I never went to the city of Mitrovica when I was in Kosovo last summer. Mitrovica is a divided city and considered the most unstable city in Kosovo due to tentions between Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs. The northern part of the city is inhabited by Serbs while the southern part of the city is inhabited by Albanians. It was an interesting day…
Discovering Kosovo July 3rd 2010: Destination Mitrovica – via Adem Jashari’s memorial in the village of Prekaz (Drenica region).
I went with my friend Ivan from the US and my friend Ardian (in picture) who comes from Kosovo.
I visited Adem Jashari’s memorial. Adem Jashari, born 1955 in the village in Prekaz in the Drenica region of Kosovo is considered to be one of the most prominent people of the Kosovo Liberation Army, active between 1996 and 1999. Adem and his brother participated in attacks against the Serb forces. The Yugoslav authorities regarded the KLA as a terrorist group.
Adem Jashari and his family, in total about 60 people, were killed in March 1998 by Yugoslav security forces when they attacked his home in the village of Prekaz. A ring of troops were formed around the house to prevent any family members from escaping. Yugoslav forces attacked the house by firing mortars and later also tear gas. Eighteen women and ten children under the age of 16 were killed.
Adem Jashari’s houses. Since they were almost completely destroyed in the attacks, extra roofs have been built to protect the buildings.
The KSF (Kosovo Security Force) is guarding the graves of Adem Jashari and his family.
Ardian took this photo of a family visiting the Adem Jashari memorial. The man in the family had been permanently injured in the Kosovo war and walked with a stick. He brought his family to the memorial site to tell the children the story of Adem Jashari.
An old tree outside the house – full of bullet holes.
A statue of Adem Jashari located outside the house.
Burned wood and bullet holes in the house.
The sun shines through the destroyed ceiling onto an Albanian flag.
Inside Adem Jashari’s house – bullet holes everywhere.
A hole in the wall caused by a shooting tank.
After the Serbs had killed the family, they put the house on fire.
The yellow lamps symbolize the 58 people that were killed in the attack. On the hill to the right is an old Yugoslavian military base. The Serbian military marched down the hill and attacked the houses.
My friend Ardian.
Beautiful landscape in the Drenica region.
This is a so called “kulla”. Kulla means “tower” in Albanian. Traditionally, kullas were built by wealthy Kosovo Albanian families.
Inside the kulla… Adem Jashari’s photo to the far left.
Inside the kulla near the village of Prekaz.
View from the kulla.
Inside the kulla, Ardian showed me an extra security mechanism to keep strangers away. I don’t remember the Albanian name for it.
Entering Mitrovica – the divided city. Mitrovica is divided by the river Ibar into an Albanian part and one Serbian part.
Young boys in Mitrovica. These flags would never be up if this would have been the Serbian side. Everything on the Serbian side is in kyrillic and only Serbian flags can be seen.
Police officers and a young woman in the Albanian side of Mitrovica.
The day before our visit there was an explosion on the Serbian side, killing one and injuring about a dozen and KFOR was still concerned with the situation so we didn’t walk over to the Serbian side.
French military guarding the bridge over the Ibar river in Mitrovica.
The river Ibar, photographed from the Albanian side of the city. The other side is Serbian.
Serbian flag painted on the other side of the river… NATO-led KFOR (Kosovo Force) are guarding the bridge.
Greek KFOR guarding the bridge.
An old “Yugo” car in Mitrovica.
Renovated train station in Vushtrri. Yes, some trains run in Kosovo :)
“Kosovo Harley”, Vushtrri. These “vehicles” are often used in the country side by farmers.
Crossroads in Kosovo…
Returning in the evening to Prishtina… the mandatory traffic jam to get into the city. :) In the car in front of us are probably Kosovo Serbs (minority, only 6% of the current population in Kosovo). The car is probably insured in Belgrade in Serbia. “PR” stands for “Priština”, the Serbian spelling of the city. This type of car license plates were banned in Kosovo in 1999 but are still used by Serbs living in Kosovo.
Photos: Courtesy Anna Wiman and Ardian Gashi.
Exkursion to Theranda region village and Prizren, third biggest city of Kosovo
A friend of mine invited me to his house the other day. He lives in a village between the cities of Prizren and Theranda in southern Kosovo. I had passed by this beautiful region where he lives several times by car but never really visited it. Travelling with locals is always the best way to travel a country in my opinion. The Albanians are amazing with guests and open both their houses and arms wide open. Like with almost everything in this world, keeping an open mind and having a nice attitude gets you far. :)
We travelled to my friend’s house this weekend, on July 4th. In Theranda, one could see American flags along the main street to congratulate America on its independence day.
Photo taken on the road from Prishtina to Theranda. Simply beautiful.
My friends lives in a quiet little village in the country side. His family is currently building a new house. We drove there with my car… The little brother asked if he could wash my car for me… too sweet!
My dear friend Ardian to the left and his childhood friend Faton.
Ardian’s mother prepared a delicious lunch for us.
The white cheese was made by Ardi’s grandma and most vegetables came directly from the family garden. I loved how everything was homemade. I still dream about that cheese…
The family has a beautiful garden outside their home. This excellent photo is taken by Ardian’s cousin Adratik (yes, his name comes from the Adriatic Sea). :)
Berries in the garden. Adriatik also took this one.
Ardi’s mother prepared Turkish tea for us.
This is the primary school in Ardi’s village. The playground to the left was a gift from the Austrian KFOR (Kosovo Force) last year. The school has the same name as the Albanian hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu.
Ardian’s little brother Arianit in the car.
We went to a café by a swimming pool in a village called Mushtisht.
It was slightly humid so my hair curled up even more.
Faton. This photo is taken by Adriatik. Great portrait.
The mountain area south of Theranda and Ardi’s village is called “Sharr”. The sharr white cheese is very famous in Kosovo.
Faton and Adriatik in the car on our way to Prizren for an evening walk. Prizren is the third biggest city in Kosovo with a strong Turkish minority. I’ve been there several times – it’s a really nice city.
I love making portraits, especially when you snap that special expression.
Evening in Prizren. Ardian took most photos. I was busy exploring. :)
On one of the bridges crossing the river in Prizren.
We decided to walk up the hill to the old castle above Prizren.
Half way up… already a really nice view!
Prizren from above.
Three young people with a beautiful view behind them.
Little brother and big brother in Prizren, Kosovo.
Prizren from above. Absolutely gorgeous.
Faton pointed and said:
…the road in these mountains leads to Brezovica. Brezovica is a nice place to ski in the winter time.
Photo by Ardian. I really like this one.
Couldn’t get enough of the view and the evening sun!
And then curiousity takes over eventually… “What’s down there?” My friends said “Kujdes, Anna!”. Haha, that means “Watch out!” in Albanian. Photo taken by Ardian.
We were being silly and established diplomatic relations between Sweden and Kosovo on top of castle hill that evening.
Prizren has an Albanian majority but also a strong Turkish community. This is an old Serbian Orthodox church on the hill above Prizren. 6% of the population are Kosovo Serbs.