After a slow morning on Saturday 17 June, when a few got the chance to rest after the busy last few days, and others savored the chance to sleep if only for a few hours after enjoying the night life of Kosovo, we made our way to the governmental building. Formal attire (no jeans) was required.
A lunch quickly devoured, and it was go time. 13:30 was very anxiously awaited after strategic talks concerning our host of the day. Indeed, today was special: we had a meeting with Albin Kurti, Kosovo’s Prime Minister since 2021.
As imagined, the process is very intimidating. Bags checked (just like at the airport) as well as confiscation of our passports. When entering the conference room the realization it us: little AUC students have the chance to meet and converse with Kosovo’s Prime Minister. The tensions and excitement were high. It all seemed very official.
We were very lucky to talk with the Prime Minister for almost an hour, and we were lucky to ask questions that we were all very impatient to get the answers to.
Truthfully, I was the first to break the ice… The first question asked. So it is with great stress that I pressed the microphone button and spoke a few words to our host. It was with a lot of “fake it ‘til you make it” that I managed to ask my question.
A few words of excitement were expressed after the meeting, as we had to run all the way back to our home for the next few days: another adventure awaited us, and the too formal, too uncomfortable attire had to be changed. So, we made each other a silent promise to get back to the very awaited conversation: HOW WAS THE MEETING WITH KURTI??!
Of course, once at the meeting point waiting for our bus, we had the chance t0 discuss it all. With a few heartwarming words from Anne expressing to us how proud of us she was.
It was an incredible opportunity to compare the different narratives, to listen to the different perspectives. To better comprehend the reality of Kosovars and how individuals experience it.
Already another new adventure awaited us: our first steps in a Serbian Community in Gračanica. We first visited a beautiful monastery from 1321. A wonderful guide welcomed us, ready to share the story of the special place.
Fun fact: 1kg of lapis lazuli pigment used to be worth 1kg of gold. (Isn’t that crazy?)
Sadly, no pictures could be taken inside of the monastery (but if you are curious, it is an excuse to go visit the beautiful place). The Serbian Orthodox Monastery Gračanica has been designated a world heritage site by UNESCO. The frescos tell the story of the Bible as a way to teach those who could not read. The art, still incredibly beautiful and well conserved took our breath away. Its actual presence on the walls after all the centuries can only be explained by “God knows” as highlighted by our guide.
The nun-kept monastery was magnificent.
We were later guided to the next part of the adventure of the day: A place for the Kosovar Serbs who went missing because of the war in 1998-1999. It is a place where some of our tears were shed. A place of broken hearts. A place full of love. A tribute to the missing ones. A place for them to be remembered. A place where melancholy seemed to reside. A place to somehow process the disappearing of the loved ones.
We spent some time, in silence, paying our respects to all of those pictures on the giant letters: MISSING. With a lot of silent prayers sent to the loved ones left behind, still looking for answers.
I desperately tried to remember all of their faces. To engrave them inside of my head. So that they are never forgotten.
It is with teary eyes and heavy hearts that we made our way to the restaurant of the day. A moment where we all gather around a meal and share about everything and nothing. A very awaited time of the day. We sat down at this gigantic table (it had to fit 25 people!!) that I can only describe as atypical and rustic.
As imagined, the food was very traditional, with much meat. The meal was very convivial, as we all shared the delicacies as to be certain to try it ALL. Long, exciting conversations about our lives, our very interesting (but emotionally exhausting) day, helped us get to know each other even better. The 7pm dinners are always a great way to reconnect and talk to those we have not really had the chance to properly talk to before. It was the perfect end to our intense Saturday.
I believe we must have been a nightmare for the waiters: 25 different orders, (many with special requests). We were still warmly received. The waiters were also very happy to answer our many questions relating to our group projects. We left the restaurant, promising to come back a few days later, to talk with one of the waiters, who was happy to share about his people and his culture.
After a long bus ride, some of us met in the common room of our hostel, laughing and writing our blog entries.
Excited for the rest of the adventures awaiting us.
Reflecting while writing my blog has highlighted how privileged I felt to meet Kosovo’s Prime Minister. In truth, I believe I experienced some imposter syndrome, not comprehending how I am in Kosovo, meeting all these incredible individuals, all with interesting stories, while just being an IR student from a small country. How did I even get here? I feel very privileged to experience this all.
Anne explained that it will be difficult to explain and really describe this trip to the others back home, who will often simply ask, “how was the weather?”, as if an experience like this could be summarized that easily. As if answering those four words would manage to define the reality of what we lived, experienced. I have given a lot of thought to how I would describe Peace Lab Kosovo to others and I believe one word is in order: intense. Intense emotionally with all the things we see, the things we learn, the conversations with the people. Intense physically. Intense socially. All of it, positively intense.
Bref, à bientôt.
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