Rita Ora: A symbol of Kosovar resilience

By: Kosovo Diaspora    November 29, 2012

Rita Ora is a symbol of Kosovar resilience. Her story of a refugee transformed into a global sensation is an inspiration not only for young women from Kosovo but from around the world, wishing to follow their calling and potential. Her path to success attests that the past does not hold back young people of Kosovo; they present one of the most vibrant societies in Europe, continuously striving to create life and success beyond the hardships that fate brought to them a decade ago.

Rita Ora of Kosovo continues to be a sensation in the United Kingdom and beyond. Her debut album, O.R.A. has reached the Nr.1 spot in the UK Official Charts in just one week from its release.  Her song How We DO (Party) remains in the Top Singles charts for several weeks.

Rita Ora is a symbol of Kosovar resilience. Her story of a Kosovar refugee transformed into a global sensation is an inspiration  not only for young women from Kosovo but from around the world, wishing to follow their calling and potential.

Rita’s family fled Kosovo during the 1999 war, to settle as refugees in the UK. Her family was among the one million Kosovar Albanians to have been expelled by the Milosevic regime. She was one year old.

For a country of 1.8 million that came out of war just a decade ago, Rita Ora is a symbol of hope and the potential that Kosovo presents to the world. Her path to success attests that the past does not hold back young people of Kosovo; they present one of the most vibrant societies in Europe, continuously striving to create life and success beyond the hardships that fate brought to them a decade ago. The openness to the world and opportunities given to the young country have yet to show results. Other former Kosovar Albanian refugees include Xherdan Shaqiri (football player of FC Bayern Munich), Melinda Ademi (American Idol Contestant), Adrian Bujupi (Germany X Factor runner up), Fatmire Bajramaj (Fifa Ballon d’Or 2010 nominee), founders of Pizza Famiglia (New York City’s biggest Pizza Chain), Fatbardhe Hetemaj (UNHCR Refugee Woman of the Year).

Rita has become a champion of young and ambitious women in Kosovo. She is a role model to many. Her success has opened the doors for many young women to seek their dreams and reach their potential in the field of music, art, science and sports.

Rita Ora has recently announced that she will return to her homeland Kosovo for a concert. She has been invited by the President of the country, Atifete Jahjaga,  as way to celebrate Kosovo and her reign in the world music. She will hold a concert for  the 100th anniversary of Independence of Albania.

Kosovars across the spectrum have been celebrating the success of Rita Ora. It can be observed across the social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, personal blogs, news media, and even politicians. In her first video dairy, before she released any of her singles, Rita said: “I moved from Kosovo. And I wish I was around my people…I think Kosovo as a nation, we are very proud of where we’re from because it is such a small place, and everyone that succeeds from there its just a big deal. So I am doing it for my family and my country, as much as I am doing it for everyone else.” [see video from minute: 1.50]

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-xlXNeZBsc

 

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Updated: Rita Ora released her single “Shine Ya Light” filmed in her birthplace Prishtina, Kosovo.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH182aLsVig?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360]

By Behar Xharra for the KosovoDiaspora.org  blog