creates adequate spaces for young unrepresented series of talks and events aim- artists and groups and raise the capacity of local students ing to reactivate and reprogram and professionals of arts and architecture. neglected public buildings and AS WE ARE

NURTURING OUR TOMORROW A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE NURTURING OUR NURTURING TOMORROW force inthe21st century. Education asacompetitive STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

109 AS WE ARE NURTURING OUR TOMORROW STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

111 AS WE ARE

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 IN THE MAKING

Doves by Armend Krasniqi was a TOP 10 winner at #Insta- Kosova, the biggest national competition in photography. GRAND ACHIEVEMENTS 113

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

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 IN THE MAKING

Today, the illiteracy rate for our young people is only 2%, equal for both men and women 115

Focusing on practical skills Vocational education is still viewed by many to be a nar- Joining UNESCO would also help create national funds row route. Students who go to vocational schools become for technical and vocational trainings so it can support Vocational schools in Kosovo, specialized in fields such as building and construction, demand and the need for quality training in Kosovo. In- similar to other profession- commerce, administration, trade, etc. Vocational education volvement of diverse stakeholders in the design, planning al schools, aim to provide provides people with practical skills and the underpinning and management of TVET often leads to incoherent policy students with a more practical knowledge to use these skills, however without a proper frameworks and can even be the cause of friction between foundation, suited to the labor labor market needs analysis and a redirection of educa- different institutional stakeholders. That is why Kosovo market needs. The duration tional resources, vocational education risks remaining as a needs to further develop the plan, and as a country in its of the vocational higher sec- dead end for students unwilling to continue university. With early stages of institutional reforms, it is not easy to al- ondary education, as a part of such an enormous base of young people and limited fund- ways clarify roles and responsibilities. the pre-university education, ing capacities for tertiary education, vocational education is divided in 3 levels. The first has to move up on the agenda of our education strategy. With the help of UNESCO, Kosovo can avoid these mistakes level includes grades 10+11, and look up to other good examples of UNESCO countries providing a basic qualification For people who decide to continue their studies through a that are succeeding in quality TVET. 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 estab- lish national training boards to ensure monitoring, man- agement and provision of heterogeneous systems of TVET. Kosovo is also working towards improving the efforts of the development of quality vocational programs. AS WE ARE

Jahja Kokaj Receives Kuwait; Recognition International Scien- of the Government of tific Awards Cuba for Collaboration and Help of CELA Jahja Kokaj, a 66 provided to the Laser year-old prominent Research in Cuba; Sci- scientist from Kosovo, entific Researcher of is a Professor and the Year – Recognition Researcher at the from PEGAS Alterna- Kuwait University in tive Academy; etc. the subjects of Optical Data Processing and With the aim of Holography, Laser supporting Kosovo in Application in Medi- building its scientific cine, Astronomy-Mu- and academic capac- on Observations, and ities, Kokaj estab- Nano Characterization lished the holography of Thin Films Using laboratory in the Uni- Laser Spectroscopy. versity of Prishtina, Among numerous which was one of the awards and honors most advanced labo- that he has received ratories of its kind in during his long career the former Yugosla- in the field of Spec- via. During the 90s, troscopy and Laser Kokaj has contributed Optics, to bringing modern lasers and detectors Mr. Kokaj concludes for practicing the the 2014 with year- modern physics at the long achievements. University of Tirana Among others, he has and the University been nominated for of Prishtina. He is King Faisal Interna- currently supporting tional Prize – 3rd many Albanian ex- Place (2014); Recog- perts to reach interna- nition for Successful tional achievements NURTURING OUR TOMORROW Collaboration of Laser in his scientific field. Lab of Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology (MIT) in the U.S. and Center of Excellence for Laser Application (CELA) in STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING

The primary goal in our education strategy is to enable all children, partic- ularly marginalized groups to access free education.

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

FULL EMPOWERMENT A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE EMPOWERMENT FULL they should never give up. them atdifficulttimes, andthat that thepathhasbeen paved for women leaders, to remind them decorating offices ofourfuture ters, andtheirportraits willbe proudly tell to theirdaugh- be thestories mothers will Kusari-Lila amongothers, will Ambassador Çitaku, Mayor One dayPresident Jahjaga, STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

119 AS WE ARE FULL EMPOWERMENT STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

121 AS WE ARE

In June 2015, thou- sands 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-art- ist, 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 stitutions in thelast decades. representation ofwomen in- 2011, andhasincreased its – H.E.Atifete Jahjaga–in to elect awoman president vo wasthefirst Balkan country example for theregion. Koso- we are working hard to setan In terms ofgenderequality, ized groups. initiatives thattarget marginal - framework andencouraging establishing amodernlegal for this developmental lagby it isnow tryingto compensate areas suchassocialequality, accumulated initspast in baggage thatKosovo has Despite theunfortunate its representation ofwomen ininstitutions inthelast decades. president —H.E.Atifete Jahjaga— in2011,andhasincreased Kosovo wasthefirst Balkan country to elect a woman 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 hold government our in quota. Althoughnotmany,theseveral women ministers also benoted thatabouthalfofthem are elected without en, second highest representation in theregion. Itshould the parliament,32.5%ofMPs inKosovo today are wom- Partly thanksto a30%quota for female representation in STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING become regional leaders ofinclusive socialdevelopment. be able to achieve fullempowerment ofwomen andtruly cess to education, andstrong female role models,we will Step bystep, withinitiatives suchasthisone,better ac- international mediacoverage. inciting alocal debate, theinstallation alsoreceived heavy at break thesilence on Kosovo’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 15% in2014,butitstill remains lower thanintheregion. ownership ofproperty hasincreased from 8%in2012to

123 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 the still existing conservative patriarchal society. Holding of her success, which were often offensive remarks from causes and sources the on prejudices daily the fighting of to European integration andvisaliberalization process, that the pressure from thecitizens to deliver on matters related success asapoliticianandleader ofaninstitution, thatof multiple challenges: thatofdelivering andproving the A woman politicianinKosovo lives and works against 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 multitasking, ethical andsensitive leader. yes thatexpression shouldexist to describeahardworking, She rarely refused ameeting, sheworked “like awoman” – STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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, will bethestories mothers will One dayPresident Jahjaga,Ambassador Çitaku, Mayor Ku- today represents Kosovo inWashington. sion agenda,openedherdoors to theLGBT community, and olence duringthewarinKosovo, advanced theRAEinclu- the initiative to request justice for thevictimsofsexual vi- that nootherpoliticianever didbefore, strongly supported momentously, moved thegenderequalityagenda at arate Despite thechallenges, Vlora pushedtheEuropean Agenda Albanian women hungonheroffice wall. inspiring herself daily from portraits ofstrong, important Minister of European Integration, Vlora stood up proudly, one ofthemost important positionsinthegovernment, as

125 AS WE ARE

A COMMON

FULL EMPOWERMENT SPACE STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING

We have put efforts into building a civic democracy, in which we celebrate the diversity and indi- viduality of all com- munities cohabiting in Kosovo. A COMMON SPACE 127 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 Considered as the nity in Kosovo, Alba- and Egyptian commu- community in Kosovo of the smaller com- people originally from largest minority in nians comprise a pop- nities are recognized lives in the region munities in Kosovo. Bosnia, whose native Kosovo, the Serbs ulation of 1,600,000. as separate under the of Prizren. There are About 7,000 Gorani language is Bosnian, number around Spread throughout Constitution of Koso- about 25,000 of Turks live in Gora, a rural are predominantly 100,000 living in Kosovo, their native vo, however they are in Kosovo, speaking region in the farthest Muslim. The com- Kosovo, living mainly language is Albanian. sometimes grouped turkish and identifying south of Kosovo, munity counts about in the north of Kosovo Albanians do not under the label RAE. as Muslim. The turk- between Macedonia 60,000 people in around Mitrovica, as necessarily identify There are an esti- ish language is also and Albania. Gorani Kosovo today, spread well as in the east with one religion - al- mated 37,000 of RAE widely spoken in cer- consider themselves out across different in places such as though predominantly community members tain albanian commu- Muslim, whereas their regions. Gracanica and Gjilan. Muslim, there are living in Kosovo, of nities living in Peja, language is similar They speak Serbian, Albanian Catholics, which about 9,000 Mitrovica, Prishtina to Serbian and Mace- and are followers of Bektashi, Jewish, etc. Romani, 15,000 and Gjilan, especially donian. the Serbian Orthodox Ashkali, and 11,000 among older family Church, which has Egyptians. They use members. four sites registered Romani, Albanian and in the UNESCO World Serbian language, Heritage List. depending on where in Kosovo they live, and the majority of them is Muslim. FULL EMPOWERMENT STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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 theInde-

129 AS WE ARE INTERFAITH HARMONY

FULL EMPOWERMENT IN KOSOVO STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING

A church and a mosque share the same garden in the city of Ferizaj, INTERFAITH Kosovo. HARMONY IN KOSOVO 131 AS WE ARE

“Kosovo has a story to “In Kosovo we have a tell – a story of a tortured particular situation in which Internationalhistory, war, conflict but the majority of people also of progressive nation- are following the Islamic Interfaithbuilding and forward-looking tradition but some of the post-conflict society. Seldom most important religious in today’s world you find a sites belong to Christian Initiativecountry in with overwhelming tradition, particularly that of Muslim population, where the Orthodox Church. Is this Jewish rabbis feel like rock a contradiction? No, I would Kosovo 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 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 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, 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,genderequality anddiversi- 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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 of IslamicStudiesinPrishtina Vice-Dean to theFaculty — BesaIsmaili, do asgrassroots activists.” visible thegreat thingsthey all from modesty andmake should unchainthemselves in mosquesandchurches of religion. Women andyouth sometimes served inthename against patriarchy thatis imperative to themto stand and theBible sayisan faith, aboutwhattheQur’an attaining knowledge aboutthe have theunderstanding that “Women offaiths inKosovo 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- importance.” on issues ofsuchcritical to debate andexchange views cultural and religious 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 Constantinian Order ofStGeorge Council MemberoftheSacred Military Rocco diTorrepadula, — Prince DonCristoforo

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Originally published for the International Interfaith Conference Why Interfaith 2015, Kosovo in Kosovo?

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

Being at a crossroads in Kosovo has had more than its fair share of this kind of histo- inspiring vision and enlightenment who have managed to the Balkans where different ry, the recent conflict being the latest and hopefully the last establish a true bond of mutual respect and dialog fostered cultures and religions have episode of this long history of strife and war. Thousands of in their frequent meetings and discussions. Whereas nation- succeeded one another, some- lives were lost during the war in the late 1990’s, and the af- alism, which caused the conflict, is by definition exclusive times lived together and often termath of that war has seen more loss of life and property. (it is based on the exclusion of the Other), these religious clashed with each other, Koso- leaders have sought the inclusive elements inherent in reli- vo has a long and rich history, Prominent among the ruins caused by the recent conflict gion, that is, the common points of their different religions, the extant material legacy of are religious sites of the two main religions represented and they are putting them to good use in order to promote which goes back thousands in the region, churches and monasteries on one hand, and understanding and peace. of years, as far back as the mosques on the other. The loss of important items of reli- Neolithic period. Such legacy gious and cultural heritage has been enormous. One tends The Interfaith Initiative, which has been active in Kosovo for includes prehistoric sites to bemoan more the destruction of cultural heritage of ex- the past four years and is the organizer of yearly Interna- and artifacts, archeological ceptional quality and of universal value – and some of the tional Interfaith Conferences, is based on the same philoso- sites from antiquity and early cultural items destroyed in the Kosovo conflict belong in phy: use the inclusive elements contained in religion for the Christian times, the ruins of the that category. But we should not forget that in fact every common good, enhancing understanding and peace. Roman town of Ulpiana, etc. heritage is unique and holds inestimable value for the com- Why in Kosovo? Because, in the process of building and munity that has created or inherited it. Destruction of such rebuilding that it is going through, Kosovo needs to use As a result of its later history, heritage amounts to destruction of a community’s spirit and the best means available to it, and inter-faith dialog is, in

FULL EMPOWERMENT starting in the Middle Ages, the as such is as serious as destruction of life. these hard post-conflict times, a field promising progress territory of Kosovo has become and a better future. Inter-ethnic dialog remains the main a rich mosaic of religious and Kosovo is now in a post-conflict situation, and in the pro- challenge, where important difficulties still persist. It is cultural traditions that have cess of building and rebuilding, both at the material level, therefore reasonable for Kosovo to turn to the kind of dialog shaped this area and have left in terms of infrastructure, and at the level of institutions and that is proving positive and draw the conclusions that can to humanity many important of community spirit. Reconciliation among the people who be used in tackling persisting difficulties in the inter-ethnic religious and cultural sites. fought against each other in the conflict is of paramount dialog. These sites, regardless of their importance and an indispensable task. Interfaith dialog is a religious affiliation or ethnic most valuable tool to that end, as inter-faith relations seem It is common practice to organize conferences in order to identity, have attained univer- to have come out of the conflict practically unscathed. In- tackle problems and seek solutions to them. The problem sality and are a valuable part deed the conflict, like most conflicts in the region’s modern to solve becomes the subject matter of the conference. The of the world cultural heritage. and recent history, was interethnic in nature and not a war Interfaith Conference in Kosovo is not that kind of confer- Both Christian and Muslim of religions. Religion played a secondary role in it, in fact ence. Interfaith dialog is being promoted not because dialog sites fall in this category; its role was more often that of a victim than that of an ac- among faiths is a problem in Kosovo, but precisely because prominent among them are of complice. it is a field of recognized success. Interfaith dialog is not course the sites of the Serbian part of the problem, but part of the solution. Orthodox Church inscribed on That interreligious relations have developed in Kosovo in One important point to be underlined: Kosovo is not alone the UNESCO World Cultural a clearly positive direction is a very remarkable and very in trying to build up a better future for its people; the in- Heritage List. But the realm of welcome phenomenon. One could adduce a number of ex- ternational community has as serious a stake in Kosovo’s history is first and foremost the planations for it. The history and the geographical position success as Kosovo itself and is a valuable partner in all its realm of pain and suffering. of the country, half-way between the Catholic and the Or- efforts, including in this Interfaith Conference. And the phrase “rich history” thodox capitals of Christianity, has allowed the two major has become a euphemism for Christian Churches to develop and interact here, and the Ambassador Dr. Dimitris A. Moschopoulos is a Greek retired saying that a given history Ottoman Empire which introduced Islam into the region dis- diplomat, whose last posting was in Prishtina as head of the has been a history of strife, played remarkable tolerance in matters of religion. The re- Greek Liaison Office, from 2008 to 2014. During his service conflict, war and destruction. ligious modus vivendi that had developed through centuries in Prishtina he was mandated by the EU to also act on its Nowhere is this more apposite was respected to a large extent also during the Yugoslav behalf as Facilitator for the Protection of the Religious and than in the Balkans (cf. also times. And today’s Kosovo is resolutely and officially sec- Cultural Heritage of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo. the saying that “the Balkans ular, a state of things which allows space for free expres- He is currently contracted by the UNDP to work as Advisor to produce more history than they sion and choice in developing inter-faith relations. Major Kosovo institutions on religious and cultural heritage. can consume”). credit for the development of inter-faith relations must go of course to the religious leaders involved, who people of to Multiculturalism Kosovo’s Road sorted out. was aproblem they wanted and inter-religious hostility parents’ legacy ofinter-ethnic They were very clear that their proceedings. Nomeanfeat. USA for one hourduringthe into thetop ten trending inthe and they tweeted theirway The themewassocialmedia month thatstruck memost. annual interfaith gatheringlast of young people atKosovo’s It wasthehighpercentage fast. who wantthingsto change unusually young population insecurity, and,for Europe, an hostilities, stereotyping and realities oflingeringsocial of reconciliation confronts the government’s firmintention with NorthernIreland, ayoung Summer sunshine.Yet, as right for Kosovo intheearly thinking itdoesnotfeel quite But you could beforgiven for flict society”isoneofthem. and categories and“post-con Political scientists needlabels century mosquestill inuse. utes awayisanexquisite 14th ripe, red softfruit.Five min lines ofpunnetsbrimmingwith for honey between thelong There are theoccasional signs ries piled high.Stall after stall. this timeofyear withstrawber Sunday afternoon. Itislined Mediterranean town onasunny has thelanguorofasmall where people promenade. It cars onAgimRamadanistreet, allel withthebustling linesof Tony BlairFaith Foundation By IanLinden,SeniorAdvisor wide pedestrian boulevard par Kosovo’s maincity,there isa In thecentre ofPrishtina, - - - - called into question. Hasitnotentrenched patriarchal au other-practice ofinterfaith dialogue iscorrespondingly studying texts- havingshared meals-andbeingnice to each But throughout Europe, themiddle-aged menwithbeards- face significant new challenges. on soundfoundations. Thecountry’s religious leaders also it hasbeencharting,tryingto establish religious pluralism tion-building. Itfaces astrong headwindagainst thecourse phenomenon ontop offacing theimmediate task ofna Da’esh. TheKosovo government hasexperienced thesame small numberoftheir citizens thathave left for Syriato join threat asEuropean societiesreact to terrorist threats anda Commitment to multiculturalism inEurope hascome under suffered badly. No-one had touched it during the war. Other churches had and church in the town’s suburbs, a UNESCO heritage site. the beautifully preserved Orthodox 14thcentury monastery Albania) wassometestimony to thiscommitment, aswas ished butlooking raw, (herfamily moved to Kosovo from fin Teresa,almost Mother to dedicated cathedral Catholic is aneffective deployment ofsoftpower. Thevast Roman championing interfaith dialogue andreligious pluralism Balkans country isnoless impressive thanitsinsightthat of thegovernment ofthissmall,predominantly Muslim, BFMTV, France’s largest news channel.Theconvenor power book, andHarold Hyman,editor andgeopoliticsexpert from ers suchasMonica Bickert, headofproduct policyatFace It was refreshing to have alongside religious leaders speak Institute for Interfaith Dialogue whohadinvited them. vants from the Kosovo Foreign Service and the International In thisthey hadthesupportof-alsoyouthful -civilser and proselytism. immune system, buildingresilience to extremist narratives not aone-offinoculationrather itslowly buildsupthe two are notmutually exclusive. Inter-religious dialogue is driving a cart and horses through extremist narratives. The though, itsvery practice, the threat ofagoodexample, is love work of CVE, Countering Religious Extremism. Often, ing. Too often itcan becontrasted withthehands-ontough interfaith dialogue today, whichbalances talking withdo ment isachieving, oroftheaction-oriented nature ofmuch But thisisnotafair account ofwhattheKosovo govern nothing changes”.Andsoon. thority structures? “Whatisthepoint?”“They gobackand STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING ------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 useofsocialmediafor theirreligious messages. leaders today. True, inthemain,they have little ideaabout It istoo easyto laughat,caricature anddismiss religious ment. Development) consultant onmatters ofFaith andDevelop ed asaDfID(UKgovernment Department for International in interfaith dialogue with Shi’a leaders in Iran and has act member oftheChristian-Muslim Forum oftheUK,worked awarded theCMGfor work for humanrightsin2000.Heisa of theCatholicInstitute for International Relationsandwas director years fifteen for was He Catholicism”. Global and ies onfaith andglobalisation, “A New MapoftheWorld books onreligion inAfrica and,recently, two majorstud in theUniversity ofLondon.Hehaspublishedanumber ligion at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) Faiths Act,andan associate professor intheStudyofRe dation, formerly director oftheSocialActionProgramme, Ian Linden is Senior Advisor at the Tony Blair Faith Foun 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 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.Theintuitionthatyoung sorption ofliberal democratic ideasandnew responsibili charnel househasgiven adegree ofurgency. But theab 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 11.06.2015 Huffington Post on Published inthe well some well ------

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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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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

137 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING formation technology. it isimportant to increasingly promote business andthein- mography andEnglish-speaking citizens, businesses locate theircorporate websites. Given itsde- to obtain itstop level domainsoonto 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

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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 30global 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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).

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SUPPORT

FULL EMPOWERMENT TO INNOVATION

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/ TO INNOVATIONTO SUPPORT SUPPORT 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 developingexperience 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING and high-impactpublic campaigns. logue through advocacy community outreach initiatives youth—and opportunitiesfor youth—for participatory dia - 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-

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Some local and international events, include the Global Entrepreneurship Week 2013 & 2014 (ICK is a National Host for Kosovo); NASA Space Apps Challenge Prishtina (winner of NASA’s People’s Global Choice Award 2015) the Job Fair in cooperation with STIKK; Hack for Fun Workshops; Week of Women in coopera- tion with National Democratic Institute and USAID, and many others. FULL EMPOWERMENT place intheinternational ICT market. of thewagespaidabroad, Kosovo isdetermined to make its With competent network engineers working for afraction 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 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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

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A space for discus- sion, for emerging new projects, for networking, for growth. FULL EMPOWERMENT 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- workshop ganized bytheBiomoddPrishtinacommunity. Itwilltake day 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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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AS WE ARE

HERITAGE ALIVE A LIVING HERITAGE IN CONTEMPORARY DYNAMICS A LIVING HERITAGE `

STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING

HERITAGE ALIVE 149

One cannot miss the breathtaking and massive mountains in this country. AS WE ARE HERITAGE ALIVE HERITAGE STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

151 HERITAGE ALIVE AS WEARE RIVERY AND MOUNTAINY WATERY, STORIES OLD AND NEW OF A COUNTRY IN THE MAKING WATERY, RIVERY AND MOUNTAINY 153

The imposing mountains, the bountiful rivers and waterfalls, the fas- cinating marble cave put Kosovo natural heritage on par with other countries. 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 1,015 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 is1,015m. 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING 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

155 AS WE ARE

Gadime Cave, also known as Marble Cave was first dis- covered in 1966. It is a rare karst lime- stone 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 cutting stones in his garden in Lipjan Municipality. A site where stalactites and stalag- 1966, he discovered an mites often meet to form solid pillars, it is 1200 m. long astonishing marble cave – and dates back to millions of years ago. The Romeo and now known as Gadime Cave. Juliette story is famous in the Cave – if the stalactite Ro- meo ever kisses the stalagmite Juliette, the 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 important centers for thewinter sports. federation ranked AlbanianAlpsasoneofthefour most rock climbingandsocialgatherings.Theinternational ski 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING gatherings. climbing andsocial paragliding, rock hiking, skiing, are suitable for Rugova mountains

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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 contrib- utors.

Building this modern museum was neces- sary for the preser- vation 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 sci- ence, 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 IN THE MAKING

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

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 ex- plains 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 159 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 pro- duce 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 water- falls, 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 OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING first-hand aboutsomeofouroldest 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 wayto become acquainted withourcul- Kosovar food. houses, where theladies prepare delicioustraditional Ambienturists have theirlunchesatthelocal women’s

161 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 in the making / Editor Fiona Kelmendi, Rina Meta. – Prishtina: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kosovo, 2015. – 164 f. : ilustr. me ngjyra ; 21 cm.

1.Kelmendi, Fiona 2. Meta, Rina ISBN 978-9951-595-06-3 ISBN 978-9951-595-06-3

9 789951 595063 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

Editor: Fiona Kelmendi, Rina Meta

Contributors: Agon Maliqi, Alban Bakija, Arif Muharremi, Arben Llapashtica, Astrit Zatriqi, Astrit Ibrahimi, Bujar Gashi, Deniz Xheka, Emanuel Gjokaj, Enver Bylykbashi, Ermal Meta, Fiona Kelmendi, Gazmend Krasniqi, Jetmir Idrizi, Katharina Schendl, Leonard Dubova, Majlinda Hoxha, Marc Perry, Marcin Pudelek, Marigona Kastrati, Meddy Huduti, Mentor Shuki, Nita Deda, Nita Salihu, Orgesa Arifi, Petrit Selimi, Raif Kabi, Renea Behluli, Rina Meta, Rozafa Maliqi, Sara Rodiqi, Selvije Gashi, Shpat Buzoku, Tefta Kelmendi Merran, Valon Badivuku, Vigan Hoxha and Yll Citaku. STORIES OLDANDNEWOFACOUNTRYINTHEMAKING

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