Summary of the week 22

Skilled individuals have the ability to turn average content into a spectacular offer, transforming the everyday into something exotic. However, when politics strives for the exotic, there are often casualties. That's why we always cautiously transform a typical week in Kosovo into an interesting compilation.

Summer is the perfect time to select and showcase the strongest tourist attractions to visitors. Minister Sveçla demonstrated this on a personal level: when the service and coffee are good, it's worth traveling a long distance and coming back again.

At first glance, and even after deeper analysis, it’s clear that the bridge over the Ibar River is becoming not only a tourist attraction but also a political asset.

“The topic of opening the bridge is raised exclusively within the framework of the election campaign,” Milica Andric Rakic from the New Social Initiative told Kosovo Online.

The bridge is unique because it doesn’t connect people, but it’s still useful—for elections, strolls, security, coffee with friends... The bridge is obviously important to everyone in Kosovo. This is confirmed by analyst Nexhmedin Spahiu, who believes that it’s even more important to the residents of the north.

“The bridge will be a relief, especially for the citizens of the northern part of the city. However, the opening itself is most beneficial to Kurti,” says Spahiu.

While the stress test checks both the bridge and the patience of many in Europe and the world, the residents of the north are being placed under additional pressure. As of this week, they can't even access the post office.

“What we’re experiencing is terror,” said one resident of North Mitrovica who found herself in front of the sealed doors of the post office.

“If they close our schools and hospitals for a day, we’ll be done. We can just float down the Ibar and that’s it,” she added.

The plan is indeed for many to leave. Others, however, are welcome. Both as friends and as guests. This was one of the messages exchanged by the presidents of Croatia and Kosovo while they attended the Sinjska Alka, a special tourist attraction that Vjosa Osmani traveled to see. For all new journeys, however, it’s important to remember the basic rules of travel: despite the consequences, never separate yourself from your passport and luggage.

Otherwise—there’s a problem. The consequences of that incident have been discussed for days, both in Kosovo and in North Macedonia.

Milos Pavkovic, an associate at the European Policy Centre, explains: “This is a technical procedure, a technical security error. But that technical error has escalated into a diplomatic issue or scandal.”

Technical issues can cause problems, but technology is essential on any journey. For capturing evidence and memories in the form of recordings and photos, you don’t have to worry in Kosovo.

As the residents of the northern municipalities, which are already covered with cameras, say: “We feel like we’re in Big Brother. We keep looking over our shoulders. A small mistake could cost us dearly.”

It will cost even more as the tourist offerings are expanded and changed. And in the case of the announced "Adem Jashari Memorial Center," even a page of history might be altered. Adrenaline tourism seems to be particularly on the rise, as the number of such destinations—where both locals and visitors continuously fear for their safety—is growing. Access to these destinations is forbidden only to some. And sending postcards from such trips, after this week’s actions, has been made impossible for everyone.