Summary of the Week 63

The holiday- and sports-filled week behind us brought more words than action. Still, even the most modest results are enough to bring joy to someone.

Out of fear that words might hurt, softer—though not necessarily accurate—terms are sometimes chosen. Professor of Law Dušan Celic told Kosovo Online:

“I wouldn’t, as some do, call Albin Kurti’s policies a form of soft ethnic cleansing. That would be putting it far too mildly,” Celic said.

Even when harsher or more realistic words are spoken bluntly, few find comfort in them.

“Today, Kosovo has become a system of sophisticated apartheid,” historian Aleksandar Gudzic declared without hesitation.

Those whose mediation the dialogue relies on are, too, more engaged in words than deeds. This week in Brussels saw another round of talks—along with some new problems in addition to the old, unresolved ones.

“The fact is that the dialogue cannot continue where it left off. In the meantime, things on the ground have regressed several steps,” said Stefan Surlic, assistant professor at the Faculty of Political Science.

No steps forward, none backward either. For months now, Kosovo’s politicians haven’t been able to move in either direction. However, the competition in words and symbols remains relentless. What kind of message are MPs sending by placing the Albanian flag on their parliamentary desks?

“The fact that the Albanian flag is displayed in front of Kurti’s bench is both unlawful and shameful,” said

Professor Nexhmedin Spahiu to Kosovo Online.

Shameful or predictable? The appointment of the new President of the UN General Assembly and the words, positions, and actions that allegedly earned her the role were also the subject of debate this week.

Historian Vukan Markovic, however, remains unconcerned. He told Kosovo Online:

“We’re safe in terms of her incompetence.”

Networking capable individuals, exchanging creative ideas and messages, and channeling positive energy could yield results—in the economy, the arts… But there’s a condition, as economist Safet Grxhaliu reminded:

“For it to succeed, there must be some distance from politics and political interference in everything.”

A break from dark thoughts, harsh words, and heavy topics has long been found in sports. As coach Ivan Gvozdenovic said ahead of the Albania–Serbia match:

“Sport is there to bring people together.”

This week, there was a high risk of uncontrolled fan encounters. Fortunately, those fears proved to be unfounded.