How many countries are there in Europe? The answer varies depending on many factors, including (but not limited to) geopolitical points of view (are Turkey and Russia in Europe or in Asia? Both?) and differing views into what constitutes a country (is the United Kingdom a country or a political entity made of 4 different countries?).
However, there is a single country whose sole existence has divided the nations of the world into two opposing camps: those who recognize it as such and those who don’t. Said country is Kosovo, Europe’s newest country and here’s the complete story behind it.
Are you ready for what is the most controversial topic of the Balkans? I hope you are.
Prizren, a place like no other in the world
Yugoslavia, the Balkans and the political chaos of the 90’s
The fall of the Soviet Union is a turning point in the history of modern Europe since it caused the fall of its many satellite states, one of which was Yugoslavia. Soon, each province of the former Soviet Republic of Yugoslavia began to declare their independence and tried to claim as much territory as possible.
It was the beginning of the Yugoslav Wars (1991-1999), one of the bloodiest chapters of European history. Alliances soon were made based on cultural and ethnic ties as well as common enemies. Eventually, brothers turned against brothers and chaos ensued in the Balkan region.
To this day, the wounds of the Yugoslav Wars still can be felt in the Balkans.
The streets of Pristina, Kosovo
Kosovo, a province within the Soviet Republic Yugoslavia, declared itself as an independent state in 1990 with the support of the newly-formed Albania. However, Serbia wasn’t going to allow Kosovo to break away from its grasp since even though modern day Kosovo is more than 90% Albanian in origin, the region itself has a great historical value to Serbia.
You see, the Battle of Kosovo (1389) is one of the most celebrated battles of the Serbs against the Ottoman invaders and it wasn’t until more recent times (1940’s) that the Serbs of the region of Kosovo got expelled by Albanian forces who allied themselves with the Axis powers.
By 1998 the situation reached a boiling point when the Kosovo Liberation Army began attacking Serbian forces and so the last of the Yugoslav Wars started: The Kosovo War.
Art in Pristina, Kosovo
The Kosovo War: A Newborn Nation
A wise man once said that in war there can never be winners and I fully agree with that statement. I won’t go into details about the atrocities committed during the Kosovo War by all sides involved but you are free to Google them if you want to have nightmares tonight.
Long story short, the NATO forces led by the United States of America decided to intervene in favor of Kosovo and bombed Serbia and Montenegro. Today, you can find a huge monument to Bill Clinton in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo and you will be glad to know that Kosovo is one of the few European nations that REALLY loves American visitors.
Isn’t this monument a sight for sore eyes?
Bill Clinton, National Hero of Kosovo?
After the war, Kosovo became part of an overly complicated political situation when it was under the protection of the United Nations and so it remained for almost a decade until the year 2008 when Kosovo was officially recognized as an independent nation by 108 countries in the world. Of course, Serbia hasn’t recognized it yet (and let’s be honest, it probably never will).
In the same year, the Newborn monument was erected in Pristina, a symbol of the national identity of Kosovo and a tribute to those who died in the long struggle for independence and self-determination. Each day, young Kosovans pose in front of it to take a photo and they smile for a brighter future.
If you ever visit Kosovo, I encourage you to do the same.
Newborn sign in Kosovo
My experience visiting Kosovo
Without fully agreeing with neither Serbia nor Kosovo, I can fully understand and empathize with both points of views. However, my role as a world traveler is not to judge or to get myself involved in political issues of the countries I visit. After all, I visit places and people, not governments.
And talking about people, Kosovans are among the kindest ones I have ever met during my travels. “Your money is no good here. Only locals pay. For you it’s free my friend” the restaurant owner told me after I tried to pay my bill.
I guess it’s true that the less you have, the more you are open to give.
Street art in Prizren, Kosovo
Kosovo is a country that is in constant change and even though I had only planned to stay there for a couple of days, I ended up staying one entire week. Stay tuned for next week’s article about Kosovo’s capital in which I’ll talk about the elephant in the room: Is Kosovo dangerous?
Until next time and I hope you had enjoyed this small introduction to the complexity of the Balkans. Have you ever been to the region? Would you like to? What was your experience in Kosovo like? Share your thoughts and let me know that you think!
The quirky architecture of Pristina
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