We recently visited Europe, and had the opportunity to do a day trip to Kosovo (country #74). Information and photos from our trip to the towns of Pristina and Prizren are below.
Albania and Kosovo were one country from the 16th to 20th century, as they were part of the same administrative district of the Ottoman Empire. When the Ottoman Empire lost a war against Russia, they had to give land to Russia as compensation. At this time, Albania was independent. However, as a reward to Serbia, Albania was given to Serbia. Liberation of Albania land from Slavic armies started with a creation of a opposition government with a prime minister. The opposition asked for an autonomous Albania state (Albania, Kosovo, and some other areas). It only lasted a year, with activists being assassinated or imprisoned. 34 years later, Albania was independent. The border has been the same since 1935. After Yugoslavia fell into civil war, Kosovo, which had been part of Yugoslavia, fought a war for independence. NATO intervention, along with aid from their Albanian counterparts, resulted in independence for Kosovo. As a result, the Albanian border with Kosovo is more lax than with other countries. They have a mutual agreement and are trying to remove the border (the closest of which is a 2 hour drive from Tirana), as most ethnic Albanians want a big Albania state, but it is not that easy, politically. They are trying to make the economy and trade easier, and make it a more business-friendly environment. There has been recent improvement between Kosovo and Serbia with trade and the border, following long years of restrictions due to the war.
(l to r: the most educated man in the land, the emir, and the army commander who started the liberation of Albania land from Slavic armies)
Kosovo received its independence in 2008. 92% of the people are Muslim, and the rest are Orthodox Christian.
(outside of Pristina)
This monastery was protected for years by NATO forces because of people wanting to damage it. It was built in 1231 by Milotin, who was the 8th king of the dynasty, and one of the most popular kings of that time. It is an Orthodox Christian Church (Serbian Orthodox Church), though used to be a Catholic church. It is built in the Eastern Orthodox Byzantine Style, with five main domes, and three main sections inside: a section for believers, a nave, and a section divided by holy gates for the bishop and church staff. Milotin’s uncle separated the Serbian church from the main Bulgarian East Orthodox Church.
Pristina (prish-tee-nuh) is the capital of Kosovo, and has 300,000 inhabitants. In the 20th Century, there was a reflection of the Vinka culture, which was a way of living adopted by the native Illyrian culture. Pristina reflected Byzantine influence until the Ottoman Empire conquered the region and divided the area. When the Ottoman period ended, Kosovo was annexed by the Serbians and stayed under Serbian rule until the Kosovo war for Independence ended in 1999. Pristina was not damaged very much during the war in Kosovo.
(Albanian hero that the people of Kosovo also revere due to their ties with Albania)
(in Pristina)
There is evidence around this city that reflects their gratitude for Americans, as Bill Clinton was president when NATO intervened against Serbia and ended the war. Clinton visited twice – right after the war, and again in 2019. As a result, there are American flags prominently displayed within the country, and citizens fly both the Kosovo and US flags on their property, and will have both flags in their weddings. There is also a huge photo of former President Clinton on the side of one of the buildings in Pristina, and a statue of him below that mural.
(was also nominated as one of the ugliest buildings in the world)
In Kosovo, government institutions must have people who speak Serbian, Albanian, and Turkish. Starting in 3rd grade, students begin to learn English (90% of them learn this). Albanians who live on the coast often learn Italian on the coast, and many Albanians have just begun to learn German.
The photos above are of monuments to women of war. The top one is a monument to women who lost their lives during the war, or who were abused or raped during the war. A similar monument is the NEWBORN one, which has been changed to different colors every year since 2008.
Bektashi Muslims don’t call to prayer, but do pray 6 times a day, and one of the prayers is longer (can be up to 2 hours) than the short one in the mosque. They bury their clerics inside the grounds of the mosque, which they believe will bring good luck. They also allow people to see and participate in their services, as they hope people will feel comfortable and connected, and will find their calling.
These photos are from an area of Kosovo called Prizren (population: 80,000). The first evidence of civilization in Kosovo was reportedly found within the castle area. It was home to one of the kings in the 17th century, and served as a place of refuge at the time of attack.
While we only had one day to spend in Kosovo, it was well worth the visit, especially to see how much progress has been made since the war. Until next time, take care and be well…