RECENT CULTURAL COOPERATION BETWEEN AND SERBIA

Armanda Hysa

This policy paper has been produced with the financial assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The contents of this document are the sole responsbility of the author and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Recent Cultural cooperation between Albania and Serbia

Dr. Armanda Hysa

Introduction

When discussing issues of positive communication between Albania and Serbia, the ghost of complicated ethno-political relations captivates our imagination. Researchers or policymakers who are more invested in knowledge of European history, and specifically in the history of South Eastern Europe do not show immediately signs of enthusiasm, and rightfully so. From one side stands the knowledge of at least 200 years of enmity between Serbs and Albanians, an enmity that has seen a bloody materialization during two Balkan Wars, two World Wars and during the wars of disintegration of Yugoslavia. Decades of peace in between them have been permeated by what Robert Hayden has named "antagonistic tolerance", or "negative tolerance" (Hayden 2002:205), meaning, periods characterized by apparently normal relations, while by not resolving the conflict underlying them, the chance of renewal of conflicts remains high. As a result, the need for new initiatives with regard to possible normalization of relations becomes strong in the aftermath of conflict period. Sometimes this process is articulated as "process of reconciliation" (procesi i pajtimit - proces pomirenja), with little hopes that this will actually happen.

Based on the idea that reconciliation forms the foundations of sustainable peace in the region, EU has initiated the Berlin process in 2014, with the principal aim to develop and strengthen cooperation in the Western Balkans region, fostering this way what is called "process of normalization of relations" between WB countries.1

This brief will focus on cultural cooperation between Albania and Serbia from 2017 to the present, trying to grasp its strong and weak points. We will briefly summarize the

 Armanda Hysa is an Albanian ethnologist and social historian with extensive experience of more than 18 years in social and historical comparative research on formal and informal institutions and practices in the Western Balkans, interethnic relations in the region, gender, corruption, and identity politics. She started her research career as part of Albanian Academy of Sciences (Institute of Folk Culture / Institute of Cultural Anthropology) and as Albanian Studies fellow at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, University College London, where she researched the topic of Albanian-Serbian mixed marriages. 1 For a detailed information on The Berlin Proccess, see https://berlinprocess.info/ state of cultural relations from 2000 to 2016, then will discuss the cooperation during the last two years and by the end will try to propose what to improve in the future.

Premises

There are two points that are worthy stressing when discussing the issue of cultural cooperation between Serbia and Albania: Firstly, the perception that ties in the cultural field are weak, or inexistent, result of lengthily frozen political and economic relations, conditioned by historical rivalry and enmity of these two Balkan people over Kosovo question, and secondly, that strengthening these ties will positively influence the fulfillment of common goal of both states regarding EU integration.

I would like, however, to point out that, despite everything, cultural cooperation with Serbia is growing, and is likely to continue this trend in the years to come. On the other hand, focusing on the common goal towards EU integration helps this cooperation, since there are various European framework programs that might foster common cultural cooperation, especially in the CSO sector. Yet in order for policies of cooperation to be successful, and have a positive impact over what is now known as “the process of normalization of relations between Albania and Serbia”, activities fostering cooperation should have a grassroots element. This means that the focus on EU integration is necessary, but not enough: it is necessary to foster institutional cooperation, but not enough as to positively impact bottom up cooperation. Sometimes even the implementation of obligations towards minorities might face angry reactions by public opinion, which can influence negatively further cooperation.

Cultural cooperation from 2000 to 2016.2

Channels of official cooperation have been established through multilateral initiatives and programs such as the Council of Ministers of Culture of South East Europe (First Round Table: Tourism, Culture and Inter University Cooperation) and Cultural Heritage: The Bridge to a Common Future in the field of culture and cultural heritage established in 2004).

Ismail Kadare has been published in Serbian language since late 1970-ies. His recent works "Three elegies for Kosovo" (2000) and "The fall of the Stone City (2011) have been published in Serbia and the publishing house Samizdad B92, have purchased the

2 This summary has been made possible thanks to the policy paper "Cultural collaboration between Albania and Serbia and what can be done to use the potential in the future", by Monika Maric, available at: https://www.aiis- albania.org/sites/default/files/Cultural%20collaboration%20between%20Albania%20and%20Serbia.pdf copyright for his collection of stories. Other Albanian authors translated and published in Serbia up to 2016 are:

Bashkim Shehu – The feast (2003), Anilda Ibrahimi – Red like a bride (2013), Fatos Kongoli - The dog's skin (2013), poetry of Luljeta Lleshanaku - Child of Nature, edition “Small box” (2012). Other prose fragments were featured in literary periodicals in Serbia, from Ridvan Dibra and Zija Çela. The publishing house "Književna radionica Rašić" in Belgrade has published in Serbian language "Dolap"(wardrobe), a book of essays by Arian Leka. Many books were translated from Serbian to Albanian language during this period starting with the most prominent Serbian writer Ivo Andric, like "The Bridge on the Drina" (2005), and "Travnik’s chronicles" (2012). In 2006 a book by Milovan Gjilas was translated: "The Unperfect Society: Beyond the New Class and The face of totalitarianism". Two Milorad Pavic's books have been translated into Albanian - Dictionary of the Khazars (2012) and collection of the Terrible Love Story. Vladimir Arsenijveic's books translated in Albanian during this period include: "Mexico: war diary" (2015), "Predator" (2010), "In the Hold" (2012). By Filip David have been translated: The House of Remembering and Forgetting (2016) and “A Dream of Love and Death”.

Seeds of cooperation were planted also in the fields of cinematography and theater, with a culminating point, the Serbian Albanian co-produced movie, "Honeymoon", by Goran Paskaljevic and Genc Permeti.

Cultural cooperation from 2017 to now: discussion.

Cultural cooperation has certainly a broad meaning, but in this brief I will focus on an institutional level and CSO sector.

On an institutional level3:

In frame of the Third Conference of Council of Ministers of Culture for SEE Europe held in Tirana between 21st and 22nd February 2017 both ministers of culture have signed the program of cultural cooperation between Albania and Serbia for the period 2017- 2021. The scope of this program is to develop and support the cultural cooperation between institutions and various organizations, to foster the exchange of experience and the implementation of policies in the fields of arts and culture, based on EU standards and UNESCO standards.

The theater of and and the Popular Ansamble of Albania has signed the protocol of cooperation with the National Theater in Belgrade in June 2018. In frame of this protocol from 27-30 september 2018 the opera "Carmen" was put on the stage of

3 Internal report of the Department for foreign relations, Albanian Ministry of Culture. Pallace of Congress in Tirana. Conducter of this show was the Head of Theater of Opera and Ballet of Serbia, mr Dejan Savic. Two other Opera singers from Serbia played the roles of Don Jose and Carmen. In Belgrade 4 Albanian opera singers performed in the same opera show Carmen, on 15 december 2018. On 23rd november 2018 Albanian Ambasador in Belgrade, Ilir Bocka has participated in the meeting of respective ministers of culture of Organization for economic cooperation of the Black Sea region in Belgrade.

In frame of programm Creative Europe both ministries of culture have supported events promoting respective literature and writers in both countries. A main stakeholder in these events from Albania, that is still playing a major role for this purpose, is Poeteka Albania. Its publishing house has translated and published the novel of Srdjan Srdic, Satori, the novel Komo from Srdjan Valjarevic, In the hold, from Vladimir Arsenijevic, and many other poems and short stories from serbian writers in its literary magazine Poeteka. In frame of the program Balkans in Between, it has hosted for one month in Tirana 1 or 2 serbian writers per year, from 20134. Stefan Capaliku's novel "Everyone goes mad on their own ways" was published in 2018 by the publishing house "Clio", and the writer has promoted it in Uzice, at the Popular Library, in March 2019.5 Arian Leka's books "In search of the lost shirt" and "Man's shoulders" have been published in 2018 by the publishing house "Partizanska knjiga".6 The novel "Nudo" of Ridvan Dibra has also been translated in Serbian, and is soon to be out of press.

Singers from Serbia have participated in international competitions in Albania, supported by Albanian Ministry of Culture. Theater troupes from Serbia have participated in International Theater Festivals that took place in Albania. Albanian simphony orchestra has included in its programs partitures from Serbian compositors of clasical music. The Albanian Ansamble of popular songs and dancings was invited and have participated in a folk fest organized by the comune od Surcin.

CSO cooperation On May 26, 2017, The joint center for Albanian-Serbian Relations organized the cultural event "Albania recognized literature," dedicated to the Serbian-Albanian literary and cultural cooperation. The aim of this event was to get informed with the contemporary literature of Albania, present the latest translations, and encourage them to expand and publish as a comprehensive anthology. In frame of Western Balkans Fund a few projects related to cultural cooperation were supported, as follows: - The Balkan Youth Forum titled “Creative innovations towards active youth participation in the Balkans” was successfully realized from 14th to 17th of May in

4 https://poeteka.blogspot.com/ 5 https://www.danas.rs/kultura/stefan-capaliku-u-uzicu/ 6 http://gazetashqiptare.al/2019/05/05/shpina-e-burrit-tregimet-e-arian-lekes-ne-beograd/ Skopje. Over 70 representatives of CSOs, local authorities and youth workers participated in the three-day forum, all of them coming from different Western Balkans Contracting Parties. - Roman heritage in the Balkans - Association for the promotion of Italian culture in BiH “Dante Alighieri“, BIH; UET CENTRE, Albania; Institute of Archaeology Belgrade – IAB, Serbia; Montenegrin Association for New Technologies MANT, Montenegro - Travelling Cinema Academy of Film & Multimedia Marubi, Albania; Fund B92 Foundation as legal framework of Free Zone Film Program, Serbia. - Street Art in the Balkans Club for Youth Empowerment 018 Serbia, BiH, Macedonia, Albania Partners: 1. BRAVO Association, BiH 2. Alter Center, Macedonia 3. Dolori Association, Albania.7

Remarks: With exceptions to events organized by The Joint Center for Albanian and Serbian Relations and by Poeteka Albania, CSO cooperation is very weak, as priority is given to topics such as sustainable development, employment, science and renovation, and human rights and youth exchange, as well as dealing with the past. It seems that the mantra that culture has no borders and culture has the power to unite people is not so much evaluated by the donors in the CSO sector. Culture can also be a decisive divisive factor, if its power continues to be underestimated. I would like to emphasize the negative reaction of public opinion in two cases. 1. When Serbia successfully registered gusle as part of its cultural heritage patrimony to UNESCO and 2. When Albanian public television broadcasted songs of Ceca Raznatovic as part of its program dedicated to minorities. Negative reactions in such cases risk to become hysterical, and to put on hold any further cultural cooperation.

Recomandations: In order to avoid what I mentioned priority should be given to cooperation in the field of cultural heritage, emphasizing common cultural traditions and elements and customs. This should be done through organization of seminars and workshops in the field of ICH. Albanian and Serbian folk ensembles should cooperate, being careful as to avoid those traditional performances related to historical battles and conflicts, and focusing more on ballads and lyrics.

7 http://westernbalkansfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WBF-First-Call-Grant-Awarded- Projects-1.pdf

Exchange of experience in the field of museology Cooperation in the field of restoration of cultural monuments. Cooperation in the field of illegal trafficking of cultural patrimony. Cooperation in the field of preventive archaeology, and creative industries. Strengthening cooperation in the field of literature, a stronger PR with regard to what has already been done in this respect, and widening cooperation, in cooperation with universities and reading events, inviting writers from both countries as invited lecturers and being more present in the daily cultural press. Writers should be engaged to participate in bookfairs of both countries. In a grassroot level, serbian music is part of daily lives of people in the Shkodra Region and some parts of Middle Albania. But I have the perception that it is widely likened by people, because of the past, when albanian citizens were in contact with yugoslav televisions. Serbian music, then, should be part not only of programs dedicated to minorities, but we should be careful as to avoid singers that were actively participating in Milosevic support. Hopefully the same should happen in serbia with albanian music. Same as with literature, cooperation must be fostered in the field of visual arts and cinema. In my personal opinion, it is a pity that here in Albania we know so little of Serbian cinematography and popular shows like Ivkova Slava, Zona Zamfirovska, Skupljaci perje, Ranjeni orao, and others....

SOURCES

Hayden, Robert (2002), Antagonistic Tolerance: Competitive Sharing of Religious Sites in South Asia and the Balkans, in: Current Anthropology 43(2):205-231.

Maric, Monika (2017), Cultural collaboration between Albania and Serbia and what can be done to use the potential in the future, https://www.aiis- albania.org/sites/default/files/Cultural%20collaboration%20between%20Albania%20 and%20Serbia.pdf

Internal report of the Department for foreign relations, Albanian Ministry of Culture.

Stefan Capaliku u Uzicu, Danas, March 27, 2019, https://www.danas.rs/kultura/stefan-capaliku-u- uzicu/

Srdjic Srdjan, Shpina e burrit ne tregimet e Arian Lekes, suplementi Milosao http://gazetashqiptare.al/2019/05/05/shpina-e-burrit-tregimet-e-arian-lekes-ne-beograd/ https://poeteka.blogspot.com/ http://westernbalkansfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/WBF-First-Call-Grant-Awarded- Projects-1.pdf