It’s been two decades since the Përtej (Beyond) exhibition of Kosovar artists was held in 1997 in Belgrade. Now, a book looking into the nature and forms of cultural cooperation between the independent cultural spheres of Kosovo and Serbia over the past 20 years is being launched.
Called “Case Study Përtej,” it offers a chronology of the main political events affecting both countries, a cultural chronology of the different collaborations that have taken place between the two states’ independent culture and art worlds, and excerpts from interviews with some key figures.
Now, we want to further the discussion, to ask whether such collaborations have contributed toward a shift in the general discourse in both societies. Can such a claim be made? Which issues have been in focus for artists? Have cultural events been able to go beyond discussions of the political relationship between the two countries? Should they?
To help get the conversation started, we have invited:
- Shkëlzen Maliqi, philosopher, art critic and curator of Përtej ‘97
- Borka Pavicevic, dramatist, cultural activist, and director of CZKD
- Aleksandar Pavlovic, Serbian-Albanian relations scholar and researcher
- Jeton Neziraj, playwright and director of Qendra Multimedia
- Lura Limani, chief editor of Prishtina Insight
The discussion will be moderated by our own chief editor Besa Luci and photographer Majlinda Hoxha. Come join us on Thursday 17:30, June 28 at the “Multimedia” Center. Drinks on us to get you started!
Translation in English and Albanian will be provided.
The publication “Case Study Përtej” is part of the project “Përtej/Beyond/Preko 20 Years,” a cooperation between Kosovo 2.0 and the Center for Cultural Decontamination (CZKD). The publication has been supported by Kosovo Foundation for Open Society (KFOS), within the project framework of the EU Delegation – EU/IPA (Support for civil society), and the Embassy of Switzerland in Belgrade. The discussion is supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).K
Feature image: Majlinda Hoxha / K2.0.
