The other side

By Alessia Ulfe

When I started thinking about peace lab, my mind was focused on the many meetings, appointments and visits these 10 days included. For me, the most important thing was understanding this wonderful and sometimes chaotic nation. In the now 5 days we have been here I feel as if we have seen it all. We saw Mitrovica, we saw the Roma community and Pristina. Yet as I remember how Anne used to say in class that we would feel at home in Pristina and she was one thousand percent correct. It is hard to explain to someone outside this trip how much these days have changed us, and how Amsterdam feels like a far away memory.

Yet outside the multiple meetings, appointments and visit we have had the chance to visit the city and enjoy the many wonders it offers at nighttime. After getting a free evening on Saturday, and the chance to have dinner wherever we wanted, we had the opportunity to share Iftar with Bardha and her family. Her mom treated us to a lovely homemade flia dinner which was delicious and incredibly filling. Having the chance to break the fast with our host family meant a lot to all of us since the chances we had to share time together have been few and this felt like being welcome into their lives. 

Sharing Iftar

On Saturday, after the dinner, we finished getting ready and went to Lulu’s coffee and wine to watch one of Chiara’s friend perform. Since we live in a very central area, we arrived quite early and found a comfortable spot on the terrace whilst sharing a drink or two (and sometimes even three) with each other. Little by little people started arriving and the music started. Vala’s voice resonated throughout all the areas of the cafe and as a group, the energy was being lifted. Inside the establishment, people were dancing to the live music and having a very good time. 

ZoneClub night #1

Since it was Chiara’s birthday at midnight, we decided to celebrate in style by going to one of the best clubs in Pristina. Located nearby the airport, Club Zone has an inside and outside area as well as many, many square meters. Unlike yesterday, we arrived fashionably late and went to our ‘spot’ right below the DJ. As per our understanding of the Pristina club culture, dancing is not the usual fashion at the club. The night before we had gone to the same club in a lovely cab ride, where our driver was so determined to make sure we had a good time, he bought a CD of Kosovar rap in order to make sure we enjoyed it. Yet after all the amazing energy in the taxi, the club was something different since people were just standing around their tables not really dancing, while we were giving it our all. 

However, after coming in a group of easily 15 people we were ready to have a celebration. Maybe Chiara’s birthday was an excuse, maybe we just need to not think for a while, maybe all the feelings that have been accumulated over the past few days have overreached their limit but these past two nights have been a breath of fresh air for all of us. We let our hair and inhibitions down (partially thanks to the €3 gin and tonics) but the music and the people and our dancing to music in languages we don't understand yet feel in our hearts have been an essential part of the process. Being in a group and having altogether gone through the process of the week of classes, the meeting and now the going out have helped us see a completely different side of Kosovo. A side of Kosovo for which we can relate without having a dark cloud hanging over our heads plagued with more questions than we had when we began this journey back in November. By going out and especially tonight with the ever lovely Enver, we have released the stress and emotions we have been carrying for the past days and even at the cafe, you could see the relief in people’s faces and the sound of laughter that will forever be engraved in this trip.