Avramovic: Cultural cooperation among young people is not in dispute, but the festival "Miredita, dobar dan" obscures problems of Serbs in Kosovo

Cultural sociologist Zoran Avramovic tells Kosovo Online that culture and art are always welcome and that they represent the best form of communication among nations, which sometimes serves to expand cooperation, however, he says that it can also serve to conceal underlying issues, and in the case of the "Miredita, dobar dan" festival, the underlying issue being obscured is the situation in Kosovo, where Serbs face daily threats.

"The primary intention of this festival is easily overlooked. Essentially, it is meant to act as a cover for what has happened in Kosovo. A cultural event is supposed to push aside the political and national issues affecting Serbs in Kosovo. On the surface, they want to present something related to culture, art, and cooperation, but in my opinion, this festival aims to obscure and suppress the problems that Serbs have in Kosovo. This, to me, is a concealed function of the festival. On the other hand, we can certainly advocate for cultural cooperation among youth in principle. That is not disputed," Avramovic said.

Under different circumstances, Avramovic noted, cultural cooperation among youth is welcome, but every era has its specificities and characteristics.

"A few years ago, perhaps in a different atmosphere, it could have fulfilled its artistic, cultural, or cooperative function. However, in these times, when there is persecution and a kind of terror against Serbs in the Kosovo province, especially in the northern part, it is somehow not desirable and does not contribute to cooperation. On the contrary, I think it hinders it. If you have, on one hand, the banning of a theatrical performance in Kosovo, what justifies that ban? There is no justification. It is purely an artistic communication. Yet, you seek to hold something similar here. This kind of reciprocity is not always good, but sometimes you simply have to respond in that way," Avramovic explained.

Regarding the timing of the festival, originally scheduled to include events on June 28, Vidovdan, our interlocutor believes that the choice of date was entirely wrong.

"Whether intentional or not, if we judge events by their consequences, we can conclude that this is indeed a kind of provocation because Vidovdan is a Serbian holiday and no one should interfere with it. On this day, Serbs commemorate their sacrifice for freedom since 1389, so it is absolutely wrong to associate it with this Serbian-Albanian event, which is still burdened by significant scars," said Avramovic, who considers postponing the festival a desirable scenario.

He also says that the results of this festival, which has been held for ten years, are questionable.

"Has anything been achieved or not? What I would particularly highlight is the organizational background. Who participates in organizing this event? These are primarily Western centers of power or Western financiers. I don't know exactly who they might be, but it is certain that they are involved. These are institutions and organizations from NATO countries that are most responsible for the current status of Kosovo and the relations between Serbs and Albanians. I believe this festival is supported by the Kosovo authorities and that they also have an interest in using culture to hide their political actions. The third side of this organizational triangle is a sector of ill-intentioned Serbs, Serbian actors, so-called non-governmental organizations, who are also not well-disposed towards Serbs and favor Albanians. When you see this triangle, you cannot have peace of mind and soul, nor can you have a peaceful look into the future," Avramovic concluded.

After several negative reactions from the Serbian government regarding the planned events within the festival on Vidovdan, the organizers from the Youth Initiative for Human Rights announced yesterday that the programs scheduled for June 28 would be moved to June 27 and 29 "for security reasons," although they do not believe that holding part of the program on Vidovdan would offend anyone's feelings.