Civil Resistance in Kosovo - Thesis Example

Kosovo is Albania Introduction Albania is located in the southern eastern part of Europe. It is located in the coast of Balkan Peninsula. The republic of Albania is located in central part of city Tirana. The majority of people living in Albania are Slavs, Greeks, Rom and Vlachs. The border of Albania is surrounded by Greece in the south, Kosovo in the part of north east and Macedonia in the east. Kosovo is the capital of Pristina and it is bordered by Albania to the west, North West region is Montenegro and southern region is Macedonia. In the year 2008, Kosovo is declared as independent country which was the former territory of Serbia. Kosovo was the core of Yugoslavia and southern region of Serbia. It is true that being an independent country, people of different ethnic groups used to live in Kosovo. According to several criticisms of the historians, it can be stated that the largest ethnic group in Kosovo that are generally identified are the Albanians. There is huge controversy among the historians regarding the ethnic identity of Kosovo. This particular essay will discuss in favor of following thesis statement. Thesis statement Kosovo is Albania as majority of citizens in Kosovo are Albanians and cultural or social tradition of Albanians in Kosovo are quite closer to the Albanians in Albania. . Discussion Before going into the controversial debate, it is highly important for the readers to determine and understand the history. “Albanians can be considered as the largest ethnic group in Kosovo”. This particular community can be called as Kosovan or Kosovo Albanians or Kosovar. According to the Yugoslav census in the 1991, there were more than 80 percent Albanians used to live in Kosovo. However, this particular census had been boycotted by the Albanians due to several reasons. “It has been mentioned earlier that Kosovo got independence in the year 2008”. Since medieval period several Albanians used to live in Kosovo. It is true that, slowly and gradually several Albanians started to shift in Kosovo way before First World War. “In addition to this, when the Serbs used to expel major number of Albanians, then these Albanians started to settle in Kosovo during the year 1878” (Vickers, 2001). Moreover, these Albanians were recognized as the muhaxher. In addition to this, in the year 1912 during the war of Balkans in this First World War era, maximum of the Eastern Kosovo part was captured by the strong Kingdom of Serbia. “On the other hand, western part of the Kosovo was captured by the strong Kingdom of Montenegro” (Clark, 2000). However, as a result the Colonist Serb families started to move into Kosovo. Therefore, the percentage of Albanian population used to decrease significantly in Kosovo. “More than 10 percent Albanian population used to decrease during this First World War time period”. In addition to this, the country of Kosovo divided into four different and small parts. It can be considered as one of the serious consequences. Zvecan, Southern Metohija and Kosovo were three parts identified their presence in official Serbia. “On the other hand, Northern Metohija was the other part ensured its presence in Montenegro”. “Moreover, the newly developed administration system split Kosovo in the year 1922 among three different regions in the particular kingdom” (Krieger, 2001). These three regions were Rascia, Zeta and Kosovo. However, this particular kingdom changed into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. This Kingdom of Yugoslavia lasted till the year 1942. “This particular kingdom collapsed during this period due to the Axis invasion of Second World War”. However, this Axis invasion forced Italian Controlled Fascist Albania to capture this part of Kosovo. The province of Metohija and Kosovo successfully formed as an autonomous region in the year 1946. “During this time period, the name of Yugoslavia changed into the Yugoslavia’s Socialist Federal Republic”. Slowly and gradually, the government of Kosovo attained higher power including uppermost governmental title in the year 1974. In addition to this, the word called Metohija was also removed from the 1974 title. It got the simple short form i.e. Kosovo. “In the year 1970s, the nationalist movement of Albania pursued Province of Kosovo’s full recognition” (Kostovicova, 2005). In the year 1981, the Kosovar Albanian student developed and organized a protest program in order to include Kosovo as a republic within Yugoslavia. “It is true that the centralized government of Yugoslavia harshly contained this project” (Singh, 2009). “In the year 1990, the unconstitutional Albanian parliament had declared that Kosovo is an independent country”. However, this particular aspect had not recognized by the centralized government of Yugoslavia. In the year 1995, the Dayton agreement took place. After the introduction of this agreement, the Albanians had considered the Kosovo Liberation Army to be legal. It is true that the Serbian forces randomly committed war crimes in Kosovo. However, the government of Serbia claimed that the army was only trying to capture the suspected Albanian terrorists. “This particular activity had triggered a NATO campaign for 78 days in the year 1999”. It is true that the Kosovar Albanian KLA had played a major role for NATO in reconnaissance missions. In addition to this, KLA also played a major role in damaging the Serbian Army. After several controversies and debate in international level, the international negotiation had begun in the year 2006. Several international countries posted their vote to become Kosovo as an independent country. “In addition to this, the UN Security Council resolution also helped the citizens of Kosovo to come into the full and final settlement i.e. Kosovo had become the new independent country in the year 2008” (Perritt, 2010). Most importantly, more than 80 percent population of Kosovo belongs to the Albanian ethnic group as of present era. The culture, education, social tradition and political system of the country have the significant reflection of Albanian culture and tradition. For these reasons, it can be stated that Kosovo is Albania. It is true that Kosovo is a multicultural country. In addition to this, it is also true that people of several social and religion background used to live in Kosovo. Albanians are the major ethnic group that has presence in Kosovo. “In terms of religion, the most widespread and vast religion among the Albanians in Kosovo is Islam”. The religious ideology of Islam can be divided into two parts, such as Shia and Sunni. Majority of the Islam Albanians are Sunni in Kosovo. On the other hand, several Albanians in Kosovo used to follow Roman Catholicism ideology. It has been mentioned earlier that Albanians is the major ethnic group that has presence in Kosovo. In terms of social tradition and culture, it is true that the Albanians in Albania and Albanians in Kosovo are quite close to each other. “However, the customs and traditions used to differ from a town to another town in Albania” (Olson, 2000). Gheg can be considered as the spoken dialect in Albania. On the other hand, it is also typical and common of the Northern Albanians. The language of media, books, education, newspapers and state institutions can be considered as the Albanian’s standard dialect. Most importantly, it is quite closer and common to the Tosk dialect. “Kosovo’s one of the leading and popular public university is the University of Pristina”. This university used to provide education for all three levels, such as primary level, secondary level and university degree level. This university has sufficient number of faculties who have expertise in own subject areas. It can be stated that National Library is the most famous or popular and largest library in Kosovo. This National Library is located in the centre part of Pristina. This particular library’s document and several books generally reflect the culture of Albania as several Albanians in Kosovo used to like this national Library as this library’s books and documents reflects the culture, myths and social traditions. There are also several private universities and libraries in Kosovo that equally reflect the culture, myths and tradition of the Albanians. Film industry can be considered as one of the important and effective symbol of culture of a country. Similar to all the other countries, Kosovo too has a largest film industry that used to reflect the culture and tradition of the Albanians. “Kosovafilmi is the only and popular film industry in Kosovo” (Pearson, 2005). Most importantly, several producers, directors and film houses release the movies in Albanian. In addition to this, credit of making film in Albanian language can go to the Albanian Kosovar movie makers or film makers. The national theatre of Kosovo is one of the leading and popular theatres among the citizens of Kosovo. In addition to this, it is one of the major tourist attractions for the international visitors. Several plays that took place in this national Theatre are shown regularly by the international artists as well as the Albanians in Kosovo. Kosovo can be termed as Albania due to these social and cultural similarities. “Music is the heart of the citizens of Kosovo”. On the other hand, music has always been a popular and traditional integral part of the Albanian culture. However, it is true that the music of Kosovo is diverse. But, the authentic Albanian music gained huge popularity and likelihood among the people of Kosovo. In addition to this, several leading musicians in Kosovo generally adopt and implement utilization of several authentic Albanian instruments during the creation and composition of music. “Mandola, ciftelia, mandolin and percussion are the major traditional and authentic Albanian instruments that are used by the musicians during the creation and composition of music” (Kadare, 2013). Folk music is highly famous and popular among the people of Kosovo. In addition to this, this particular segment of music is also popular among the Albanians in Kosovo as well as the Albanians in Albania. There are many ensembles and singers that have specialized in folk singing. People of Kosovo used to like and love old traditional music and songs, as well as modern songs and music. It is true that the modern music in Kosovo has originated from several developed and developing western countries. However, the popularity of western music and songs is also significantly increasing among the Albanians in Kosovo. The popular western music involves rock, jazz, pop, rap and hip hop. “Cute Babujia, Gjurmet, Votra, Troja, Humus, Asgje, Diadema, Gillespie, Kthjellu and Sikur Dielli are the most popular rock brands among the Albanians as well as other ethnic groups in Kosovo” (Elsie, 2010). Moreover, this type of music is also popular among the Albanians in Albania. Polifest, Videofest, Showfest and Rock per Rock are some popular musical events in Kosovo that are liked by the Albanians as well as othger people in Kosovo. Conclusion It is clear from above discussion and mentioned aspects that Albanians in Albania and Albanians in Kosovo are quite similar and closer to each other. It is true that Kosovo got independence in the year 2008. In addition to this, more than 80 percent population of Kosovo is the Albanians. The culture, educational tradition, social tradition and political system of the country have significant similarity with the culture and social tradition of the Albanians. For these reasons, it can be argued that Kosovo is Albania due to several similarities between Albanians in Albania and Albanians in Kosovo. In terms of religious background and religious ideology, Albanians generally follow both Islamic and Christianity religious ideology in Kosovo. In addition to this, education in Kosovo generally offered in all three levels which have significantly accepted by the Albanians in Kosovo. The national Library and national Theater in Kosovo are hugely popular among the Albanians in Kosovo. Most importantly, film makers used to release the movie in Albanian. However, it is clear from these mentioned facts and aspects that the Albanians in Albania and Albanians in Kosovo are quite similar to each other regarding social and cultural identity. Hence it can be stated that Kosovo is Albania. References Clark, H. (2000). Civil Resistance in Kosovo. New York: Pluto Press. Elsie, R. (2010). Historical Dictionary of Albania. London: Rowman and Littlefield. Kadare, I. (2013). Elegy for Kosovo. New York: Skyhorse Publishing. Kostovicova, D. (2005). Kosovo: The Politics of Identity and Space. London: Routledge. Krieger, H. (2001). The Kosovo Conflict and International Law. London: Cambridge University Press. Olsen, H. (2000). Albania. New York: Oxfam. Pearson, O. (2005). Albania in the Twentieth Century, a History. New York: IB Tauris. Perritt, H. (2010). The Road to Independence for Kosovo. London: Cambridge University Press. Singh, J. (2009). The Problem of Ethnicity. London: Sage. Vickers, M. (2001). Between Serb and Albanian: A History of Kosovo. New York: Columbia University Press. Read More