The EU requests that the "Mirëdita, dobar dan" festival not be politicized

2024-06-20 20:06:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The EU requests that the "Mirëdita, dobar dan" festival not be

Young people from Serbia participate in the "Mirëdita, dobar dan" festival in Pristina, Kosovo, May 2023.

European Union (EU) officials believe politicians should not politicize festivals that promote cultural exchanges between countries, such as the "Mirëdita, dobar dan" festival, after calls from certain officials in Belgrade for its cancellation.

"It is important to refrain from inflammatory language and politicization of what is essentially a cultural initiative of civil society organizations that want to promote intercultural and interpersonal exchanges. Such exchanges are an important part of the normalization of relations between Kosovo and Serbia and this event must be held," EU spokesman Peter Stano told Radio Free Europe.

Certain officials in Belgrade have requested the cancellation of this festival, despite the fact that this event aims to create a platform for cooperation and dialogue between the citizens of Serbia and Kosovo.

"Organizers must be able to work in a safe environment and all citizens who want to enjoy the festival must do so in accordance with their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," Stano said.

Calls to cancel or postpone the festival are being made because the three-day event coincides with Vidovdan.

This religious and national holiday is celebrated on June 28 in memory of the Battle of Kosovo, when the Serbian and Turkish armies clashed in 1389. The Minister of Internal Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, initially called on the organizers to consider postponing the festival. and then also for its cancellation, because Vidovdani is also marked during these days.

The Acting Mayor of Belgrade, Aleksandar Shapiq, said that until he is in charge of the Serbian capital, he will not give any kind of consent to the holding of the festival, despite the fact that this event aims to create a platform for cooperation and dialogue. between citizens of Serbia and Kosovo.

Although he appreciates that the festival is a "laudable initiative" of civil society that contributes to building bridges between the people of Kosovo and Serbia through cultural activities, Stano asks the organizers to think about the implications that certain dates have in holding this festival .

"We note that the organizers show flexibility in fixing the date of the festival in order to avoid possible misunderstandings and ensure that the participants feel comfortable to join the cultural events, keeping in mind the sensitivity regarding the specific date," said Wait.

"Mirëdita, dobar dan" is held once a year, alternately in Pristina and Belgrade, in order to bring the Serbian cultural scene closer to Kosovo and vice versa, to present the contemporary cultural and artistic scene of Kosovo to the public from Serbia.

This year it will be held in Belgrade from June 27 to 29.

The event is organized by non-governmental organizations - Youth Initiative for Human Rights, Civic Initiatives from Serbia and Integra from Kosovo.

Since its establishment in 2014, this cultural event in Belgrade has been accompanied by protests from right-wing organizations and parties in an attempt to prevent it from taking place.

Now such invitations come from the highest official addresses./REL