“Despite the current challenges and relations between Kosovo and Serbia, the festival ‘Mirëdita, dobar dan!’ continues to remain one of the few platforms that offers space for promotion of cultural exchange, as well as dialogue on issues and themes that are not otherwise discussed. We understand that there are deeply rooted political and historical issues that continue to create divisions between our societies, but we strongly believe that cultural exchange and cooperation can be a powerful tool for promoting reconciliation and building a peaceful future. Through the ‘Mirëdita, dobar dan!’ festival, we aim to create a sustainable tradition of cooperation between Kosovo and Serbian society, and invite everyone to join us in this ongoing effort,” said Kushtrim Koliqi from the organization Integra in Kosovo.
This year’s edition of the Festival will open with a screening of Radivoje Andrić’s multiple award-winning film “How I Learned to Fly,” which brings us a gentle story about growing up and forgiveness. The Prishtina audience will have the opportunity to be introduced to the female Romani band “Pretty Loud,” who, through their songs in Romani, Serbian, and English, sing about stereotypes, social justice, and race, but also about their challenges, hopes, and dreams. Poets Mirjana Narandžić and Đorđe Simić will have the opportunity to talk about their poetic work and their collections and read their poems in the form of a poetry evening.
“We had a difficult year behind us when we talk about cooperation and dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, therefore, this year’s festival is one of the few bright spots of exchange and conversation. We continue to bring young people and cultural workers closer together through culture, art and conversations. Every relationship we build in this way is crucial for the future we all dream of, which unfortunately seems further away. However, all the complexity of the relationship between Serbia and Kosovo is just one more reason for all those who have room in their hearts and minds for the experiences and stories of the “other” to continue to work on creating new relationships and improving exchanges at all levels,” said Sofija Todorović from Youth Initiatives for Human Rights in Serbia.
As in previous years, during the festival, we will discuss important topics for Kosovo and Serbia through the promotion of the book “The Other Serbia: Srđa Popović” by Shkelzen Gashi and the debate “The Other Heritage,” the debate “Freedom of Movement in the Region: The Time is Now,” and the promotion of the book “The Moment I Knew War Started” and a conversation with the authors of the book.
The last day of the festival will close with Ivor Martinić’s theater play “It would be a shame if the plants died” and a closing party with DJ Flip from Belgrade.
The aim of the festival “Mirëdita dobar dan!” is the presentation of the Serbian artistic and cultural scene in Pristina, as well as the cultural scene of Kosovo in Serbia, through meetings of artists, exchange of ideas, discussions about the future of relations between the two societies, as well as also the creation of a tradition of cooperation between the citizens of Kosovo and Serbia.
The inspiration for “Mirëdita, dobar dan!” festival is Bekim Fehmiu, a renowned Albanian, Kosovar, Belgradian, Yugoslavian and global actor who is a symbol of unity but also represents the possibility of joining two cultural spaces into a unified whole.
Entrance to all festival events are free.
Details about all program-related events can be found on our website.
The “Mirëdita, dobar dan!” festival is organized by Integra, Youth Initiative for Human Rights (Serbia), and the Civic Initiatives (Serbia), with support from the European Union, Western Balkans Fund, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport of the Republic of Kosovo and Rockefeller Brothers Fund.
