After years of waiting, Kosovars were finally granted visa-free access to the European Union in January 2024 – a long-awaited step toward freedom of movement. But for many, that freedom remains incomplete. One student’s recent "deportation" from Georgia, despite holding all required documents, reveals the harsh truth: not every door in Europe is open, even when the law says it should be.
Walking through the chaotic streets of Prishtina, where traffic, uneven pathways, and an apparent disregard for personal space reign, can feel overwhelming. Yet, amidst the noise and hustle, there’s a pocket of solace I’ve found: listening to TRIME. With its evocative melodies pouring into my ears, this podcast doesn’t just make you listen – it makes you feel.
Last weekend, citizens from Kosovo, Albania, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and other countries gathered in Prishtina for the second edition of the Prishtina Queer Festival.
Since 1989, the Roma theater club from Kosovo, "Nexhip Menekshe", created by the "Durmish Aslano" organization, has used theater to address various social issues. The theater stage curtains have been the window to a world that values Roma culture, Roma identity, and the rich heritage of Roma in our society.
"There are many stray dogs in Pristina" is one of the phrases that has been mostly said to me recently by foreign friends. It is easily noticeable that in Kosovo, but especially in Pristina, the city streets are often filled with stray dogs. This phenomenon does not stem from the great love we have for dogs. Also, the interaction of citizens with dogs is quite complex in itself.
Very often, when I see myself in the mirror, I start analyzing my body. It's easy for me to identify things I dislike about my body: height, the shape of my nose, my fingers, thickness –this, that. It's much easier for me to list everything I don't like about my body than the elements I appreciate. This is an ongoing «battle» with my body, fueled by societal expectations, body-shaming, and unnecessary comments from people.
Oresti, Elhami, Almira, Ilfetja, Mahiri, and Erhani are among the sixty children who attend the «Azure» nursery school in Fushë Kosovë every day. There, they participate in numerous educational and enjoyable activities, including learning about their rights, social development, manners, and much more through games and activities.
Over the course of three days, the Prishtina Queer Festival drew hundreds of participants and visitors from various European countries and beyond. A diverse range of activities were meticulously organized to promote and document queer culture and its historical significance.
It seems that we have often misunderstood the true essence of a home versus a house. A house, at its core, remains a mere physical structure, devoid of the emotional connection that defines a genuine home – I could have also written this text in Albanian, but I feel it holds more meaning in English, and I would prefer to keep it that way.
LGBTIQ+ individuals still face numerous challenges as a result of systemic oppression, which goes beyond high levels of collective homophobia and is perpetuated through state institutions. Dylberizm and Hyjneshat are two highly active queer collectives that have made and continue to make invaluable contributions to empower the LGBTIQ+ community, raising awareness among the general population, and advancing queer culture in Kosovo.
The topics of the environment, global warming, recycling, and plastic waste pollution are relatively new and not widely discussed in Kosovo. Despite some attempts and initiatives to improve the environment and promote its protection, these issues are not considered significant overall. In response to this situation, a group of young individuals established the «DYVO» collective.
In the last few years, Muslim LGBTIQ+ individuals have become increasingly visible in various social arenas, including the media. However, this heightened visibility has also sparked strong resistance from some segments of the Muslim community and other groups.
Yesterday, on March 8th, the streets of the capital and its suburbs in Kosovo were filled with the sounds of protesters. Under the organization of the feminist collective, «We march, we don't celebrate» activists and citizens marched against any form of oppression and discrimination based on gender.
Damit wir noch besser werden