Kosovo’s ethnic communities may have many cultural differences but they also have many similarities – and an appreciation of traditional foods is one of those similarities. From the famous pepper spread “ajvar,” meat products, and pickled vegetables, to various types of homemade bread, pies, and traditional desserts, Kosovo’s food traditions are rich, varied, and enjoyed by all.
Over a weekend in November, USAID’s Reconciliation and Conflict Transformation (RCT) Activity organized a community potluck in the diverse Kosovo city of Gjilan. The event offered a fun and celebratory purpose for convening members from different ethnic backgrounds as the country’s current tense political climate receded into the background, if only temporarily.
Events like this one provide a much-needed respite from the current political tensions and allow people to explore each other's cultures and traditions in a positive and safe place. It particularly benefits Kosovo’s youth, urging the next generation to deepen their understanding of the communities that surround them and encouraging them to accept, respect, and appreciate the multicultural environment that uniquely defines Kosovo.
Blend Bllaca, a member of RCT’s Cohesion Circle, a group of Kosovo citizens who believe the way forward for Kosovo is through social cohesion, says that food traditions are a particularly effective tool to bring communities together and build a foundation of trust. Another Cohesion Circle member, Olivera Jovanović, added that the food she brought was for everyone to try because she enjoys keeping traditions alive and sharing them with others.
After the food potluck, the group visited the city museum of ethnology to learn more about Gjilan’s history and culture, including historic musical instruments and hand-made dishes. They all agreed that learning about each other’s cultures through traditional foods – even as the country continues to battle the divisions of the past – was a winning recipe for building peace and reconciliation.
Community Building Mitrovica (CBM) for USAIDKosovo