26-year-old Kosovo run for Brussels Parliament

There are some Albanians seeking to join the voice in Belgium, such as: Ammet Gianaj, Louise Duraki, Habibe Duraki, Avni Gyanaj and Fatmir Limani running at three levels, as well as Nermin Kumanovo in another region.

The stance has been the youngest candidate for the municipal assembly of Belgium and the EU administrative centre, thus stepping up its path to politics.

In an interview for TemA Yavore shows the circumstances that forced her family to abandon Kosovo when she was only 3 years old and all the difficult journey in a foreign country to achieve her dream.

Where and when were you born, stable?

I was born in Pristina on May 20, 1992.

When did you break up with Kosovo?

In 1994, when we arrived in Belgium.

Why did you emigrate?

In 1989, Milosevic violently removed Kosovo's autonomy and the competencies of the Kosovo authorities; and in 1990, all Albanian educational facilities in Kosovo were closed.

At that time, my father, the Union, was very active in Kosovo resistance, participating in many protests and the opening of illegal school objects. This investment had come to the eye of Serb forces in Kosovo, which decided to condemn Dad in order to stop his activity. So, after the police came to the door several times, he was forced to leave Pristina and soon joined me and his mother.

You were only three when your family migrated to Belgium. Starting a new life in a foreign country is not easy, is it? How do you remember your childhood?

My parents have worked hard so that I and other kids don't miss anything, school and realize all my dreams. But, we've always had the Homeland in mind, we've attended the development of events in media, newspapers and TV; although I wasn't in Kosovo during the war, we've experienced it from a distance; I remember protests in Brussels before NATO Headquarters every Sunday. Then I remember a happy childhood with many challenges and I believe there are many in this situation from my generation. Starting a life from cover in a new country for a child requires learning a lot of every class at school and working twice as hard as others to achieve the right results. This means that you are also twice as committed to family life, since in many cases you have to become a translator. My father worked hard, and I always stayed with my mother, accompanied him to the doctor or even the store. I believe that girls and boys who emigrate understand this situation very well; but that has made us double active and comprehensive. Since then I have always wanted to engage more; this has given me more autonomy and courage to challenge life.

Besides politics, what other passions do you have?

Cultural exchanges, history, music, theatre and the organisation of various events; what it means is that in my spare time I have a lot of desire and to have fun with my friends, and therefore with my brother we also organize different Albanian evenings. As for culture and history, I long to attend different seminars or debates.

What's your motto in life?

Work hard, straight and passionate! I believe everything is within reach of those who have the courage to believe in their ambitions and work to achieve it.

What was the motive for your involvement in politics?

The motive is always born from the past, and the circle in which you live and act; so perhaps it comes from a state like Kosovo that has left the war after 20 years and day is being built. So from my younger age, I have begun to engage in various organizations, such as the Youth European Parliament and the Belgium Youth Council in which I was deputy chairman.

That I may become the voice of those who speak not, that I may tell of unrighteousness and fight for an extensive society in the land where I live.

However, my presence or action in another country does not push me away or keep me from engaging in the creation of ideas and projects that concern their development. My involvement in politics during the recent local elections was thanks to Mr. Ahmet Gyanaj's proposal, the first Albanian deputy in Belgium, and acting for years for a worthy representation of our community. I was very pleased to be part of the “Election Commissioner”, with which we campaigned together and dynamicly in 11 Brussels municipalities.