Minister Gashi: Kosovo Pavilion in Venice, a successful presentation of the state of Kosovo

Today in Venice, Italy has launched the 16th edition of the Venice Biennale International Architecture Exhibition where officially Kosovo has opened its Pavilion "The City Is Everywhere", curator Eliza Hoxha, and Jehona Shyti, commissioner from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Kujtim Gashi officially opened the Pavilion of the Republic of Kosovo at the Venice Biennale for 2018.

In his opening speech, Minister Gashi said that the Presence of Kosovo in one of the most important events of the world's art culture, such as the Venice Biennale, is extremely important for our state and society.

"The Republic of Kosovo, even though a small country, with its presence on the international cultural and artistic scene in recent years has given the best example of success in making cultural diplomacy. Since Kosovo has continuously produced news for the successes of our artists everywhere in the world, this has helped to strengthen the subjectivity of our state and to create a good image for Kosovo", said the minister.

Further Minister Gashi thanked all those who have contributed to the opening of the Pavilion of Kosovo, especially Jehona Shyti the commissioner and curator Eliza Hoxha for the idea and realization of the Kosovo Pavilion.

"For me as Minister of Culture, it has been a great honor to be the first decision-maker for Kosovo's participation in the 16th Architecture Exhibition at the Venice Biennale in 2018, following my nonsense absence in the previous year ", said Minister Gashi.

"In the framework of the general theme of the Venice Biennial for 2018" FREESPACE, Eliza has chosen to introduce Kosovo to the confession for the 1990s. A confession that is very unique in the sense of the mobilization and collective survival of Kosovo Albanians in the 1990s, which is so important to share with others in the global context", the minister explained, adding that he believes that the time has come, as in the local context, because we have not spoken, we have not written and we have not yet officially memorized many of the events and themes that have influenced the country's formation of Kosovo over the years.

"This is especially important for new generations to know their country and their efforts for freedom and independence. I am very happy that except that our story in front of the world at the Venice Biennale gives an insight into our collective resistance, this initiative within us will open the door to other stories of these years that contributed to the state of Kosovo's construction ", said Minister for the end in his speech when he also announced the opening of the Kosovo Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, which will remain open until 25 November.

Present at this opening were the President of the Assembly of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Behxhet Pacolli, Minister of Environment and Spatial Placement, Albena Reshitaj, artists, many local and international architects.

The Chairman of the Assembly of Kosovo, Kadri Veseli welcomed the opening of the Kosovo Pavilion, commenting on the installation of the mirrors at the Kosovo Pavilion and said, "The artist Eliza Hoxha managed to carry an infinitude of hopes and space, and at the same time the opportunities and ambitions we have in as a nation. Kosovo is moving forward. Kosovo is no longer limited". The latter referred to the restriction that Kosovo Albanians experienced during the '90s.

Kosovo Pavilion curator Eliza Hoxha stressed that the Kosovo Pavilion is a home that has incorporated public functions by compensating the city. Those years show solidarity, mobilization, and collective activism in the dream of Kosovo as a free space.

While the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Behgjet Pacolli, in his address said that, "We are a creative people. We have passed the war and when you see Kosovo, you can hardly notice the damage from the past. This is because we have a dynamic youth who work, have fantasy and are creative".

Moreover, the Pavilion of Kosovo was honored by the presence of the President of the Venice Biennale, Paolo Barrata.