Sun02052012

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Culture and Sports

Super700 band thrills Prishtina

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ImageIn the framework of cultural manifestation of "German Weeks in Kosovo",  the pop/rock music band from Berlin, Super700, organized a concert in Prishtina that electrified the audience with hits such as "Revolution", "I love you", "Lovebites", etc.

Hailing from Berlin, Super700 are a seven-piece band featuring three vocalists (who are sisters) and four instrumentalists who play engaging but imaginative pop/rock that's literate and willing to nudge the boundaries of contemporary pop. Super700 were formed by German-Kosovar Ibadet Ramadani who writes the group's lyrics, and Michael Haves, the group's bassist who composes most of the music.

After an hour and a half performing live, the group "Super700" brought in a Berlin atmosphere in the Prishtina capital. The concert, which was held Saturday evening at the "Oda" theater, was organized within the cultural manifestation of "German Weeks". The Kosovar-German group performed some songs from the Kosovo group called "The Freelancers". The group also performed songs such as "Revolution", "Somebody tried to steal my car", "Fortune Teller", "Tango", "I love you", "Lovebites".

After the concert, the group vocalist, Ibadet Ramadani, said she felt really special to have performed before the audience in Kosovo. "The public was wonderful, I saw many enthusiastics and experienced something that I have not felt before. It was something really special and I felt like I was at home," said Ramadani. Furthermore, she added that after the concert in Kosovo, "Super700" will be performing in other cities. "Once we leave Kosovo, we will perform in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Zagreb, Croatia, and China," she announced. The group's bassist, Michael Haves, said that the performance in Kosovo was a totally different experience from what was expected. "In Germany, newspapers present Kosovo as a rather unsafe place, but when I came here I saw that was completely otherwise. The audience has been very warm and welcoming. In other concerts, we usually had to wait til the audience warmed up, but here the people listened carefully and danced to our songs. This is the best that could happen in a concert, " said Haves.

The mostly young audience expressed satisfaction with the performance group. Albulena Gashi, 23-year-old, has long expected for the group to perform in Prishtina. "For me, it was a pleasure to listen to Ibadet Ramadani last year at the "Jazz Festival" in Prishtina. I could barely wait for her band to come perform here again and I was not dissapointed. The singing is very special and it has made this evening pleasurable," Gashi said. 25-year-old Lulzim Gashi, another concert participant, has said that young people need to go to Prishtina to familiarize themselves with music groups such as "Super700".

Idabet also sings lead, and her sisters Ilirjana Ramadani and Albana Ramadani lend harmonies, while guitarist Johannes Hall, keyboard player Simon Rauterberg, and percussionist Sebastian Schmidt round out the group's lineup. The album, simply called Super700, was released in Europe in the spring of 2006, and a few months later Super700's music was heard in the movie French for Beginners after filmmaker Christian Ditter became a fan of their work. In the spring of 2007, the band made its American debut with a handful of dates in California, including a live broadcast on the influential radio program Morning Becomes Eclectic.

Kosovo: Home to the first ever Albanian college, opened in 1584

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ImageThe traditional cultural and historical manifestation Dom Mikeli Meetings, was held last Saturday in Stubëll të Epërme of Viti, in a pleasant atmosphere, where people of many cultures attended to commemorate the first ever Albanian college opened in 1584 in Kosovo and its great teacher and intellectual, Dom Mikel Tarabolluzi.

The Mayor of Viti, Nexhmedin Arifi, the host of Dom Mikeli Meetings, has said that the achievements of many intellectuals at the time of the Ottoman Empire conquest, and as well as the opening of the first ever Albanian college in Stubëll in 1584, were important steps toward liberation, freedom, and progress began.
 
"The inference of our intellectuals throughout history, and their contribution to freedom, is very important," said Arifi, by also adding that scientific discussions at these meetings can be a good contribution.

On one of the topics at the meetings, "Literature and identity", scientific works were presented by Prof. Dr. Luljeta Isaku, and Literary Works critic, Ramadan Musliu. The scientific works presented by Prof. Dr. Isaku were devided into two parts; Synonymous identity and identity in Literature. She has pointed that based on scientific evidence, nationality is associated with language, blood, and geographical entirety of a people.
 
 

Two gold medals for Kosovo boxers in Sarajevo

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ImageThe Republic of Kosovo boxing representatives participated for the 7th time in the international boxing tournament "Mustafa Hajrulahovic-Talijan" which was held in Sarajevo over the weekend, winning two golden medals and marking the highest results in the tournament.

In the international tournament participated Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. Despite of the facing of strong competition, Kosovo boxing representative won two medals and a cup, marking as one of the greatest successes of this year in the boxing matches.

In the Semifinales, Kosovar Boxer Liridon Zeqiri (52kg) beat Croatian counterpart Jure Pllanicic. Zeqiri showed a perfect technique by not allowing to be challenged by his rival. While Mahmut Gorda (60kg) decimated the boxer from Bosnia, Mario Aleksic.

In the final fight met two most prominent boxers of the tournament, Kosovo's Liridon Zeqiri and Bosnia and Herzegovina's Jasmin Rizvic. The atmosphere of the fight electrified the public and fans as Zeriqi triumphed.

Meanwhile, Mahmut Gorda (60kg) easily knocked out his FYR of Macedonia's counterpart, Serhan Mehmedov. Professional jury in the end awarded Liridon Zeqiri for the best boxing techniques and rewarded him with a cup.

Kosovo's national representation coach, Shefki Bogujevci was pleased with the results. "My boxer has shown its values. We proved that we are better and the whole effort and investment paid off," said Bogujevci. This was a major test before the One Boxing Champions League which starts on October 22-23 in Giora, Hungary.

The road to promoting cultural heritage in Kosovo

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ImageIn a 30-mile distance,dozens of cyclists, including those who love to run, started a marathon to promote cultural heritage, starting from the town of Junik to Hoçë të Madhe of Rahovec.

The purpose of this tournament, according to the organizers of the event, is to promote cultural heritage through a pure environment. A Swedish organization, Cultural Heritage without Borders (CHwB), has used this tour to promote values created from past year's cultural events in the Republic of Kosovo.

CHwB has been engaged in capacity development in the heritage sector in Kosovo since 2001, in close cooperation with the Kosovo Ministry of Culture, in order to support their policy for the protection of the Kosovo heritage. The overall objectives have been to achieve a more professional management of the heritage in Kosovo in accordance with international standards,
and to strengthen the heritage institutions.

Sali Shoshi, director of the organization in the Republic of Kosovo, reveals details of this project, preparations that began two months ago. "This cultural awareness was organized today and starts from Junik, passing Gjakova, to Hoçë të Madhe of Rahovec," says Shoshi. The most interesting and exciting things about this event are the stops we are going to make along the way. "We are going to stop in Gjakova and Rahovec to observe and learn the architecture, objects, and historical areas," adds Shoshi. According to him, this event does not just stop at the mere observation of these cultural sites. It all starts with "the idea to promote cultural heritage through it's recognition of the Republic of Kosovo," he states.

Lorik Cana plays with heart for Kosovo

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ImageAfter recently bing appointed Sunderland's new captain, Lorik Cana has one more reason to be a great football fighter: his rememberance of the war in Kosovo. "What has happened to the Albanians in Kosovo gave me more energy in the field. I want to give my best to make my family and my people proud. That is the most important thing for me. This is my goal, " said Cana.

Cana may be the new light of Suderland, but life has not always been easy for this footballer. He has spoken of the difficulties he has had to endure throughout his life to reach the position of the Premier League. Cana and his family fled the war-torn Kosovo. They arrived in Switzerland, where he had the chance to represent the Swiss, but instead chose to go to Albania once he has established himself at Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille. "I was seven when I left Kosovo with my family. It was almost as it if was not true and the worst thing was that for eight years there was no possibility to go back. We were refugees. When you are refugees, you can not move and that is the most difficult thing. I stayed in Switzerland eight or nine years without the possibility of seeing the rest of my family and friends, " said Cana.

However, the new Sunderland player will never forget his roots. "A war is something terrible for people, for a country, for everything. Thank God I didn't lose many people from my family but my friends lost lots of people. They lost houses, they lost everything. It was a difficult time. Everything that happened gives me my power and my energy to make sure I give my best wherever I go. I know everyone in my country, my family and friends are proud of me, " he expresses. Apart from playing for his country and the people, he also plays to contribute money to the needy in Kosovo and his mind has always been with his people. These hardships have made him stronger. His father, Agim Cana, was also a footballer and part of Albania's Golden Generation.

Lorik Cana was refused entry to the UK 10 years ago when offered a trial by Arsenal. Then, Cana had some issues migrating to France, but was allowed to sign with the Paris SG team. He later moved on to Marseille Olympics, where he was dubbed the name 'Le Destructeur'. His heart though, does not distinguish Albania from Kosovo. He also plays for the Albania National Football Team and is considered the Albania football star. "I had the possibility to wait and play for France. But for me it was a duty to play for Albania. We are a small country, we are not a top national team. But I am proud to play, " said Cana.

"Lorik is a great fighter. Before transfering, I have said that he would become a hero. He has already begun to leave traces, " said the Sunderland coach, Steve Bruce.

Anna Wiman

Anna Wiman
Freelance Writer and photographer

Elizabeth Gowing

Elizabeth Gowing
Co-Founder at The Ideas Partnership NGO

Henry H. Perritt Jr.

Henry H. Perritt Jr.
Professor of Law Chicago-Kent College

Drilon Gashi

Drilon Gashi
Comm. Counselor to the Prime Minister

Arlind V. Bytyqi

Arlind V. Bytyqi
Editor-in-chief
New Kosova Report
 

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