There is no stopping with Majlinda. The current world champion has just proved that once again, it will take more than just hard work to defeat someone of her ranking.

© zimbio.com

Majlinda Kelmendi was quick to break her opponent, with a stellar “ippon” , thus polishing the shine on her Gold Medal within the 52kg category within the Paris Grand Slam. The Kosovan warrior finished her duel in 1 min and 30 seconds, thus disabling her opponent Jaan Sundberg of any chance or wishful thinking towards grabbing the title away. Following this success, Majlinda has reinforced her status in the first place within World Judo Ranking.

To get the adrenaline going, the following is a video of her final battle at the Paris Grand Slam.

And the medal ceremony.

The original article was posted at Illyriapress. Click here to read the original article.

Albanian priest Dominik Qerimi gathered 51,865 pine cones and created a wonderful piece of art! This piece has been recognized in the Guinness Book of Records.

It took Dominik Qerimi four years to gather 51,865 pine cones and 53 days to complete a gigantic portray of Albanian heroes Skenderbeg, Mother Theresa, and humanitarian Don Bosko. Qerimi is head of the Don Bosko center in Gjilan and received a certificate by Guinness representatives for his Mosaic of Norms, a piece 15 meters long and 7 meters tall.

On one of his Facebook posts, Qerim stated that he is not an artist but that he is simply in love with Christ. Everything he is and does is a result of an awe he has for this love.

Dominik Qerimi received the recognition for his piece of art on February 8^th, 2014 in an official ceremony in Gjilan. Even a new category was created for his piece of art: “Largest Pine Cone Mosaic.”

The original article was posted at Albinfo.ch Click here to read the original article.

Football, integration and cooperation are at the heart of this tournament, equally important is the cultural exchange between people throughout the games.

The Kosovar Diaspora has been committed to making this tournament a reality for  nine years now. “Malsia Cup” brings together a total of 60 teams of various compositions, thus making it one of the biggest in Europe, as claimed by the daily “Limmattaler Zeitung”.

Among the many spectators, this time the tournament attracted two football players of Kosovo origin that currently play within the Swiss Super-league. They are Amir Abrashi and Mërgim Brahimi, both playing for GC of Cyrih, while Abrashi plays for the Albanian national team, Brahimi plays for the U21 team of the Swiss. Both players were happy to see the degree of organization and the friendly character of the tournament.

At the beginning, the tournament used to attract only teams from the Kosovar diaspora, however with time, more and more teams of different communities started showing up. Currently, the tournament gathers teams from United Kingdom,Switzerland, Germany,France, Austria and Italy.

The tournament also attracted a news crew from Kosovo as well as the President of the Kosovar Football Association, Fadil Vokrri. ” I am here to celebrate the happening of this tournament. Who knows, I might go as far as saying there might be some potential talent here as well.” declared Vokrri for the newspaper.

The original article was posted at Albinfo.ch  Click here to read the original article.

Edison Kelmendi is breaking though in the fashion industry thanks to his charming looks. Even though he is only 22 years old, Edison Kelmendi worked for the famous and recognized designers such as Versace and Guess. Kelmendi started his career in Switzerland where he is considered to be one of the most booked male models according to Fashionpistols.ch.

© joiz.ch

Edison Kelmendi is born in Gjakova from where he moved to Switzerland when he was only a year old. Kelmendi was encouraged to apply to a model agency by his father, an amateur photographer who loved taking photos of his son. Kelmendi got his first modeling job during the Fashion Days in Zurich where he gained his first runway experience. He still gets nervous before a show and he states in the interview that he believes that you lose the sense of fun for the profession once you stop being nervous before a show.

Kelmendi’s role-model is Jon Kortajarena about whom he says: “It is amazing how much he has already achieved.”

Kelmendi has been working all around Europe and is currently in New York for the New York Fashion Week. This dedicated young model aims for New York when he thinks of how far he can go in the modeling world. He hopes to be on the cover of GQ magazine one day and would love to walk for and be photographed by the famous Karl Lagerfeld.

© fashionpistols.ch

Kelmendi talked about his friendship with the photographer Fadil Berisha for the albinfo.ch. He says: “I do not have any concrete plans with Fadil Berisha although I appreciate him very much and truly value him as a man, especially for his creativity and a great passion for photography. I would like to pose for him because we have a very good connection besides being good friends.”

Follow Edison Kelmendi’s journey through social media: https://twitter.com/EdisonKelmendi

Nazlije Aliji, an Albanian girl from Presheva valley, who is 21-year old and lives in Switzerland where she moved after her mother passed away, began taking integrating classes under the tutorage of director Thommen as soon as she joined her father in the country.

© neuland-film.ch

She stars in one of Ms. Thommen’s documentaries as one of the two protagonists. The documentary – “Neuland”, by the young director Anna Thommen, featuring Nazlije and depicting a story of an integrating class of newly arrived young foreign students, has been awarded with the Public’s Award at the 49^th Movie Festival of Solothurn.

This documentary is Ms. Thommen’s graduating thesis at the Arts School in Zurich and has already received an award prior to the one at the 49^th Movie Festival of Solothurn, the biggest and the most competitive movie festival in Switzerland.

The summary of the movie plot:

Mister Zing is a teacher whole-heartedly committed to the integration of young people in Switzerland. He teaches them and leads them step by step, preparing them for a life in a new environment.

Nazlije, a 21-year old Albanian girl who goes to Switzerland to live with her father after her mother passes away, upon arriving meets a Pakistani Ehsnaullah. Together with other immigrants, she has to learn a new language and adjust to novel cultural norms within the next two years. They find out that Switzerland is a strict country that implements rules and laws from the very beginning.

The students, who are in Mr. Zing’s class, besides the strict rules they must follow and the changes they undergo, adore their teacher. He feels to them like the only person sincerely and fully committed to help them in their adventure.

The movie “Neuland” aims to fight prejudices such as the perception of all of the new immigrants as homeless, unemployed individuals who wander purposelessly on the streets and are potential criminals. The movie opens up and addresses the real question that underlines it as well: Do these young people really have a chance in Switzerland? It is an undeniable fact that many of these people do not succeed in putting together all of the puzzle pieces needed for success.

The 49^th movie festival “Solothurner Filmtage” closed its curtains on Thursday. The festival concluded by awarding the main judges’ prize “Prix de Soleure” to the movie “L`escale” by Kaveh Baktiari which also deals with the issues of emigrants’ lives. The festival was attended by 65000 visitors.

The original article was posted at Albinfo.ch  Click here to read the original article.

Angelin Preljocaj is an international known dancer and choreographer from France, who has been performing for the ballet world since 1985. The French artist of Albanian descent has a distinguished talent for contemporary and classic ballet. His success story speaks for himself as he joined the Paris Opera Ballet company in 1990 and later established its own ballet company in 1996 in Aix-en-Provence. His work in leading and creating the Preljocaj Ballet production showed that Angelin is a successful ballet artist.

Angelin Preljocaj © Radio France – 2012 / Vincent Josse

Angelin Preljocaj was born around Paris in 1957 to Albanian parents, who fled Yugoslavia for political reasons. Angelin’s  family is originally from the small town of Berane in eastern Montenegro where a significant Albanian minority still lives there today. Angelin began studying classical ballet before turning to contemporary dance with the German dancer Karin Waehner. In 1980, he went to New York to work with Zena Rommett and Merce Cunningham. After his work with the two artists, Angelin resumed his studies in France, followed by his building of the Preljocaj Company in 1884.

Les Nuits. © JC Carbonne

Since late 1880s, Angelin was in around  50 different ballet performances including duos and solos. He also works very often with other artist such as Enki Bilal, Goran Vejvoda, Fabrice Hyber and Karl Heinz Stockhausen. “Le parc” was one of his 6 choreographies which entered in the repertory of the Paris Opera Ballet. Throughout all his successful years in ballet, The Albanian successful artist received numerous awards, including the French Legion of Honour which is the highest award for a French civilian. But Preljocaj’s biggest accomplishment has been the establishment of the Preljocaj Ballet in 1996. His choreographies are today performed in the world’s biggest ballet venues such as the New York City ballet and the Russian Bolchoï. Some of his choreographies were even performed in films and commercials like the one of Air France in 2011.

Les Nuits. © JC Carbonne

If we had to describe one special thing about the Preljocaj’s choreographies, it would be the mix of neo-classical techniques with his personal contemporary and very sensual moves. The Preljocaj Ballet performs 100 times a year with 25 different dancers through Europe. For more informations about the next performances, check out the following links attached below where you can find examples of the Albanian touch French art.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6RzKEohMzw

Other Links : http://www.preljocaj.org/index.php

Last week, the Kosovar Albanian community in Washington D.C. organized a unique event to mark Kosovo’s sixth anniversary of independence.  Guests had the chance to listen to music and poetry by Kosovar composers and authors, sample culinary specialties and wine from Kosovo, learn fun facts and take a virtual tour of the country’s beautiful landscape through a slideshow of select photographs.

Suzana Frashëri and Klodina Kabashi Morina
(Photo: F.Shala-Rothschild)

The Albanian community in Washington D.C. consists mainly of young professionals who work in various multilateral organizations such as the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, U.S. institutions as well as renowned non profit organizations and consulting firms in the American capital. This year, a group decided to put together an event that brought together over 70 Albanian, American and international professionals, including few dignitaries, for a cultural evening and networking to celebrate Kosovo’s statehood.

The event took place at the impressive house of the El-Hibri Charitable Foundation, which runs the One World Youth Project that links schools around the world and promotes global learning.  This project also collaborates with the University of Prishtina and several middle and high schools in Kosovo.  The evening kicked off with a remarkable performance by flautist Klodina Kabashi Morina, who played a piece of the Kosovar composer Rauf Dhomi.  Suzana Frashëri, a legal professional working in Washington, recited two poems by Kosovar authors Mark Krasniqi and Flora Brovina and an English translation of the poems was also shown on the screen.  The guests were later greeted virtually through a video message by the students of the middle school “Rrezor” in Malisheva, Kosovo.

One corner displayed the work of Ferka Shala Rothschild, who runs a successful photography studio and business.  The guests were treated to wine from the Kosovo winery Stone Castle and sampled the Kosovo culinary specialty flija. The event also created buzz in social media as guests were encouraged to post and tweet fun facts about Kosovo, which they received at the door.

Organizers and some of the supporters of the Celebrate Kosova event

***
Click HERE  to see more event photos taken by Ferka Rothchild and Laura Agosta.

“Kolona“ fromUjkan Hysaj, “Kthimi” from Blerta Zeqiri; “Ballkoni” from Lendita Zeqiraj and “Kulla e Sahatit” by Arzana Kraja,have been featured in Austria at an event marking the 6th year of Kosovo’s Independence. 

The Kosovo embassy in Austria had chosen movies from Kosovar producers to mark the 6th year of Independence. The audience had the chance to greet Mr. Blerim Canaj, the head of the embassy, who welcomed  audience to a cultural evening with movies from internationally acclaimed producers of Kosovar origin.

“Tonight, we have decided to present different themes, themes that explore various areas of life, social and war time and post war time events.” said Mr. Canaj in his speech.

This evening had brought together ambassadors of many countries, among which were representatives of countries that have yet not recognized Kosovo, people from civil society and Austrian state representatives.

The original article was posted at Kultplus. Click here to read the original article

The streets from New York where hip hop was born still bring new and fresh music from talented rappers. This, the person in question is Kosovar Labinot Gashi, better known as G4SHI. With an inspirational sound, flow and lyrics, the charismatic rapper commands his audience’s full attention.

In the late 90s, Labinot “Larry” G4shi moved to the United States with his family and settled down in Brooklyn, New York. He was introduced to the hip hop genre by his brother, a talented DJ. In an interview with NOA.al  G4shi says that he knew that music was a passion he would pursue as soon as he was introduced to hip hop. G4shi started off rapping on lunch tables at high school, and today he is an independent artist with several successful singles and mix tapes. He collaborated with world famous artist French Montana, has been on tour with Joe Budden and opened up a show for Wiz Kalifa.

Even though he has fans from all parts of the world, G4shi points out in the interview with NOA.al that his Albanian fans are the strongest. He adds that they have been with him from the start, and says that he is proud to be from Drencia in Kosovo, which is widely known for hip hop. G4shi frequently mentions his Albanian heritage in his lyrics, videos, tweets etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRNw8zwglok

G4shi debuted with his mix tape Last of Rare Breed in 2011. The mix tape featured hits such as Until the day i die with the famous rapper French Montana and Never coming back with Nipsey Hussle. In 2012, G4shi had his breakthrough in the hip hop scene with the song Rocket but his even bigger success came in 2013, when he released Who made me, a song about the difficulty for an upcoming artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVQeBV8BHcE

Kosovo Cultural Center in Cyrih is finally becoming a reality. The Kosovo Ministry of Diaspora has taken affirmative steps in finalizing this project, a project that shall enhance the cultural exchange between Switzerland and Kosovo. 

The cultural center has been an ongoing project, initially started by the Kosovo Government on 25th of October 2013.  The diaspora ministry has already done the necessary preparations for the center, thus appointing Mrs. Shukrije Ramadani ( a well known community activist) as acting leader of the center.

The location of the center is intended near the Kosovo Consulate, thus making it easier for the diaspora members to locate and fully take advantage of the services provided. The center has been highly anticipated by the community, knowing the high number of diaspora members that have been engaged and continue to contribute for the bettering of Kosovo. Such centers have been established in Istanbul and Washington DC with the sole purpose of promoting Kosovo’s culture abroad. The centers shall promote knowledge of language, culture and heritage, enhance scientific and economic exchange as well as attract possible investments from the diaspora community to Kosovo.

The original article was posted at Albinfo.ch Click here to read the original article

Mirela was born in Fier, Albanian and finished her undergrad studies in Electronic Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Tirana. As a young student, she participated in the student uprising of December, 1990 that brought along political changes in Albania. Today, she works as a freelance interpreter and translator. She recently published a book named “Redeemed by Christ.” It is a fictional novel inspired by the love story on how she met her husband Mike.

© siouxcityjournal

Mirela was 25 years old when she met Mike. She was working for the Soros Foundation at the time while her husband Mike worked as a U.S. Customs special agent for the United Nations Sanctions Assistance Mission which enforced the oil and weapons embargo on Serbia during its war with Bosnia in 1995. Both of them felt an immediate attachment to each other. Mike fancied Mirela’s bubbly personality while Mirela liked his muscular chest and the fact that he had a car.

Mirela dreamed of marrying Mike in her evangelical church and had her dream come true a few months after she started dating Mike. At this moment, Mike is a retired Homeland Security investigator and lives with Mirela and their three sons in Iowa.

Mirela’s book Redeemed by Christ was published this January. “It very closely follows my personal experience with love, loss, faith, second chances and ultimately, God’s redemption and salvation”, says Mirela.

Mirela saw some of the drawings her 17-year old cousin drew on Facebook and asked her to do the drawing for her book. The two-headed eagle represents the Albanian flag and the eagle from the U.S. emblem.

© siouxcityjournal

Mirela is connected to Albania through her large extended family and friends there: “It feels like home and is the setting of many of my dreams. I took my three sons to Albania in the summer of 2006 and they remember it as the best family vacation ever. They loved all the attention they got from all the aunts and uncles and still ask me often to take them back for another extended vacation.” For the future, Mirela humbly says that it is her heart’s desire “that God would turn Albanian hearts back to Him and continue to bless her beloved homeland.” She adds: “I am currently translating Redeemed by Christ into Albanian, hoping to touch a life or two with the same love and encouragement Christ gave me, despite my many failures.”

Redeemed by Christ is available through Friesen Press and as an e-book at Amazon, Google, Barnes & Noble.

The following is a quote from the abstract provided on the webpage of Mirela’s book:

“During the post-communist years that defined the early nineties, Mirela, a young, independent, strong-willed Albanian woman, is studying electronic engineering at the Polytechnic University of Tirana. In the midst of her vibrant social life and rigorous studies, as well as the shifting social and political climate, she falls in love with Teo, a medical student, and embarks on a relationship with him, which is continually waylaid by distance, circumstance, family expectations, social conventions, indecision and, eventually, the spiritual evolution and maturing of Mirela. Through the breaking of her heart by experiencing disappointment and loss, her spirit is expanded, thus launching her to new and distant horizons that she could never have foreseen.”

More details on her story may be found under: www.redeemedbychristthebook.com

Arta Kallaba is the featured Kosovar producer. Her play “Colonel Bird” will be shown on 21st of March at a stage of New York City’s “Producers Club”. Kallaba has explained how the play shall be performed by Albanian actors, however the play itself will be in English.

“The whole crew is comprised of Albanian actors whom work and live in New York. However, since the play will be premiered at an international theater, we thought it best to present it in English.” Kallaba continues to explain how she initially had second thoughts over jumping into a challenge such as New York city, however her friends and colleges had given her the necessary push to go ahead with the project.

“Colonel Bird” features actors suc has :Luan Bexheti, Roza Kalaj, Gent Basha, Roland Uruci, Besnik Shabani, Agim Rugova e Bujan Rugova, with Faton Macula being the musical producer. This is a great experience since it brought together Kallaba’s work with actors back in Kosova with Albanian American Actors.

The play portrays a mental asylum where a former drug addict manages his way to a doctors position, for ease of drug access. In turn, the play becomes interesting where other patients are examined and monitored by the deceiving doctor.

The original article was posted at Kultplus.com Click here to read the original article.

Jusuf Buxhovi’s “Kosova” was promoted this sunday at Monroe College NY. The event was organized in partnership with Albanian-American Organizations and Monroe College. This event has been only a part of the greater promotion tour that the historian has undertaken throughout North America. 

An important speaker on the event was Esad Rizai, the initiator of the actual program. He noted that “the works of this nature are of great historical value, they are set on the level of serious academic research and are backed up with important arguments, important for Albanians around the globe. Such works are a leading compass, are essential pieces of history that tell us that history is worth examining in order for a progressive future. We need to know how we came to this point and what have our past generations done for the cause.”

The original article was posted at Illyriapress. Click here to read the original article.

The moment you hear her sing she captivates you with her distinguished voice. This is Njomza, she is a singer, songwriter and performer.

© njomza.net

Njomza started singing at a young age in talent shows and eventually formed her band called ‘Scarlett’ in Chicago where she was able to play the Warp Tour. In 2012, she broke out in her solo career by signing with Mac Miller’s record label REMember music and started posting Youtube videos.  She is a native of Chicago, IL from Kosovar Albanian parents. When I asked her about her heritage she replied that she tries to best represent the Albanian community and is mindful of the support she receives from her community.

At the age of 20, she rocked her first headlining show in Chicago, IL. Her short-term future plans include her show in Texas, finishing her second project, working on music videos and touring across United States. She hopes one day she can work with Drake and looks up to artists such as Amy Winehouse and Janis Joplin.

I am certain this is just the beginning of her journey as a performer. She has the talent and determination to be a superstar. She can rest assured the Albanian community will be supporting her every step of the way.

Follow her on twitter: @NJOMZA

Check her website: Njomza

“Tuchlaube” theater will be hosting this years play festival. Gjyle Krasniqi, the co-founder and promoter is excited to talk about “Secondove” and this years theme “Tolerance”. 

Today marks the beginning of the seventh annual theater festival “Secondove” (second generation immigrants) themed “Tolerance”. Up to 15th of March, the public will have the chance to see five different plays and organized events.

Actors from over 20 different nationalities are expected to perform in plays that explore the various problems that foreigners and second generation immigrants experience in Switzerland. All five plays are nominated for the festival’s best, thus encouraging competition between casts from Aarau,Berlin/Kassel,Bochum,Versacio and Zurich. Apart from plays, the festival is intended to host lectures, workshops and debates.

The leader and co founder of the Festival is Gjyle Krasniqi from Kosova, who living for 26 years now in Switzerland has given her the inspiration and dedication to explore the nature of the diaspora and the daily challenges this community faces.

The original article was posted at Kultplus. Click here to read the original article

Dhruata Lazo, Zija Bejleri, Gjergi Bejko, and Klaidi Sahatçi are scattered throughout Germany and Switzerland, but they are unified by their passion for music. This has now translated into their profession. The four of them are recent guests of the Bernermünster Cathedral in Bern, Switzerland, one of the country’s largest concert halls.

Sahatçi: From Zurich to Scala to Zurich

“Music enthusiast Zhaklina Dhimojani-Blättler, an Albanian living in Bern, is responsible for us being here,” Sahatçi says. Prior to establishing himself in Zurich, Sahatçi had worked for the Scala Theater in Milano, Italy. “Before that, I was a prime violinist in the Chamber Orchestra of Switzerland. After having spent some time in Milano, I applied for the Tonhalle Orchestra of Zurich. There was fierce competition, but I prevailed and have returned to Zurich.”

When asked about differences between his work in Milano and Zurich, Sahatçi points out that he was performing opera music in Milano and intimate, symphonic music now. “Here, I am the prime violin and have the opportunity to play a violin made by Master Stradivari, a rare privilege for any artist.”

What is the secret to success of what can be called “The Albanian School of Music”? Klaidi was asked. His reply: “It is the passion and the sense of sacrifice that separates us from others; the internal forces that we turn into volcano when representing our country.”

Monetary returns to aid humanitarian project for kids in Albania

“The aid collected will be sent to kids in need in Himara, Albania,” states concert organizer, Dhimojani Blättler. She states that she intends to organize another similar event with classical music, with talented Albanian kids abroad.

The Bern concert that atracted a lot of art followers displayed most splendidly the qualities of 4 Albanians, each in their own instrument. Klajdi Sahatçi on violin, Dhurata Lazo-Bejleri and Gjergji Bejko on piano and Zija Beljeri with his soprano sax played pieces of world famous composers like Mozart, Beethoven, Schuber, Donizeti, Bellini etc. Albanian works were not absent in this evening; the concert is given a diversifying flavor with works of Albanian composers like A. Peçi and E. Rushiti.

This Sunday’s agenda included the promotion of the CD “Albanian Memories” with Klaidi Sahatçi and pianist Dhurata Lazo.

The original article was posted at Albinfo.ch Click here to read the original article

In 1983, a new tenor star was born in Istog, Kosovo. Ramè Lahaj is taking over opera, leaving the audience amazed and speechless by his talent. The young tenor conquers country by country with his voice and artistic skills. In 2010 Lahaj won two prestigious international competitions, the first on in Riva del Garda, Italy called “Riccardo Zandonai” and the second one “Ritorna Vincitore” in Naples, Italy. He was also awarded the award for the best singer for Neapolitan songs. Lahaj has already worked with conductors such as Gustav Kuhn and Evelino Pidò and stage directors Henning Brockhaus and Robert Dornhelm.

© ramelahaj.com

Lahaj first started his studies in Kosovo where he graduated in Computer Studies. He then decided to follow his passion for music. This journey lead him to Albania where he began his studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirana. In 2008 Ramè Lahaj graduated as the most distinguished student. One year later, Lahaj became the artistic director at the RTV21 channel in Kosovo (2009-2011) but it wasn’t until 2010 the talented tenor made his first real international debut in opera. It was at the 50th anniversary of Eutin Festival in Germany. Lahaj debuted with the role as Alfredo Germont in La Traviata. This would come to be a successful year for Lahaj as he also won two prestigious international competitions that same year.

© ramelahaj.com

The bright star is finding tremendous success in Europe, as he performs at the Hungarian State Opera in Budapest as the role of Macduff/MacBeth in 2011. He then continued his journey to Germany where he sang Alfredo at the Theater Lübeck. It was another great performance from Ramè Lahaj and the German press referred to it as “the best discovery of German opera”. The Kosovar tenor then debuted in 2012 with the role as Rodolfo in “La Bohème” at both Semperoper Dresden and at Theater Dortmund in Germany. The impact he had as Rodolfo continued as he performed the same role in France. Later on that year Ramè Lahaj decided to participate in the Puritani-production of Opéra de Lyon. This production also took place in Paris at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées.

© ramelahaj.com

In Italy Lahaj stood out when he performed the role as Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto at the Teatro Massimo di Palermo, receiving great feedback. The role as Duca di Mantova in Rigoletto and Rodolfo in La Boheme has been really successful. This year, Ramé Lahaj will continue performing the role of Alfredo in La Traviata. He will also be performing the role of Rodolfo (La Bohème) at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

In this interview Ramè Lahaj talks about his road to success: “Getting to this point has been fairly easy and this is mainly because I’m fortunate enough to have helping and supporting friends, like Saimir Pirgu (tenor), Fadil Berisha (fashion photographer or Mrs Afërdita Saraçini (Kosovar media owner). I have also been strongly and continuously supported by my family.”

The book “Traces of Albanians in Sweden” has finally been printed and published. Elhamie Zhitia,Astrit Gashi, Shuquri Sejdijaj and Muhamet Krasniqi have dedicated long working hours and devotion to an important contribution to the Kosovar and Albanian Diaspora in Sweden. 

The book is a collection of stories concerning the lives,aspirations, success, dreams, failures, struggles and nostalgia of 88 individuals sharing their life stories as Albanians in Sweden.The authors describe the book as an attempt to immortalize these emotions and struggles of the warm diaspora living in the cold Nordic state.

“Without a doubt there are countless other stories and people that should be included within the pages of this book, however, this time due to the page limitations, these are the ones we could grasp” claimed Astrit Gashi, one of the co-Authors.

This book is unique due to the fact that it is a mosaic like compilation of the diaspora. It includes original stories based on true characters whom due to different circumstances were forced to leave the homeland and emigrate to Sweden. Each and every story contains a lesson to be learned, each story is characterized by long and countless struggles that culminate with success.

Muhamet Krasniqi, another co-author claims that one book is not enough : “Even ten books are not enough, this book contains only a fraction of the population, there are countless other good examples that should be taken into account from successful Albanians living here”.

Based on the authors, the first recorded arrival of Kosovars in Sweden is around the 60s, whom through the years have achieved the estimate number of 50-6o thousands.

The original article was posted at Kultplus. Click here to read the original article

“Syte e shkruar” by Jeton Neziraj recieves a special place within the anthology of children’s stories. The anthology has gathered story writers from around the world. 

“Syte e shkruar” or in Spanish “Ojos de gato” has been translated from English by Jose Emilio Garcia. A 2011 story, this has been the first ever written story that has been transformed into a play at the Kids Theater Center. The story has been translated into English,Macedonian and Turkish.

The original article was posted at Illyriapress. Click here to read the original article.

One of the three Kosovars competing this year for Miss Switzerland is Saranda Maliqi. She is aiming for the crown and beyond. Maliqi is very interested in leading shows as well as publish her poetry. 

Saranda is eager to try the competition and claims to be very excited. This is a just another step closer to the heights of Showbiz, the career where she sees herself excel. “This is a new experience and hopefully, it will be one that will bring many in the future. People have been urging me for quite some time now to take part in the event. I think that now is the best time to challenge myself. I believe i posses the qualities that the jury is looking for.

Originally from Gjilan, Saranda is proud of her heritage and tells that is happy to have two other Kosovar Albanian girls compete alongside, Donjeta Krasniqi and Anita Shala are among other 18 girls participating on the event.

The original article was posted at KultPlus. Click here to read the original article.