Kosovo

Kosovo

Know your community: know your world.

Speaker Profile(Basic Information…hometown, career, family, etc…)

Kosovo on the Map

Basic InformationFull name: Republic of KosovoPopulation: approximately 2.2 millionCapital: Prishtina  Largest city:  PrishtinaMajor language: Albanian and SerbianMajor religion: Muslim, Roman Catholic, and OrthodoxLife expectancy: 64Monetary unit: Euro    GPD per capita: € 2,065 (about $2,316)(Adapted from beinkosovo.com)

Significant Historical Events

• 12th century: Kosovo is the center of the Serbian empire.• 1389: Turkish troops defeat the armies of Kosovo and

Serbia, seizing control of the region.• 1912: During the Balkan Wars, Serbia regains control of

Kosovo from the Turks.• 1946: Kosovo becomes part of Yugoslavia.• 1990: Albanian legislators declare Kosovo independent

from Serbia.• 1992: War erupts between ethnic groups.• 1999: Nato intervenes to end the conflict.• 2001: Kosovo holds its first election.• 2006: A Serbian referendum declares that Kosovo is

part of Serbia, Kosovo later declares independence.• 2011: Serbia and Kosovo’s governments talk and

arrange border-crossing regulations.(Adapted from BBC News and reuters.com)

Famous Landmarks

• Sinan Pasha Mosque• Visoki Dečani• Monastery of the Patriarchate of Peć• Cathedral of Blessed Mother Teresa• Newborn monument • Field of Blackbirds• Skanderbeg Statue

LanguagesHello:  Bye:Yes:     No:Thank you:You’re Welcome:Please:I love you:How are you?:

GovernmentStructure: Parliamentary Republic Composed of Executive branch, single house legislature, and judicial branchCurrent President: Atifete JahjagaPrime Minister: Hashim Thaci

Current Issues and Events

• Independence

• Gender Equality

• Serbian and Albanian ethnic relations

• European Union membership

EconomicsCurrency: Euro

Main Exports: Manufactured goods Raw materials Food Fuel

Everyday LifeTypical day for a child:

Typical day for an adult:

Marriage and Gender Roles

Bridal Face Painting

Holidays and Festivals

• Independence Day: February 17th, Kosovars celebrate their autonomy.

• Orthodox Christmas Day and Easter Morning: The Orthodox church celebrates these holidays according to the Julian calendar, so Christmas is January 7th while the date of Easter varies each year.

• Sugar Feast: At the end of a month of fasting, Muslims enjoy a sweet feast.

• Feast of Sacrifice: Muslims sacrifice an animal, such as a sheep, goat, or cow, in commemoration of Abraham’s sacarifice of a ram to Allah.

• Constitution Day: April 9th, the people of Kosovo celebrate the creation of their constitution.

SportsMost Popular:

Soccer

Handball

Volleyball

Basketball

Food• Flija (layered pie with yogurt filling).

• Raznjici (skewered meat).

• Hajvar (red pepper paste).

• Cevapcici (charcoal-grilled minced meat).

• Sarma or japrak (vine or cabbage leaves stuffed with

meat and rice).

• Pljeskavica (meat patties of beef and lamb).

• Llokuma (fried dough puffs served with yoghurt and

garlic or honey)(Adapted from worldtravelguide.net)

Traditional Dance

Sources and Links• http://beinkosovo.com/• http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18328859• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factb

ook/geos/kv.html• http://www.mfa-ks.net/?page=2,1 (Kosovo’s ministry of

foreign affairs)• http://www.kosovodiaspora.org