Five Diaspora Highlights of 2014
By: Rilind Latifi January 5, 2015
2014 was a successful year for the Kosovo and Albanian diaspora across the world. Representatives of diaspora were noted for their accomplishments in various fields including sports, music, arts and business. We have compiled here only five highlights to remember 2014 and welcome 2015. This list is by no means exhaustive as it includes only some of the many successes of our diaspora.
1. Majlinda is the Best Judoka in World!
Majlinda Kelmendi, the record-smashing judoka from Kosovo, was announced as the best judoka in the world for 2014 by the International Judo Federation. She is World and European champion in judo in the 52 kg category. The 23-year old Majlinda has become the hope of her country for the Rio Olympics in 2016 after Kosovo gained full membership in the International Olympic Committee last December. We wish her all the best as she keeps winning gold!
2. Rita Ora Performed in Washington at President Obama’s Christmas concert
Rita made us all proud with her flawless voice and looks at the President Obama’s concert in Washington. See the video below:
3. Xherdan Shaqiri scored a hat trick at the World Cup
Xherdan scored three goals in a single match for Switzerland against Honduras during the World Cup held last summer in Brazil. The Swiss national team depended in large part on the other Albanian players as well: Valon Behrami, Granit Xhaka, Blerim Xhemajli, Admir Mehmeti and Pajtim Kasami.
4. Shkodran Mustafi and Germany won the World Cup
Shkodran Mustafi became the first Albanian to play for a winning team at the World Cup!
5. Shkëlzen Doli performed at the Vienna Philharmonic concert
The cherry on the cake was a wonderful performance of Albanian music at the Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s concert by Shkëlzen Doli, who was born in Albania and raised in Kosovo.
Last but not least, here’s a remake in Pristina of the 2014 hit “Happy”:
Rilind Latifi
Rilind Latifi is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and holds an MA in International Economics and Energy/Environment Studies. Rilind has studied in the United States, Italy, and Germany. He was a fellow at the German Parliament (Bundestag) in Berlin and worked on various development projects in Kosovo. An avid traveler, Rilind is a contributing blogger for Kosovo Diaspora.
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