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To act on an individual level and foster reconciliation, as well as to share a story of a positive example of multiethnic cooperation, the RCT team organized another storytelling event, on October 25th, in North Mitrovica.

The event was attended by more than twenty Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs who were eager to hear a story of our two storytellers from Kosovo Albanian and Kosovo Serb communities who share selfless dedication and passion to help animals in need. Even though central and local authorities and both municipal administrations in the divided city of Mitrovica are not doing enough to help and resolve this decades-long matter, the two are of them are not giving up!

Hence, the story of Vesna Generalović and Ismet Rukeci is different than any other. After witnessing the relentless killing of stray animals by unknown perpetrators, they decided to act! Along with like-minded citizens from both parts of the city, Vesna and Ismet saved dozens of stray animals and sheltered them.

The issue of stray animals on the local level in Mitrovica is affecting both of the divided parts of the city, but Vesna and Ismet are an example of interethnic cooperation and putting aside societal pressure. “I can’t recall how and when we met, but I know that love for animals brought us together. I don’t care about someone’s ethnic or religious beliefs if they love animals.

Because only a good human can love them,” Vesna said. Ismet added “Vesna and I practically became a family. Not only the two of us, but all of us who are volunteering just so we could save another animal. We are united in diversity. We are united in doing what our institutions failed to do.”

Oftentimes, individuals who are passionate about positive changes are forced to contribute to the betterment of their everyday lives on their own. Therefore, the RCT Activity is contributing to providing space for discussion of mutual issues and initiatives of various kinds.

Hence gathering through various activities such as storytelling is needed to share positive examples of multicultural cooperation and promote positive examples within Kosovo societies. More importantly through storytelling, the RCT promotes reconciliation and gives an example that crosses cultural and multiethnic cooperation is possible, regardless of political pressures and not the willingness of local and central authorities to do much concerning peacebuilding and conflict transformation.

The 22-year-old Erna Salihu runs a dance studio in Prishtina/Priština, contributes as a researcher on a book writing on positive examples of intercommunity cooperation during the war, plans the first national dance competition for children in Kosovo and participates in projects that focus on interethnic and interfaith cooperation. 

In the podcast filmed as part of Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation Activity, she spoke about the benefits of dance, and her personal contribution to cooperation between ethnic communities in Kosovo through dance and other activities. 

Over 200 people who have had the opportunity to practice ballet, Pilates, zumba and aerobics have passed through her dance studio “Joy” in recent years. Her youngest students are only 3 years old, and the studio is open to all those who need physical activity, regardless of religious, ethnic or gender identity. 

With her team, Erna is planning the first national competition in classical and contemporary dance in Kosovo. It will be organized for the youngest in November, and she hopes that the competition will become a tradition. 

She recommends dancing to everyone, stating that it is beneficial and has healing qualities for young people in development, but also for the adults who need to relax after several working hours in the offices. However, she sees a difference in the way her youngest and older students learn. Adults she says, are used to algorithms, first they learn the theory and then the sequence of movements, unlike children: 

“They’re just copying moves because kids learn by doing,” (3:32) she says, adding that that’s why kids learn faster. 

Erna had the message to everyone that engaging in dance is the same as taking care of one’s own body, and taking care of oneself – dancing releases positive emotions – she stressed. 

Erna also warned against gender-based prejudices towards types of dance, especially ballet, which, as she states, male students in her studio often resist because of the mentality, despite the fact that it is a discipline that is extremely difficult and from which a respectable career can be built. 

In addition to dancing, Erna also speaks Serbo-Croatian, which is why, as she says, she is able to be a bridge between the Serbian and Albanian communities and which allows her to work with young people from Serbian areas, mostly Gračanica/Graçanicë. 

“For example, a book is now being written with stories of Serbs and Albanians from the war about how they helped each other. The book focuses on all communities, but mostly on Serb and Albanian communities. The book will be extraordinary, I am now working on that project as a researcher and something great will come out of it, “(13:09) said Erna, expressing hope that the book will be an inspiration for the region as well. 

Erna learned Serbo-Croatian in the family, but she perfected it and uses it regularly because she had a great desire to cooperate with everyone who wants to achieve something good. 

“I really consider it lucky to be part of that community in this way.” (14:55) 

Like many young people, she met most of her friends from other communities at the activities of non-governmental or international organizations, and she reproaches her generation the most for, as she states, seeing Kosovo as a temporary place of residence. 

“We see it as a temporary country before it unites with Albania or until it unites with Serbia. Kosovo is always on hold. It is always on hold until it takes that other shape, while we don’t even try to give it the shape we want. Because we see Kosovo as a temporary place, we believe that our contribution has no value, “(19:11) explained Erna the logic of some young people, but also sent them a message that this is not the case. 

She claims, basing that on her own experience, that it is possible to positively influence at least one person, and that that individual achievement will bring results. 

“Big changes are not like earthquakes when a change happens suddenly and then it’s very bad or very good from that point onward. They happen through little things, and from those little things something great and sustainable happens later.” (20:15) 

Full conversation with Erna is on the following link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lRmLpExfuc 

Promo video of the interview is on the following link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7glFHvRI6k  

This podcast was recorded as part of Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation Activity implemented by Community Building Mitrovica and partners from New Social Initiative and Youth Initiative for Human Rights Kosovo and supported by the American people through USAID (United States Agency for International Development) in Kosovo.  

Crossing the bridge in a divided city of Mitrovica is often perceived as unusual and even risky at times. However, the opportunities for young people’s professional development don’t necessarily have to be restricted within their own communities. To promote examples of successful cooperation, the RCT team organized another storytelling event on December 01st 2021, at the Social Space for Deconstruction in South Mitrovica.  Ardita Xhemajli, a young Kosovo Albanian activist from South Mitrovica and Milica Andric Rakic, a Kosovo Serb researcher and analyst from Zubin Potok, shared their story in front of more than twenty participants from all communities living in Kosovo.

Ardita is currently working at NGO New Social Initiative (NSI), located in North Mitrovica. After decades of no contact between Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs, Ardita’s willingness and desire to work in the northern part of the city mostly inhabited by Kosovo Serbs feels inspiring and sets a positive example that multicultural cooperation brings more opportunities to all.

At first Ardita applied for an internship with New Social Initiative (NSI), but not long after she got hired and became a regular staff member as a result of her hard work and dedication. Working at a local organization where most of the staff members are Kosovo Serbs for Ardita wasn’t an obstacle, but rather an opportunity. Her previous experience at the International Business College Mitrovica(IBC-M) ,which is a multiethnic college, enabled her to meet and study with students from all over Kosovo. Thus, Ardita has always thought that cross-ethnic cooperation must be continuously fostered and enhanced.

Her perception about the northern part of the city changed once she started being more present there. “I felt at ease. I would walk around with my sister, and I didn’t have any problems speaking in the Albanian language. Once I started working at NSI I got to meet new people and get to know life in north Mitrovica.”

Milica Andrić Rakić, Ardita’s colleague and mentor from New Social Initiative (NSI), has extensive experience as an activist and contributes to democratic processes in Kosovo. She strongly believes that cross-ethnic cooperation benefits Kosovo society, particularly for young people. Her first encounter with the Kosovo Albanian community was back in 2009, and she got firsthand experience with the community living so close to her. “Our surroundings play an important part in amplifying the prejudices we might have for each other, but that changed quickly once I met and started working with my neighboring community.”

When she first met Ardita, Milica was excited to be working with her, but also to help her and guide her along the way.

Milica: “NSI is not like any other organizations around here. It is an organization open for all society, coworkers are relaxed and open to each other. Whenever someone needs help, they can always rely on someone. I liked Ardita from the very first moment I met her. I could see how much potential she has, so I have decided to reach out and help her with everything that she needs assistance with. By time, we also became very good friends”.

Positive examples like Milica and Ardita are encouraging. These examples contribute towards multi-ethnic cooperation and harmony in a multi-ethnic society, particularly in a place as strongly divided as Mitrovica. This harmony is achieved through a willingness to cooperate with others and an openness to new communities, as we could learn from this storytelling.

RCT Activity will continue to identify and promote positive reconciliation stories to inspire our communities to seek out opportunities outside of their communities and apply their skills in the best way possible and connect with neighboring but still divided communities. Make sure to follow us on social media, and our next storytelling event will host professors from IBCM college in Mitrovica.