EDITION 1 2013 EDITION 2 2014 EDITION 3 2015 THROUGH THE YEARS EDITION 4 2016 EDITION 5 2017 EDITION 6 2018 EDITION 7 2019 THROUGH THE YEARS EDITION 1 27th-30th May 2013 EDITION 2 27th-31st May 2014 EDITION 3 7th-12th October 2015 EDITION 4 25th-30th May 2016 EDITION 5 25th-31th May 2017 EDITION 6 25th-30th May 2018 EDITION 7 10th-16th June 2019 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF WOMEN ARTISTS AND ACTIVIST It began as an ambition and desire to continue as a necessity for the society within our coun- try and in the region, and it continued to be extended solely to give space to art, solidarity, humanity, peace, freedom, entertainment, joy, empathy, and empowerment. Given the diffi- culties faced by women and marginalized groups in Kosovo and in the region on daily basis, rising from these obstacles by confronting and breaking social norms across generations, Art and Community Center – Artpolis for seven years in a row, strating in 2013, has orga- nized a festival aiming to combat these difficulties. This beautiful artistc initiative became a stage so that voices of artists and activists can be heard, and since its first edition it took the form of a prestigious festival. The festival continues to be a platform for initiating and presenting ideas and creations that bring ahead feminist concepts and its development in Kosovo and the region. FemArt brought together local, regional and international women artists of all kinds of ex- pertise, from first-time exhibitors to experienced professionals. There were included women artists and activists, as well as men with feminist attitudes, creators of films, theatre perfor- mances, photographs, music, writings, together with creators and other professionals that contributed with research, discussions and exchange of information. The diverse program of the FemArt festival is not only educational but also entertaining, which has managed to gain a wide diverse audience and leave them with a complete expe- rience. These programs of past editions were selected by a group of artists and civil society activists who have experience in various art forms that have a link between social issues and art creations. 4 The festival’s motto over the years, such as “We are no island”, “Fearless”, “Run the Show”, “Freedom Vs. Shame”, etc. were the inspirational and orienting for artists and activists to showcase their creations and to raise or fight issues that were mainstreaming that specific year of the edition. Inspired by social themes and human rights in the Balkans and beyond, they joined in this dynamic platform of the festival, and artistically informed the public about the social problems that Kosovo’s women and of the region face each day. “Throughout this week Prishtina has gained a more feminine sensation thanks to the performances, music, and panelists that FemArt has gathered from around the world. Using art, writing and theatrical performances they have taken a step in the struggle for rights and gender equality. Leading us on a tour around Pris- tina, at times at the National Gallery, other times at the Oda Theater and Grand Hotel premises, FemArt has tried to turn our attention to topics that tend to be sidelined or discussed only during International Women Day.” - writes KultPlus in one of the many articles on FemArt. “I would like FemArt to last 365 days a year because it is truly a celebration of Art, a wonderful “exhibition” of true value.” - says actress from Albania Egla Ceno. “I am very happy to have participated in an important experience, such as FemArt. In particular, I appreciated the program the festival has developed, which brought together international guests and specific issues related to Koso- vo in the debate. Personally, I am very happy with the organizing part; I was welcomed since my arrival and accompanied in the best way during my stay. So thank you all for the enriching and great experience.”- Silvia Basso, the artist from Italy. 5 FEMART FESTIVAL 1 27th – 30th May 2013 The first Feminist regional Festival in Kosovo was organised for 4 days while started as a small festival but has achieved its mission by providing a welcoming place for women artists to show their art, inspired by social themes and a wish for respect of their rights and to provide an entertaining and dynamic atmosphere for visitors to learn on social issues confronting women of Kosovo, and women artists in particular in the region. The Motto of the 2013 was “We are no island”, thus aiming at enhancing discussions and attracting attention on issues related with Feminism in Kosovo and to serve as a call for more cooperation between Kosovo women and those from the region as important actors in peace building and increased cooperation. Oda Theater in Prishtina, was the host of the first edition of the FemArt festival. FIRST EDITION FIRST During the four day of the festival there were over 60 artist and activists (women and man) from different countries that were involved through their activities and projects as well as volunteers, youngsters from communities living in Kosovo. Kosovo Albania Bosnia & North Serbia Sweden Hercegovina Macedonia The festival was attended by: 2000 people. The first edition of FemArt Festival was supported by donators: Kvinna till Kvinna, EU funds project managed by the European Union Office in Kosovo, UNDP. Medial sponsors: TV21, KOHA. 6 Theatre Performances 4 2 Photo exhibitions Short and documentary films 12 Concerts 2 Book promotion 1 1 After parties 2 Poetry night FIRST EDITION Musical and choreographed performance with solists DAY 1 Kaltrina Miftari & Safet Morina, ballerina Teuta Krasniqi & piano Melos Buza. Photography exhibition ”In the meantime” by Majlinda Hoxha. Cocktail party Panel discussion ”Women in the War”. Special presentation of short fiction films created by DAY 2 Kosovo’s Women Directors: ”The Return” by Blerta Zeqiraj, ”Lullaby” by Antoneta Kastrati, ”Shkurta” by Arzana Kraja and ”Empty Bucket” by Antoneta Kraja. Presentation and discussion on ”Bogujevci Exhibition” by Saranda and Jehona Bogujevci. Presentation of the documentary film ”Women’s War” by Marika Griehsel from Sweden. Theatrical performance ”Crossing the Line” by Dijana Milosevič from DAH Theatre in Serbia. Poetry Readings ”Poetry and Love” with interpreters Anisa Ismajli, Melihate Qena, Bislim Muçaj & Shengyl Ismajli. Music performance by singer Egzona Ademi and guitar Florin Fanaj. 8 FIRST EDITION Discussion ”Documentary films from the region – On the road DAY 3 to EU” Film presentations: ”We aren’t in Paradise” by Lendita Zeqiraj from Kosovo/France, ”In/visible City” by Natasa Poplavska from Macedonia, ”The First Real Women Sound” by Brankica Draskovič from Serbia. Presentation of a documentary film of an Interview with Simone de Beauvoir about ”Why I am a Feminist”. Presentation and discussion for BEFEM FESTIVAL and the feminist scene in Serbia with Christina Wassholm and Jelena Visnjič. Photography exhibition of Feminists ”CURE” from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Theatrical performance ”Sex, thank you just for trying” by Merita Smaja from Albania. Film presentations with discussions: ”Portraits of Free- dom” by Kaltrina Krasniqi, ”Mirror, Mirror” by Blerta Basholli, DAY 4 ”Harmonika” by Burbuqe Berisha and ”Birth doesn’t Ask” by Parta Kelmendi. Book promotion and panel discussion:”The being doesn’t live here” by Sibel Halimi with panelists: Nerimane Kamberi, Halil Matoshi & Lulzim Haziri. Theatrical performance”Purifying the Idiot” by Aleksanda Kovacevič from Kraljevo Theatre in Serbia. Coctail party. Women Choir Concert ”VOX ART” from Kosovo with Ylber Asllanaj – Conductor and Rina Bilurdagu – Piano. 9 FEMART FESTIVAL 2 27th – 31st May 2014 The second edition was organised at the highest cultural institution in Kosovo – respectively at National Theatre of Kosovo during 27-31st of May, 2014. This year’s edition was very special due to the fact that we have financed Premiere productions (performances, exhibitions, book promotions and publishings) of young and talented Kosovo and regional artists on the topics of Sexuality, Dealing with the past, VAW and LBGT rights. The programme of the festival also included but wasn’t limited to topics such as: Human rights, Reproductive health and sexuality, GBV, Transitional justice in the Balkans, women empowerment, Sexual violence during the war, regional cooperation etc. The festival also became part of the national initiative for Solidarity fund for Floods in the region (Serbia, BiH and Croatia) by selling bags and T-Shirts with festival logo and collecting all the funds for the solidarity Fund. During the five days of the festival, there were over 150 artists and activists (women and men) from different countriesthat were involved through their activities and projects Volunteers, from communities living in Kosovo were also part of the festival. SECOND EDITION Kosovo Albania Canada France North Montenegro Serbia Macedonia The festival was attended by: 2,000 people. Second edition of the festival was supportet by donators: Kvinna till Kvinna, Ars Progeti with funds of European Union, UNFPA, AGGA, Prishtina Municipality and Kosova Women’s Network -KWN. Medial sponsors: TV21, Koha 10 Premiere stage 2 readings Workshops 1 2 Premiere Performance Exhibitions Book promotion Theatre 1 performances 2 Short Films 5 Concerts 1 Website launching, Presentations and discussions on activism and art 5 in the region 1 Documentary Films Web page launching After parties 5 Poetry 1 session SECOND EDITION Opening the festival DAY 1 Premiere of theatrical performance”To the Rose in Elbasan” by Arta Gashi and Fikrete Miftari. Presentation ”Remembering Mother” by Besa Neziri Rugo- va – Fashion Designer and Saranda Bogujevci – Curator from Kosovo, Great Britain and USA. Exhibition premiere ”You don’t kill a Woman this way” by Suzana Varvriča Kuka and artists: Suzana Varvriča Kuka, Greta Dhaskali Lami from Albania, Marta Zadrima from Montenegro and Gai le Japon from Canada. Cocktail party and music by Oda Halili.