Prishtina, November 15, 2024
Last night, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, attended the opening night of the “Prishtina Jazz Festival,” a jazz music festival held every year in Pristina that attracts musicians from different countries worldwide.
During his address to the attendees, Prime Minister Kurti expressed that it is a distinct privilege to be present and to uphold the tradition of the most democratic genre in music in Kosovo.
As he spoke about the history of Jazz, he singled out the pioneers and contributors of this genre in Kosovo.
In Kosovo, starting in the 1960s, jazz elements started to be interpreted by artists like Abdurrahman Shala and other famous singers, and this genre began to develop significantly over the coming decades, owing to our pioneers like Sheki Hoxha and the avant-garde first generation of jazz musicians in Kosovo. Subsequently, the intensity of jazz in Kosovo grew after the war, particularly in the first decade, thanks to the contribution of Jazz Fest Prishtina, which has now become a defining feature of music in our country.
Prime Minister Kurti called on all citizens to join these exceptional five days, where they will have the chance to meet artists from Kosovo and beyond, engage in educational activities, including workshops provided by the festival.
Meanwhile, to the entire team that makes this festival possible by creating a special space for the jazz experience and bringing people together through music, the Prime Minister expressed heartfelt congratulations and sincere thanks.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:
Thank you, Alban,
Honorable Director of the “Prishtina Jazz Fest”, Armend Xhaferi,
Honorable musicians,
Honorable art enthusiasts and attendees,
I am honored to be here with you this evening and to carry on the tradition of the most democratic music genre in Kosovo, which is Jazz Fest Prishtina. This year it comes fiercely with a fantastic edition, bringing vibrancy and quality of musical expression during five days filled with performances and activities.
Jazz, as we all know, emerged in New Orleans and then grew beyond American limits, thanks to pioneers like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, who introduced a fresh spirit to this genre. When you expand beyond your birthplace, you never remain unchanged. In the 1960s, figures such as John Coltrane, Nina Simone, and Charles Mingus utilized jazz to also promote civil rights and peace within the state. During the 1970s and 1980s, artists such as Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock merged it with rock and funk, transforming jazz into a global emblem of artistic creativity and cultural ties.
Even in Kosovo, starting in the 1960s, jazz elements started to be interpreted by artists like Abdurrahman Shala and other famous singers, and this genre began to develop significantly over the coming decades, owing to our pioneers like Sheki Hoxha and the avant-garde first generation of jazz musicians in Kosovo. Subsequently, the intensity of jazz in Kosovo grew after the war, particularly in the first decade, thanks to the contribution of Jazz Fest Prishtina, which has now become a defining feature of music in our country.
In these Jazz Fest editions, I believe we should underscore an important point: why do we perform music and what makes improvisation so significant? Jazz improvisation teaches us not to be too comfortable, or perhaps to try to be comfortable with discomfort, because comfort takes us away from true listening. Listening is essential for any healthy cooperation, both in music and in politics.
The participation of the Prishtina Jazz Orchestra on the first day of the festival is a testament to the importance of jazz, both for our culture and society. Thanks to the remarkable efforts of the director and the jazz community, this festival has contributed to spiritual upliftment and social interaction, and thus, such cultural events and phenomena will receive support from the Republic of Kosovo.
I encourage all citizens, both in Prishtina and beyond, to participate in these remarkable five days, where they will have the chance to meet artists from Kosovo and other countries, and engage in educational activities, such as workshops offered by the festival. To the entire team that makes this festival possible, creating a special space for the jazz experience and bringing people together through music, heartfelt congratulations and sincere thanks.
Having experienced another day of jazz in politics, I think I’ve deserved a jazz night with music this evening.
May you have an enjoyable listening and experience.
Last modified: November 19, 2024