(Andrea
Saula)
Hello and welcome to UNMiK on AIR with Sputnik Kilambi and
David Balham.
Building bridges in Kosovo is not an easy job, but some
still try. Alem is the name of a Prizren based Bosnian language magazine. With
more than 100 issues published to date, Alem says editor in chief Nadira Avdic
Vllasi, has a precise aim - to rebuild bridges.
Nadira Avdic Vllasi: Our aim was to be a kind of
bridge between ethnic groups in Kosovo, because Bosniaks weren’t involved in
the conflict with Albanians and their language is similar to Serbian. That
could help create a more tolerant atmosphere here in Kosovo. Sometimes I say
that Alem is just like Kosovos bridges. It is very hard to go further.
An independent magazine, Alem is mainly geared to
Kosovo’s Bosniac community, their way of life and the problems they face. But
insists Nadira, the focus is as much on examples of common life in Kosovo. A
great number of topics are about relations with the Albanian community, but
other minorities, such as Goranis, Turks and Romas also get substantial
coverage. One more aspect makes Alem
unique – it is almost the only publication that has been distributed Kosovo
widely.
Nadira Avdic Vllasi: Our idea was to create a Kosovo-wide newspaper because
Bosniaks don’t just live in Prizren. They also live in Pec, Mitrovica and there
are also some in Prishtina. Our aim was to create a weekly that everybody who
understands “our language” could read. We didn’t want to be seen as a Bosniak
only newspaper, we wanted to cover other ethnic groups and other environments.
Alem’s editorial office is in Prizren, but part of the
newsroom activities take place in Pristina. 15 to 20 correspondents from inside
and outside of Kosovo, from Podgorica, Novi Pazar, Sarajevo, Pec, Mitrovica,
work with Alem.
Part of the project to promote the Bosniak identity and
cultural heritage also involves organizing round tables, discussions and
presentations of books. The compilation
of Gorani folk literature has been one achievement. Alem also has to its credit the first Albanian-Bosnian handbook.
Called “First step”, the handbook represents the first and indispensable step
to real integration, says Mustafa Balje, Alem’s deputy editor in chief.
Mustafa Balje: There is a great need to know
the Albanian language. Because of past circumstances, the majority of our
people had had no opportunity to learn Albanian. We are trying to solve that
problem now. “First step” an Albanian –
Bosnian handbook is suitable for all kind of readers, even for school kids.
A contest for the best short story was organized to
celebrate the 100th issue of Alem. The results, says Mustafa, proves
that Alem can be a kind of bridge.
Mustafa Balje: It was a pleasure to bring
together writers from different places. That in itself was a confirmation that
Alem can be a bridge between different ethnic groups. We had stories written by
members of other ethnic communities. I think that we are making conditions for
better mutual understanding.
Alem’s achievements need to be recognized by the international community, says Nadira Avdic Vllasi, after all building bridges is what UNMIK is committed to.
Nadira Avdic Vllasi: We are surprised by the
international community. They are saying all the time about how important it is
for minorities to be informed, but very little interest has been shown towards
the Bosniaks. We are finding solutions by ourselves.
Support from the international community would be a shot in
the arm for Alem, whose publishers are resolved to continue. The next step,
they say, is the opening of a radio station.
So good luck to Alem – we’ll keep you posted of further
developments.
That brings us to the end of this edition of UNMIK ON AIR.
Thanks for listening.