26.04.2022. » 12:34
Op-ed - Intercultural cooperation... with no 'base'!
It is quite interesting to read about intercultural cooperation that took place somewhere in the distant past. Generations of our ancestors 'forgot' to teach us how to develop and cultivate this cooperation, which today we almost do not know if it exists, and if it exists - to what extent!
It is rather interesting to read about intercultural cooperation that took place somewhere in the distant past. Generations of our ancestors 'forgot' to teach us how to develop and cultivate this cooperation, which today we almost do not know if it exists, and if it exists - to what extent!
It is not unreachable, but to us, it seems so!
Mitrovica is a city where culture has developed in almost all spheres - such as art, music, poetry, sports, etc. Cultural events were held without any personal gain and were guided by the idea to benefit the community. The work of art was essential for the author, and on the other hand, it was highly appreciated by the audience. That time seems to be entirely different from today. Nowadays, valuable works of art can be bought on the market at very low prices. Another perfect example of the spirit of the past is the private bars that organized concerts with different bands and their only goal was to make the music reach out to people.
We can write epics about topics related to the way of life in our recent past. Nevertheless, what remains unknown are intercultural events and manifestations. They were mainly organized privately. Seldom in the not-so-distant past have we had intercultural activities, and even when they were organized, they did not include members of all communities. What is more, I participated in the training related to the exchange of intercultural experiences, where out of 25 participants, 13 were from different countries and completely different and diverse cultures. However, not many people in Kosovo are open to intercultural cooperation, and therefore we cannot rely on the mutual exchange of cultural experiences. There is only one dilemma waiting to be answered - whether we "cannot" or "we do not want"!
One of the keys to solving this problem is the essential relation of culture with other social spheres. I believe that culture should be affiliated with the education system and that post-learning activities should be integrated into the strengthening of intercultural cooperation among young people. It would indeed be a vital step toward the development of cooperation between communities in Kosovo in order to influence the breaking down of prejudices and stereotypes about the cultures of communities in Kosovo that would, consequently, provide a more accessible basis for better cooperation, but also intercultural recognition. First of all, we need to get to know the diverse cultures in the areas where we live and then recognize our similarities in order to nurture them as much as possible.
Given that the basis for the development of intercultural cooperation is quite good, there is hope that communities in Kosovo will extend collaboration to a higher level. I believe that this is crucial for the coexistence of all communities with respect for intercultural cooperation and diversity, without political influence and stigma, as politics is for sure one of the primary reasons we are still lagging in cooperation.
Hope dies last, but in this case, we can only hope that we will all work together to improve cultural life, where future generations will be able to enjoy a well-built cultural 'base' so they would not blame us for the weak foundation we have bequeathed to them.
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