A year ago (April 2008) I travelled to then 2-month-old Kosovo to try to get a first impression of the fledgling nation. It was a quick visit – and I only visited Pristina.
In October the same year, an article of mine was published in Travelmag UK. I received numerous e-mails following this, many very interesting. Some (Americans mostly) were surprised – and pleased – to read about the US’ popularity in Kosovo. Others were less pleased at my commenting that some Eastern Europeans actually miss the good old days. How dare I suggest there are people who might want a return to socialism or even communism?
Others again, many from countries behind the former iron curtain, agree that there is indeed a longing for the past. In Germany they have a well-known expression for this: Ostalgie – “nostalgia for the east”. In the former Yugoslavia, they have a similar term, Yugo-nostalgia. It seems freedom is a term with many definitions.
In 1999, Slobodan Milosevic launched an ethnic cleansing campaign. At least 2000 were killed and thousands more missing. As a response to the persecution of Kosovo-Albanians, NATO bombed targets in Serbia and Kosovo in March the same year.
10 years later, Kosovo is celebrating its first anniversary as an independent nation. Is there cause for celebration? Well, there’s widespread poverty, continued high unemployment, a high level of corruption and a highly divided society with hostile relations between Serbs and Kosovo-Albanians. But at least security seems to be under control; the number of KFOR-soldiers gradually dwindling. The EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX), established to assist Kosovo’s authorities, is operational (although enjoying a varying degree of local support).
So far, 58 UN member states have formally recognized the new republic; 13 more are about to. Although 22 EU-countries are among the 58, some – most notably Greece – have not, thus rendering future membership difficult for little Kosovo. However, like Serbia, it is a potential candidate country. Serbia and Kosovo together in a future EU: what a poignant reminder of the futility of the Balkan wars!
Despite its traumatic recent past, I found Pristina to be a cheerful city. Lots of people outdoors on a Saturday afternoon, laughing and playing; a feeling of optimism in the air. I’ll be interested to see what the future holds for Kosovo.
For more detailed impressions, see my article Quickly into Kosovo at Travelmag UK.
This is a very interesting article Sophie and one that can be debated for hours. My husband is Russian and if you speak to him about the life in Russia before Capitalism took over you will realize some important things that cannot be disputed: Everybody had jobs, everybody had equal and family and friends played a very important role in your life. I am not advocating communism or socialism for that matter but he does make an interesting observation.
Lovely blog you have here and I am adding you to my Blogroll!
@Nelieta – Thanks! And yes, capitalism certainly has two sides, both worthy of attention.