Prishtina, 21 July 2022
Kosovo has entered a very positive and constructive period of our cultural and artistic history.
Today we are witnessing an unprecedented manifestation of the cultural spirit of the people of Kosovo, said the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, at the reception organized by the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the United Nations Development Organization (UNDP) and the “Manifesta 14 Prishtina” Foundation on the occasion of the opening of the “Manifesta 14 Prishtina” biennial.
Prime Minister Kurti said that this week with Manifesta, we will witness our extraordinary connections with Europe through culture, as we embark on an epic cultural journey of 100 days with Manifesta’s nomadic biennial.
To make the Manifesta possible, the Government of Kosovo, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the local government, have joined with all the diplomatic actors, including the amazing cooperation with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
The Prime Minister thanked the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the help regarding the “Manifesta 14 Prishtina” and for the continuous financial contribution to education, health and the democratization of society.
He congratulated all the organizers of “Manifesta 14 Prishtina” for their great work and dedication, and wished for an excellent biennial and 100 fruitful days of artistic life.
Full speech of Prime Minister Kurti:
Dear guests,
Honourable Minister for Development and Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg,
Dear Ambassadors,
Dear organizers of the Manifesta,
Dear members of the Assembly, Ministers of the Government
Dear Mayor of Prishtina,
Dear professionals and artists from Kosovo and from all over the world,
Kosovo has entered a very positive and constructive period of our cultural and artistic history.
Today we are witnessing an unprecedented manifestation of the cultural spirit of the people of Kosovo.
Kosovo, in the heart of the Balkans, young population, ancient people, a crossroads between continents, has historically been a host and a place of artistic conversation. It has given us an extremely rich cultural heritage.
Today, Kosovo counts more than 103 cultural festivals, with numerous individuals and organizations that contribute to culture and a growing young population that cannot get enough of consuming all kinds of culture.
Our cultural landscape, and especially its very receptive public, are the perfect example of how much our people love to share their country and values with others.
It is an example of how communication in democracy pushed forward human connections.
This week we will witness our extraordinary connections with Europe through culture, as we embark on an epic cultural journey of 100 days with Manifesta’s nomadic biennial.
To make the Manifesta possible, the Government of Kosovo, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the local government, have joined with all the diplomatic actors, including the amazing cooperation with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Today, my deputy Besnik Bislimi, and his Excellency, Minister Franz Fayot, signed two memorandums of understanding between the governments of the Republic of Kosovo and Luxembourg.
There will be four main areas in which we will cooperate intensively in the next three years: education and professional training, health, sustainable and inclusive growth, and the strengthening of Kosovo’s civil society.
The financial contribution of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the implementation of this project and programs in the period 2023-2025 amounts to EUR 35 million.
Those of you who live in Prishtina have probably noticed that my deputy very often signs the agreements in the morning, so that I can celebrate in the evening.
I have a very interesting relationship with my deputy, a relationship that I particularly value.
Relations between Kosovo and Luxembourg grow every year and now our interstate cooperation takes a new important step.
In these times when European values are being tested, we can show how strong we are when we stand together.
With our close cooperation in culture, we show that our European spirit is unbreakable, it is a complete and powerful relation as we bring together capacities, institutions and communities.
The Government of Kosovo and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports strongly support the activities and cultural community of Kosovo. We will continue to support cultural and artistic activities and work tirelessly to create the right infrastructure for unleashing the full potential that our cultural and artistic landscape needs to shine at home and abroad.
We greatly appreciate the incredible work of the Manifesta team to help us with this task.
To the first initiator Yll Rugova, the director of Manifesta, Mrs Hedwig Fijen, the board of Manifesta and the whole team – thank you for the unparalleled level of work to date in Kosovo.
With its arrival in Kosovo, Manifesta this year has expanded its boundaries as an organization and as a biennial. Admitting that I am a bit biased, I believe this Manifesta will be the best we have ever seen.
So, not only do I congratulate you for all your hard work and dedication, but I want to take this opportunity to appeal to each of you to use this opportunity to further expand our connections and relationships with each other, as moments like this do not happen often.
I wish you a great biennale and 100 fruitful days of artistic life.
Thank you very much.
Last modified: July 23, 2022