Culture minister reacts to mistreatment of Kosovo artists by Serbian authorities

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Kujtim Gashi, considers the mistreatment of artists from Kosovo to be shameful and unacceptable, who would participate in the “Mirita Dobar dan” festival to be held in Belgrade.

“The treatment and psychological abuse that has been done to artists from Kosovo from Serbian authorities on the border, who were travelling to Belgrade, is an act that shames the state of Serbia and is in the opposite report with dialogue and normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia, and further exacerbating its neighbouring relations”, said Minister Gashi.

“Art and Culture people through their creative activity aim to build bridges between cultures and civilisations, and states must create extenuating policies for artists rather than stumble in their activities. It takes Serbia to leave the old mind and prevent artists from Kosovo, and not only them, from accomplishing their” activities, the minister reacted.

“With similar actions of Serbian authorities, agreements reached in Brussels for free movement and construction of good reports between Kosovo and Serbia, testify that Serbia is not ready to observe documents signed in Brussels and, in this case, as Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, I also urge European authorities to analyse this case, but also other earlier cases when Serbian authorities prevent Kosovo sports artists from participating in events organised in Serbia and make pressure on Serbian authorities<1> the minister said.