Monthly Archives: January 2014

Albanian Folklore on Turkish Screen

Mimoza Elezi might not be famous in Albania or Kosovo, however she is quickly becoming a recognizable face among the Albanian speaking diaspora in Turkey. Her latest show brings refreshing material to its audience, mainly bringing Albanian folk songs. Her aspirations however do not end with the show, she seeks to soon open up an Albanian language school in Turkey thus making her a big contributor towards preserving the culture. 

Ever since her arrival in Turkey, Mimoza has been actively engaged in Turkish tv shows and movies. Mimoza did not stop with acting, she aspired to do more and this time she brought along the folklore and culture she so strongly identifies with. After her initial success with acting, she started a musical show where the majority of the songs presented are Albanian folk songs and epics.

In the following video one can see Mimoza present a North Albanian folk song and midst switch to speaking Albanian to properly greet her Albanian audience.

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

Two Kosovars Feature in German Movie

Two Kosovars Feature in German Movie

Bekim Guri and Kasem Hoxha are featured in the recent movie premier of “Nicht Mein Tag” throughout German movie theaters. “Nicht Mein Tag” or “Not My Day” has certainly made Kasem Hoxha’s day better when he realized that the character he was asked to play was by the name of Sokol, an Albanian in Germany, thus he had felt an instant connection with the character. “While reading the script, I found myself many times finding similar thought patterns with Sokol. (An unlikely match up, Sokol is a fictional character meant to portray a gangster with rather good traits such as courage and honesty.) He (Sokol) is a man of “Besa”, he keeps his word. However, through his hardships, Sokol is pushed into changing himself to respond unfair treatment” claims Mr. Hoxha for Deutsche Welle

“Acting Sokol, fortunately, came around very naturally. Sokol is not your typical gangster, his personality carries both sides of the coin, the good and the bad.” continues Hoxha.

Such collaborations with high caliber producers are essential to an actors career and thus, Kasem Hoxha is greatly appreciative of the opportunity to collaborate with Peter Torwarth and Axel Stein. Hoxha claims that the natural improvisations throughout the shoot have brought him closer to the cast and the character of Sokol as well.

Another upcoming gem that is expected to explore the Albanian diaspora in Germany is the movie “Golden” by the producer Bujar Alimani, where Kasem Hoxha will also star as a leading actor.

Such movies are essential at giving an insight within the diaspora community living abroad where often taboo topics and clash of ideals are brought into play to further enhance the discourse of identity creation and cultural assimilation.

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

The child prodigy, a possible Da Vinci among us?

Uliks Ajeti is a typical twelve year old, however what makes him not so common are his passion for painting and sculpting. At first glimpse, the images he presents seem to be stolen taken right out of the studios of great artists such as Rafaelo,Mikelangelo or Da Vinci. However they are not, such names might just be his insipiration but the drawings and sculptures are all done by the hands of the 12 year old Uliks. 

Without a doubt, Uliks has a bright and up and coming career ahead with a promising future.

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

Berlin School to soon be named after Refik Veseli

A Berlin based elementary school will soon be named after an Albanian idealist. Starting from this semester, the doors will carry the label of Mr. Refik Veseli, a dedicated hero and activist, who bravely saved members of a Jewish family throughout the second world war.

As a 17 year old, Refik Veseli found the courage to give shelter to a Jewish family from Yugoslavia which had fled to Albania. Veseli had kept in touch with the family long after the war, thus , today him and many other citizens of Albanian origin are honored with the “Just Human” title from the Hebrew organisations that promote and preserve holocaust remembrance.

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

The cosmopolitan engineer

Visar Krelani, a Ph.D. candidate at the University Politecnico of Milan was born and raised in Gjakova, a city in Kosovo well-known for its cultural heritage.

Krelani, a graduate of the University of Prishtina’s Faculty of Civil Engineering, decided to study abroad to bring and implement the new methods, innovations and tools of standard and modern engineering in Kosovo. He was awarded a scholarship to pursue his graduate studies at the University of Perugia, Italy–the home of architecture and civil engineering.

Once he arrived in Italy, Krelani was not allowed to enroll immediately in a Masters program because his credits from the University of Prishtina were not recognized in Italy. He had to repeat the majority of his exams, but he graduated just two days after the announcement of the independence of Kosovo, giving him double reason to celebrate.

Krelani’s thesis in Italy redefined an old idea of projecting and calculating the Subway (underpass) between the area of Qyteza Pejton and the Central Building of KEK in Prishtina. This project was implemented later by the Municipality of Prishtina with some changes, but Krelani found satisfaction in having his academic vision implemented in reality, a small but significant contribution to his country.

Krelani says that his main motivation is the catholic priest from Terni, Don Sandro Sciaboletta, who initiated the project of cooperation between the University of Perugia and Kosovo, granting talented students of Kosovo with this unique opportunity to study in Italy. Don Sandro  always told the students to study hard and return to Kosovo to work for the development and reconstruction of their state. Recalling student life at the University of Prishtina, Krelani finds the main difference between the University of Prishtina and the University of Perugia to be the structure of their educational systems: the former is based in theory while the latter more in practice, team work and applied research.

Krelani completed his degree from the University of Perugia and is now a Ph.D. candidate there for Seismic and Geotechnical Structure. His research interests include studying concrete’s innate ability to self-mend and self-heal cracks. 

As a part of his studies in Italy, Krelani also served as a visiting scholar for three months at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro through the European program “Encore.” This experience provided not only the possibility to build a bridge between the University of Rio and Politecnico, but also between Brazil and Kosovo.

Krelani says, “Once I came back to Italy, a fellow from Brazil came to Italy as [an] exchange [student] and we [were] both were invit[ed to] Kosovo’s University of Business and Technology (UBT) to deliver a lecture related to the newest research in concrete.” He also represented the Politecnico of Milano in the International Conference in Gent, Belgium, discussing his work with self-healing materials. Krelani looks forward to eventually applying these new methods regarding the elaboration of concrete in Kosovo.

Krelani is optimistic for a bright future of young people like himself in Kosovo. He appeals to the universities to be more open, responsible and serious in the recruitment of academic staff and to take advantage of the young scholars who have been studying abroad as resources and assets toward the improvement of Kosovo.

A New Contract for Samir Ramizi

Earlier this week, Swiss second-division team FC Wohlen announced they signed on 22-year-old Samir Ramizi. The young, Kosovo-born, forward has played for Étoile Carouge FC and Servette FC, but he will now spend the next two years playing for FC Wohlen.

Sami Ramizi was born in Kosovo in 1991 and left at the age of 20 to play for the Swiss team, FC Stade Nyonnais. After a few months, he transferred to Servette FC. In 2013, he played for Étoile Carouge FC on a loan twice, before being officially offered a contract from FC Wohlen.

Currently, FC Wohlen is placed last in the Swiss second division, also known as the Challenge League. They likely hope Ramizi will help improve their rankings in the upcoming season. Winter break for the league will end on February 1st , with FC Wohlen’s match against FC Locarno.

Eno Peci: first dancing soloist in Vienna’s state opera

The famous Albanian ballet dancer, Eno Peci, gave a stellar performance during New Year’s Eve in the Vienna State Opera. Between his performances in Vienna shows as a solo artist and being a father to his lovely daughter, Eno depicts the true spirit of an everyday artist.
Eno was born and grew up in Tirana, Albania. At age of 13, Eno decided to learn how to dance and started his first dancing steps at Tirana’s dancing academy. Although Eno’s initial goal was to become a rapper, he decided to take another path on his career and spent four years taking dancing lessons at the ballet bar.
In 1998, Eno moved to Vienna and continued his dance training at a ballet school. Michael Birkmeyer, former solo dancer and chairman, saw Eno’s talent and started Eno dancing career in Vienna’s state opera. Eno enjoys playing funny roles in ballet but welcomes the role of villains as well. The diversity among different roles is thrilling for this young talent.
In 2000, Peci joined the Vienna Opera Theatre and in 2003 he was engaged as a soloist. Below is a video trailer to ‘Herzblume’, choreographed by Eno Peci.

Support Kosovo for the Eurovision Song Contest

Support Besim Ramadani in his petition:

“International Telecommunications Union, EBU and UN: Accept Kosovo into the UN and Allow Kosovo to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.”

The Eurovision Song Contest began in 1956 and has continued as an annual song competition between participating countries. Participating countries must be members of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) to be eligible to compete.

Besim writes “The people of Kosovo want to be in the Eurovision Song Contest. Please hear them and accept them as they are!”

So far 140 people have signed the petition. Join them and support Kosovo! Do not forget to share with your friends and family. Sharing is caring! As one of the supporters that signed the petition wrote “Because we should be one…Music has no borders.”

To sign the petition/more information click Here.