By now, I think I’m on version eight of this blog post. Every time I sit down to write, the words never seem quite right to capture my time in Pristina so far. How do I decide what’s important to share and what isn’t? I’ve been here just over three weeks. At first, everything felt significant—the way I set up my room, discovering my go-to coffee shops, and refining my very limited Albanian skills. But now, those details feel significantly less important. As I dive deeper into my project, I’m learning more about the inner workings of this growing country. I’m listening to people’s stories, documenting monumental national events, and immersing myself in local history books and renowned Albanian novels. The more I learn, the more I realize just how deep this story runs—and I can’t help but worry that I won’t have enough time to experience and share everything I want to with you all.
February 9th marked Kosovo’s parliamentary election day—a monumental event for any democratic nation. It’s a day when citizens take control of their country’s future, deciding what they want for the next four years. For some, it brings feelings of hope, determination, and optimism. For others, it stirs discouragement, frustration, or even fear. Having gone through this process in my own country just a few months ago, I was eager to learn how it unfolds here in Kosovo. What stood out to me was that, despite election day being on the 9th, as I write this on the 24th, a winner has yet to be announced. In Kosovo, a party must secure over 50% of the assembly to form a government. With the current Prime Minister’s party holding only 40.83%, they must form a coalition with another party to reach a majority—otherwise, a stalemate could force the country into a revote. Right now, the government is in limbo, and uncertainty hangs over the people of Kosovo.
A little over a week later, on February 17th, Kosovo celebrated its 17th Independence Day—a day filled with national pride and celebration that echoed through the streets of Pristina. The occasion was marked by a display of military strength and cultural appreciation, with folk music concerts and patriotic gatherings bringing people together. What stood out to me most, however, were the many flags raised in honor of this milestone. The Kosovo flag was not the only one soaring through the air; alongside it flew the American flag, the Albanian flag, and the UÇK flag. Each flag served as a tribute—not just to the nation’s independence, but to the sacrifices that made it possible, sacrifices that still feel fresh in the memories of many.
As I’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, my greatest fear for this project is simplification. The deeper I dive into my research, the more I realize how interconnected everything is—and the harder it becomes to decide which aspects to highlight in my exhibition. How do I focus on specific issues when they are all so intrinsically linked?Every time I learn about one thing, I leave with even more questions. My desire to understand keeps growing, so for now, I’m taking it slow—allowing myself the space to pause, ask questions, and explore different facets of this intricate nation. I believe this approach will help me present a more holistic and meaningful story to my audience back home.
