Citizens of North Mitrovica on recent events: This isn’t culture – it is all politics

The recently held jazz festival on the Mitrovica promenade, organized by Albanians from South Mitrovica, sparked mixed reactions among residents of North Mitrovica. Although the event was presented as cultural, many see it as a political message rather than a genuine attempt to connect communities. Additional unease among Serbs was caused by a 3x3 basketball tournament organized by the Municipality of North Mitrovica – without a single Serbian participant.

Residents of North Mitrovica told Kosovo Online that festivals should not automatically be rejected, but there is suspicion about the intentions behind such events.

“Festivals should be organized, but we all know here that it carries another meaning. Is it really a festival or is there another agenda? Such social events should be accepted in a nice way, but care must be taken that this ‘nice way’ doesn’t lead to something unpleasant,” one resident said.

She doubts that Serbs would be allowed to organize something similar, because, as she puts it, they are seen as a nuisance.

“Maybe it should be tried and then we’ll see. Of course, with caution, we all know how things are here. There’s no hidden game. It’s very hard, but it should be tried – maybe it will be accepted. We’re seen as a nuisance, and that’s it. I was once thrown out of my house with a baby in my arms. I know how hard it is. Hopefully no one else has to go through that. All this should somehow be resolved in a positive way, but how – that requires smart people who know how to do it. Ordinary people aren’t to blame,” she added.

An Albanian from South Mitrovica, encountered walking in the north, stressed that music and culture should bother no one, but that everyone should have equal opportunities.

“Music is everywhere, music is beautiful, it shouldn’t disturb anyone, but everyone should have their rights to sing, to dance, for children to walk freely, and for everything to be open,” he said.

He added that people in Mitrovica have always lived together and that attention should be focused on daily life rather than political decisions.

“Of course, we are here together. We lived here, we were born here, and what politicians do up there doesn’t interest me at all,” he concluded.

His fellow citizen, a Serb from the northern part of the city, was more blunt in his assessment of recent events.

“None of this is good for us, it is just provocations. They won’t allow Serbs to do the same,” he said confidently.

One woman from Mitrovica believes that events like festivals can have cultural value, but the recent one did not feel that way.

“For us, it seemed more like a provocation than a cultural event, if we look at it from the perspective of our lives. Yes, it is culture, but we need time to accept some new cultures. It would truly be nice to have something cultural happening, to rise a bit from this stagnation, to feel a breath of culture. It really would be nice,” she said.

One of the most prominent local musicians, Petar Rakic, expressed dissatisfaction with the jazz festival, noting the absence of well-known musicians from Mitrovica.

“I don’t know what kind of festival this is. I know that when there was a festival, world-famous names came. This, I have no idea what it is – a political festival,” Rakic said briefly.