“We built, and we tried, and we learned. I think if you think about the fact that only 25 years ago this place was burnt to the ground and destroyed, and if you come to see what it is now, you don’t need to talk about the progress, it’s right there, it’s in your face, you see it.” -Interview Participant
Progress is often challenging to recognize, especially when striving towards something greater. When we focus on our aspirations—on where we hope to be—it can be hard to acknowledge the steps we’ve already taken. We see the distance that remains rather than the ground we’ve covered. While it is vital to keep looking forward, it is equally important to reflect on how far we have come.
Kosovo is no exception. As I began interviewing my first participants, I noticed various perspectives on the country’s progress. Some emphasized the challenges ahead, while others spoke with pride about how much has been accomplished in such a short time. What struck me most about the quote above is its assertion that progress in Kosovo is not just something to be discussed—it is something you see, something you experience. It is woven into everyday life. It’s in the bustling streets right before Iftar, in the kids walking to school early in the morning, and in the new coffee shops opening on every corner. Too often, we think of progress as something monumental, a stark contrast between past and present. But in reality, progress is usually found in the small, steady changes that accumulate over time. What makes Kosovo’s transformation so remarkable is that it is both. It is the rebuilding of a nation from ruins, but it is also the quiet, persistent steps forward—conversations that spark change, communities that grow stronger, and a generation that refuses to be defined by the past.
As I continue gathering interviews and insights, I am also entering the creative phase of this project, considering how these stories can be brought to life visually for those who will experience the exhibition. This process is anything but linear. Each new perspective challenges my initial ideas, forcing me to rethink and refine. And I love that. I love the moment when an idea is completely scrapped because it means something better is on the horizon. Progress, after all, is not just about moving forward—it’s about being willing to adapt, to start over, and to create something stronger than before.