Culture and the Diaspora

RESEARCH ON THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY IN CULTURE AND THE KOSOVO DIASPORA CULTURE AND THE DIASPORA

Rrjet i organizatave të pavarura të kulturës të Kosovës Prishtinë, Janar 2016 www.forumikulturor.net

Rrjet i organizatave të pavarura të kulturës të Kosovës www.forumikulturor.net

THIS PUBLICATION HAS BEEN PRO- “THIS PUBLICATION HAS BEEN DUCED WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF PRODUCED WITH THE ASSISTANCE THE EUROPEAN UNION OFFICE IN OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. RE- KOSOVO. SPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTENT SET OUT IN THIS PUBLICATION LIES ENTIRELY WITH FORUMI KUL- TUROR, AND IT DOES NOT NECCE- SARILY REFLECT THE OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION”

RESEARCH ON THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY IN CULTURE AND THE KOSOVO DIASPORA CULTURE AND THE DIASPORA

Author: Adrian MORINA

Projekt i financuar nga BE-ja dhe i menaxhuar nga Zyra e Bashkimit Europian në Kosovë CONTENTS

1 Introduction p4 2 Work Methodology p5 3 Current State of Play p6 3.1 Kosovo Institutions and the Diaspora Community p6 3.2 Artists in Diaspora p8 3.3 Culture Associations in Diaspora p9 3.4 Language and Culture Supplementary Classes p11 3.5 Kosovo Culture Centres in the Diaspora p13 4 Recommendations p15

4 • KULTURA DHE DIASPORA “Sometimes we feel we straddle two cultures; at other times, that we fall between two stools”. - Salman Rushdie, Imaginary Homelands: Essays and Criticism 1981-1991

“If we invest one Kuna for the Diaspora, the Diaspora will return one thou- sand to us” Croatian saying

KULTURA DHE DIASPORA • 5 1. INTRODUCTION:

According to the latest census home countries, as is the case with conducted in 2011, Kosovo has a the Kosovo Serbs diaspora com- resident population of 1.739.825. munity that does not accept to be However, this census was disputed called Kosovo diaspora, but rather for numerous reasons, including regards itself as Serb diaspora. the method used and its accuracy, According to statistics from various but also the non-inclusion of Koso- sources, only in Turkey there are vo citizens living abroad. around 5 million citizens of Alba- Based on statistics and information nian origin, with most of them orig- from other sources, the diaspora inating from Kosovo and the rest community members having direct from Albanian regions of Macedo- ties with Kosovo comprise a higher nia, and the Republic of Albania. number than the inhabitants resid- In Greece and Italy, most of the ing in Kosovo. estimated 2 million members of This resulted because of migration Albanian diaspora originate from from Kosovo to other countries the Republic of Albania, whilst in (mainly to Western countries) that Central Europe (Switzerland, Ger- took place at different periods in many, Austria) around 80% of the history. estimated 850.000 members of the Moreover, the political organization Albanian diaspora have direct ties of the diaspora, with the communi- with Kosovo. ty members assembling according Whereas in USA, the number of to their ethnic background and not Albanian diaspora members is esti- their nationality, makes it even mated to be around 1 million. more difficult to obtain accurate in- Another difficulty with finding the formation on the size of Kosovo di- exact number of Kosovo diaspora aspora community worldwide. This members is because most western is because all diaspora members countries collect national statistics of Albanian origin are organized in based on the language spoken (e.g. one community, regardless of their Albanian- speaking, Serb-speaking) 6 • KULTURA DHE DIASPORA and not based on the country of origin. Notwithstanding the statistics, the Government of Kosovo has established a sound legislative and administrative basis for preserving ties with the diaspora. The current legislative basis in Kosovo comprises the Law on Diaspora and Migration (Law no. 04/L-095), and the Strategy on the Diaspora 2013-2018. Furthermore, the Government of Kosovo has also established the Ministry on Diaspora, currently run- ning its second term of office.

KULTURA DHE DIASPORA • 7 2. WORK METHODOLOGY

The data used in the present research paper have been extracted from direct meetings with senior officials from the Ministry of Dias- pora, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, interviews with organizations beneficiaries of grants for car- rying out activities for the Ministry of Diaspora, and from direct discus- sions and interviews with members of the diaspora, mainly those living in central Europe. During the course of this research, it came to light that this was the first research of such kind ever to be conducted, with no past research or analysis available for reference. All information has been collected during the period of November – December 2015.

8 • KULTURA DHE DIASPORA 3. CURRENT STATE OF PLAY

3.1 Kosovo institutions and the ra in Kosovo; diaspora Promoting and supporting publi- - The Republic of Kosovo Min- cation of books written by writers istry of Diaspora is currently serv- from the diaspora; ing its second term of office. Part Supplying libraries with books, of this Ministry is the Department including with the support of the for Identity Preservation, with a Kosovo National Library, upon re- Division on Culture and Education. quests from diaspora members. Some of the key culture-related - Except for partaking in ac- activities carried out by this Ministry tivities organized during the “Al- include: banian Culture Days” the Republic Opening and managing Kosovo of Kosovo Ministry of Culture is Culture Centres in diaspora; not involved directly in any other Provision of Albanian language and activity organized in the diaspora. culture textbooks to schools in the However, it is open to subsidize diaspora; projects of associations operating Organizing Albanian Culture Days in the diaspora. abroad; - In coordination with the Hosting activities during “Diaspora culture associations and organi- Days” held in summer time; zations operating in the diaspora, Subsidizing projects of associations the Republic of Kosovo Ministry and groups of individuals in the of Foreign Affairs organizes cul- diaspora; tural activities through Kosovo Networking with culture associa- embassies and consular offices in tions and groups in the diaspora; countries they operate. However, Identifying artists and using their such activities primarily remain at capacities as part of the “Brain national holidays level, such as the Gain” program; national holiday of Independence Promoting success stories from Day, 8th of March, etc. artists and groups from the diaspo- - The Republic of Kosovo Minis- KULTURA DHE DIASPORA • 9 try of Education deals directly with talent and fame. designing the curriculum for Alba- Some of the most popular Alba- nian language and culture supple- nian artists living in the diaspora mentary classes in the diaspora, at present include: Ismail Kadare as well as with the publication of (writer – France), Rita Ora (pop books on these subjects. singer – Great Britain), Elina Duni Almost all Kosovo municipali- (jazz singer – Switzerland), James ties organize certain small-scale Belushi (actor - USA), Angjelin activities throughout the summer Prelocaj (choreograph – France), season, with most of them being Sisley Xhafa (contemporary artist meetings or concerts with the slo- -USA), Eliza Dushku (actor - USA), gan “Welcome Compatriots” Rexhep Mitrovica (actor – France), According to the Law on Diaspora, Dua Lipa (singer – Great Britain), the public television broadcaster Sten Dragoti (producer - USA), Inva ‘Radio and Television of Koso- Mula (singer – France), Shkelzen vo’ shall air 9% of its program to Doli (violinist – Austria). diaspora, which is not the case in In addition, there is another large reality. category of artists from diaspora popular in the countries they live in, 3.2 Artists in Diaspora such as: Alban Ukaj (actor – Bos- Historically, the Albanian Diaspora nia), Eda Zari (singer – Germany), has played a significant role in all Arben Bajraktaraj (actor – France), walks of life. This began since the Astrit Alihajdaraj (actor – Austria), national renaissance, with Jeronim Imer Kutllovci (actor – France), De Rada and the publication of the Ramë Lahaj (singer – Germany), first Albanian newspaper, and con- Ardian Bujupaj (pop singer – Ger- tinues to present. many), Përparim Rama (architect – The number of successful artists in Great Britain) etc. diaspora is amazingly high; how- This list can reach can be extended ever Kosovo does not employ their to hundreds with names of other 10 • KULTURA DHE DIASPORA professional artists born and raised Kosovo liberation. in diaspora, such as many famous However, the number of profes- artists from Turkey and other coun- sional individuals with their primary tries of the world. job being in associations is very Still, cooperation with the national small. The vast majority of associ- institutions and employment of ations and groups operating in the their capacities remains very low. diaspora remain at a low operation Except for Rita Ora, who has been level, with activities promoting folk awarded Ambassador of Honour by music and traditional dances and the President of Kosovo for pro- songs. moting Kosovo, the artistic capac- Another key problem is lack of ities of artists are rarely put into coordination between the associ- use, that being only in concerts or ations. The Ministry of Diaspora is private projects. working with all associations on The reason their talent has not been establishing a network of them at employed can be attributed to the state level, but the main challeng- absence of cultural production in es remain the past affairs between Kosovo. associations and the occasional tendencies of Kosovo political par- 3.3 Culture Associations in Dias- ties to politicize them. pora These associations mainly survive Based on information provided from volunteer work, and a part by the Ministry on Diaspora, the of them apply on yearly basis for number of culture associations op- funds from Kosovo institutions, erating in the diaspora is relatively predominantly from the Ministry of high, with most of them estab- Diaspora. Some of them apply with lished in the mid-nineties, with the projects also at the Ministry of Cul- main motive being to revive the ture, whereas only a small number national spirit, a need for preserv- use community integration funds ing the identity and contributing to provided by countries they operate KULTURA DHE DIASPORA • 11 in. Funds provided by the Ministry Countries and number of associa- of Diaspora are limited. In 2015, tions dealing with culture activities. the project applications reached Based on the register identified by an amount of over EUR 2 million, the Ministry of Diaspora. whilst the Ministry of Diaspora SWITZERLAND: 132 funds for supporting such activities GERMANY: 99 amounted to EUR 130.000, that AUSTRIA: 35 were allocated for 67 projects. SLOVENIA: 3 Based on information from the CROATIA: 18 Ministry of Diaspora, every year SWEDEN: 27 Upper Austria allocates a fund of ENGLAND: 40 around EUR 30 million dedicated FRANCE: 6 for community integration. Associ- ITALY: 11 ations of immigrants living in that NORWAY: 2 part of Austria are eligible to apply USA: 34 for such funds, but, despite being BELGIUM: 8 fourth in size, the Kosovo commu- DENMARK: 3 nity associations are the last in the FINLAND: 4 beneficiary list. This is not because GREECE: 8 of lack of will of authorities to AUSTRALIA: 6 support them, but because of lack CANADA: 10 of professional capacities to design projects and to apply for funds.

12 • KULTURA DHE DIASPORA 3.4 Language and Culture Sup- changes to the organization of plementary Classes Albanian classes. Some teachers Albanian language and culture decided to invite their colleagues to classes are organized in a number discuss about the matter of self-or- of countries where Albania diaspora ganization of supplementary class- is highly concentrated. es. In that meeting it was decided This section contains information to convene a working assembly on on such supplementary classes or- 14 September 1990, with the aim of ganized in different countries, with establishing an Albanian Teachers more details on those organized Council. The outcome of the as- in Germany, following an analysis sembly was the Albanian Teachers carried out as to the process devel- Association called the Albanian opment there. Teachers Council “Naim Frashëri” First traces of Albanian school in Germany. can be found in the primary school The ATC contributed to extending (Grundschule) Paul Gerhard lo- the network of Albanian schools cated in Euskirschen town, in the and established cooperation with proximity of Koln, NRW Land. legitimate bodies of the Republic of Albanian classes started there on Kosovo. 21 April 1975. After some time, The situation with Albanian lan- schools were also opened in the guage supplementary classes in small cities of Kuchenheim, Kall, Germany is not at a satisfactory Bechtolsheim, and Stolberg, close level, with the exception of those to the university city of Aachen. The organized in the cities of Hanover, teacher who taught these classes Osnabruck, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, in these cities was Faik Mehmeti, Hamburg, and Volksberg. Around who was assigned by the bodies of 40 teachers work in these cities, the then Autonomous Province of and they are paid by the German Kosovo. state. However, apart from teach- The academic year 1989/90 brought ing Albanian classes, most of KULTURA DHE DIASPORA • 13 them also teach German classes. mentary classes. In Berlin there is Teaching is organized at a rela- only one teacher working on vol- tively satisfactory level also in untary basis with around 50 pupils. Baden-Württemberg. The current The classes are held in German number of teachers working in the schools. The number of Albanians cities of Stuttgart, Freiburg, and living in Berlin is estimated to be other small cities of this state, is around 20.000. Apart of the above- 28, working on voluntary basis mentioned, Albanian classes are with around 1000 pupils. Teaching not held in any other part of Ger- is held in German schools, after many. regular hours and in Saturdays. In some big cities, such as Karlsruhe, • Number of schools (classes), Singen, Heilbronn, etc., due to teachers, and pupils (informa- non-payment of teachers, schools tion given according to state have closed classes 5 years ago, administrative division system) despite availability of teachers and a big number of pupils. The number of active Albanian The situation is worse in Bavaria, language teachers in Germany is with only 3 to 4 teachers work- around 70, whilst the number of ing, and, more importantly, not pupils attending supplementary in school premises. The school classes reaches 2000. of Memmingen, with around 100 The following section contains an pupils is at risk of being closed due analysis of the current state of play to lack of space. Based on approx- of Albanian language and culture imate information, the number classes in Switzerland. of Albanian school age children The Albanian Teachers and Parents living in the States of Bavaria and League “Naim Frashëri” in Switzer- Baden-Württemberg is estimated land began its activity on 20 Sep- to be above 20.000 with less than tember 1990, and its duty was to 2000 of them attending supple- organize supplementary teaching in 14 • KULTURA DHE DIASPORA Albanian language. Classes are held during the time At the beginning there were two pupils are free, mostly during associations, including the Alba- afternoons and not during regular nian Parents Association and the school hours. Attendance is option- Albanian Teachers Associations. al, meaning parents are not obliged In 1995, they which merged into a to necessarily send their children to single association, called LAPSH such classes. (Albanian Teachers and Parents Classrooms and other teaching Movement), that was since ac- tools are provided by the Swiss cepted by the relevant legal bod- entities. Classes are held two ies of Switzerland. LAPSH has a hours per week. In more than 90% chairmanship composed of heads of places where such classes are from the cantonal councils, head held, teachers are paid by parents. of chairmanship, the secretary, and the cashier. • Number of schools (classes), Parents Councils are established at teachers and pupils (informa- those places where supplementary tion given according to state classes are being held. During the administrative division) nineties, the number of pupils attending supplementary classes was In the 14 Swiss cantons where higher compared to the first decade Albanian supplementary classes of 2000 and the present times. Rea- are held, the total number of pupils sons for such a drop in attendance attending is 1809, with 160 classes, are various. and 57 teachers.

• Albanian language classes organization system (including the management and organization)

KULTURA DHE DIASPORA • 15 Please refer to the table below for more information:

Canton Number of Number of classes Number of pupils teachers Aargau 6 10 250 Basel Stadt and 1 2 + (1) 20 Basel Land Bern 7 8 162 Glarus 1 2 43 Geneva 6 19 285 Jura 1 6 87 Neuchâtel 1 1 18 Schaffhausen 1 1 7 Schwyz 1 1 15 Solothurn 1 2 16 St. Gallen 6 26 198 Thurgau 7 10 93 Vaud 10 14 118 Zürich 8 40 497

14 57 160 1809

16 • KULTURA DHE DIASPORA Austria: • The subjects they learn include: In the public schools of Austria, in Albanian language and litera- addition to regular German classes, ture, history, geography, music, supplementary Albanian classes arts, all from various Albanian are also taught. Such classes are regions. organized, financed, and controlled • Many of textbooks are provided by the relevant Austrian education free of charge by the Austrian institutions, under the following Ministry of Education and the organization: Kosovo Ministry of Education.

• At the school the pupil goes • Number of schools (classes), during morning hours, if there is teachers and pupils (informa- a sufficient number of pupils (at tion given according to state least 12 pupils). administrative division) • Grouping of pupils from various schools in the closest school. From total 12,500 Albanian pupils • 2 to 6 hours per week. living in Austria, only 2500 at- • Parents must fill in an applica- tend classes in Albanian language tion form with pupil details and taught by 19 active teachers. express their wish for their child These are just a few countries for to regularly attend supplemen- which we provided an analysis of tary classes. the current state of play of Alba- • The application form can be nian language and culture classes obtained at the school where taught in diaspora. the child is enrolled. • The Albanian supplementary 3.5 Kosovo Culture Centres in classes are held according to Diaspora the curriculum designed by the Following decision No. 08/2014, Kosovo and Albanian Ministries dated 30 January7 2013, opening of Education. Kosovo Culture Centre for Diaspora KULTURA DHE DIASPORA • 17 and Migration in Turkey, on 25 Oc- Another decision of the Government tober 2013, the Kosovo Government of the Republic of Kosovo rendered rendered decision No. 05/153 es- on 25 October 2013, established tablishing Kosovo Cultural Centres such centres also in Germany, for the Diaspora and Migration also France, Austria, and USA. Besides in Switzerland, Germany, France, KCCDM in Turkey and Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, and USA. These in March 2014 such a centre was centres operate pursuant to Law opened also in Sweden. 04/L-095 on the Diaspora and Mi- Through these culture centres, the gration. The centres in Switzerland, objective of the Government of Turkey, and Sweden, have been Kosovo is to preserve the national already opened, whilst during the identity and to promote our culture period 2016-2018, the Ministry of in the countries where members Diaspora is obliged to undergo all of diaspora live and work. In this procedures establishing and func- regard, in addition to establishing tionalizing the centres in Germany, ties with the homeland, the diaspo- Frances, Austria, and USA. ra community also strengthens ties Despite the Government decisions, between the homeland and the host funds have not been allocated for country. opening and maintaining them. In order to achieve this objective, Moreover, another problem is the the Ministry of Diaspora organizes a legal basis, as the functioning of range of culture activities, adapting such centres has not been planned at all times to the demands of di- accordingly, and neither the pos- aspora community members. Such sibility for absorbing funds from activities organized in these centres countries they operate in. include Albanian language courses, The Kosovo Culture Centre for concerts organized in cooperation Diaspora and Migration (KCCDM) in with culture associations operating Turkey, being the first centre of this in the countries where the KCCDMs kind, opened on 23 February 2013. are established, organization of 18 • KULTURA DHE DIASPORA literature round-tables, book promotion events, artistic exhibitions, etc. In addition, such Centres are also open for activities and events organized by the diaspora community members themselves. With the aim of achieving the best results, in the joint meeting between the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and the Coun- cil of Ministers of the Republic of Albania, held in Tirana on 23 March 2015, a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry of Dias- pora, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Albania has been signed for joint culture activities in the diaspora and for opening joint culture centres in the diaspora.

KULTURA DHE DIASPORA • 19 4. RECOMMENDATIONS

• Establish legislative infrastruc- Ministries of Culture and For- ture for the structure and func- eign Affairs in supporting the tioning of Culture Centres Ministry of Diaspora, in particu- • The Government of Koso- lar in the Culture Days Project. vo should allocate funds for • Obligations stemming from the immediate establishment of Law on Diaspora to be met by Culture Centres in countries as Radio and Television of Koso- set out by the decisions taken. vo with regards to the share of • Funds allocated for culture program on diaspora. activities organized in and with the diaspora to meet the needs and demands. • Mechanisms established by Kosovo institutions for building the professional capacities of culture organizations in diaspora. • Establish an accurate database with records of all organizations and individuals dealing with culture activities in the diaspora. • Full implementation of agree- ments reached with the Re- public of Albania for opening culture centres, organizing joint culture activities, and organizing Albanian language and culture classes in diaspora. • Obligatory involvement of the 20 • KULTURA DHE DIASPORA Cultural Forum

Oda Theatre held numerous meetings capacities for the implementation of their during the end of 2011 with the purpose programs , of establishing a network of the cultural organizations in Kosovo. These meetings - Promotion of member organizations, were attended by more than 60 partici- - Inclusion of member organizations in de- pants, representatives of different organi- cision-making, zations of culture, thus creating the possi- bility to organize the founding Assembly - Boosting the support for the independent on 23 March 2012, which laid the founda- cultural scene, tion of the Network of Independent Orga- nizations of Culture – Cultural Forum. The - Protection and improvement of the posi- founding Assembly laid the foundation tion of organizations vis-à-vis the relevant of the Cultural Forum with 22 indepen- institutions in Kosovo and abroad. dent organizations as members. Through democratic voting, the Statute was adopt- The Cultural Forum aims to fulfill its ed and the network presidency was also mission through the following activi- elected. The Cultural Forum is an entity ties: registered as a network of independent or- - Communication and networking of inde- ganizations of culture. It was decided that pendent organizations of culture, the role of interim Secretariat will be as- sumed by Oda Theatre until the capacities - Dynamic exchange of information and are built to form a professional secretariat experience, of the network. - Lobbying and advocacy activities, The Cultural Forum of Kosovo is a network of independent organizations of - Specific trainings for the needs of mem- culture in Kosovo, established with the ber organizations, purpose of: - Organization of debates and fora, - Strengthening the independent organizations of culture by developing their - Coordination of artistic and cultural activities. KULTURA DHE DIASPORA • 21 Cultural Development Forum

Forum for Cultural Development is a Project aimed to further develop and strengthen the Cultural Forum established back in 2012, by providing advice and valuable expertise for the cultural policies of Kosovo. The Project is sup- ported by the European Union Office in Kosovo, and implemented by the Cultural Forum, Oda Theatre and DokuFest. The first Project activities were carried out in December 2013. The Project is supposed to continue through to November 2015. During this two year period, the Cultural Development Forum will come up with at least 28 cultural policy products that will result from research, debates, focus groups and conferences. The Project will also strengthen the network of independent culture organizations, built its Projekt i financuar internal capacities and impact the devel- nga BE-ja dhe i menaxhuar nga opment of culture policies of Kosovo by Zyra e Bashkimit producing the knowledge for culture. In Europian në Kosovë addition, the Project will spur the dialog and cooperation between the sector of independent culture and public authorities so that concrete solutions for Koso- vo’s cultural development could arise. Implementuar nga: www.forumikulturor.net

22 • KULTURA DHE DIASPORA forumikulturor.net facebook.com/ForumiKulturor twitter.com/forumikulturor forumikulturor.net facebook.com/ForumiKulturor twitter.com/forumikulturor