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By Bujar Berisha (in English)
“Pershendetje, ne jemi Miqtë e Natyrës së Kosovës.
Now I will switch to English because I emigrated to Switzerland when I was 8 years old. Even though my Albanian skills are stuck at the level of a teenager, I have never lost my connection to Kosova. After the war, my band Manesh and I were one of the first bands from abroad to play live music in Kosova and we jammed with the bands from Prishtina. These concerts were the best of my life. The young people were so hungry for concerts that an incredible atmosphere developed. And the whole youth gathered in the Hardrockers Cafe, and Dit e Nat. That’s how I got to know Dardan, Daki, Genc, Fatos, Flamur and many others. A network formed. Even our Premier Minister Albin Kurti worked as a DJ.
So I kept coming back with my band projects, like Who’s Elektra or DIE DIE BE to Kosovo. Five years ago, Lili and I started the S Festival, the Spoken Word Festival in Doberdol, where I had grown up until I was 8. That’s how I met Shpetim, with whom we recently made a song together in our recording studio in Switzerland. This recording studio is also a cultural centre with a pottery workshop, a concert venue, a festival, a photo and video studio, a restaurant and which has many several for overnight stays. It’s right in the middle of Switzerland at 1000 metres above sea level. A creative place to work, network, produce, promote, perform, hike in the Swiss mountains, ski or simply get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The experience and knowledge that Lili and I have developed with our work and our house, the Art- und Naturefriends House Brünig, we would like to share together with Sebastian and his experience as co-president of the Nauturefriends of Switzerland, with you here in Kosovo and help develop a sustainable culture, in tourism and in the arts, for the future of our children. Let’s start at with the elementary facts: In agriculture, soil is the most important resource. If we take a closer look, soil is also the most important factor in economy, and ultimately important practically everywhere. After all, the main value system on our planet is based on land ownership. And that’s where we have to start.
What is our Kosovar soil? What do the fields and roads look like? What does it look like along the roads and rivers? What is hanging and lying there that has no place in the natural cycle?
At MNK, we are in favour of preserving our nature. The more educated our population in Kosovo is, the less the country can be exploited. To achieve this, we need a centre in Prishtina and various houses, like Lili’s and mine. Places of community, education and mutual motivation to change our environment for the better and attract the right people – following the Law of attraction.
I believe that we can catch up with countries like Switzerland. And I also believe that I’m not the only one who believes that. The time has come for my generation to take the strings in our hands. After the war, I thought that the situation in Kosova would finally improve again. Now I see and understand that if my generation does nothing, nothing will change. Not because the generations before us worked badly, but because they are getting tired of the incredible work they have done. Now it’s our turn. So if you want to make a difference, add your name to our list, tell us where you think the focal points for change in our social and natural environment are. We have the courage and the joy of plucking the strings together with you and giving our national anthem some new facets!”
