The Fifth Day of the Summer University: A Journey Through Kosovo’s Memory and the Closing of the UPward Festival

The fifth day of the Prishtina International Summer University began with morning lectures and continued with diverse activities centered on memory, history, diaspora, and short films. Below are the events that unfolded on Friday: 

Visits to the "Çast" Museum and Reporting House

International and local students attending the Prishtina International Summer University visited the "Çast" Museum of the Jahjaga Foundation, dedicated to survivors of wartime sexual violence. There, they encountered one of the most poignant chapters of Kosovo’s history through testimonies collected from survivors. 

During the visit to the Reporting House, students learned about a preserved yet overlooked segment of Kosovo’s history from its most challenging decade (1989–1999), disconnected from mainstream media narratives. 

Dialogue on the Diaspora

Acting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, Ms. Liza Gashi, engaged in discussions with international students and Albanians living abroad about waves of emigration from Kosovo across different periods. 

She emphasized that the Kosovar diaspora is young and deeply emotionally connected to its homeland. Gashi noted that approximately one million Kosovars currently live outside the country. 

Conclusion of the UPward Festival

The UPward Student Film Festival concluded with screenings of several films, a Q&A session with filmmakers, and the distribution of certificates. During the day, Spanish professor Ricardo Spencer de Albuquerque delivered an open lecture on creating special effects in films with limited budgets. 

Weekend Excursions

Excursions to Kosovo’s culturally and environmentally significant sites are planned for Saturday and Sunday.