‘Time to be taught our personal tales’: younger photographers prepared to depart dad and mom’ tales prior to now

“We have all been told stories from our parents but it’s very good to learn from our own stories,” says 22-year-old photography enthusiast Fjolla Aliu.

Aliu is one of 18 young people from across Kosovo who have transcended both history and ethnic divides through the medium of photography – lomography, to be exact. 

The young photographers undertook a two-day training in September in the photography genre, a style of analogue photography known for its spontaneity, imperfections, and creative freedom. The photographers travelled across Kosovo and captured stories that were ultimately showcased at the UNMIK-funded Barabar Centre in Pristina in an exhibition titled “Radical Togetherness.”

 Aliu, who is also a medical student at the University of Pristina, said the training opened space for difficult but necessary conversations.

“Being part of Barabar Center for a two-day training, we learned about photography, but we also discussed topics that are sometimes challenging to discuss in everyday life. We are participants from different communities, and we discussed topics that bothered different communities – the struggles we face every day.” Oliver Tota is a 21-year-old architecture student who lives in Mitrovica but travels to Pristina frequently as a way to connect with his family history.

“My parents were very young when they lived in Pristina before the conflict, and they have only good memories. I come to visit Pristina very often with my father too. The nightlife is also very enjoyable,” he said.

Korab Krasniqi, an artist from Pristina who conceived the project and guided the youngsters through various streets across Kosovo’s municipalities, encouraged them to look for elements that carry deeper messages—whether social, cultural, political, or ecological.

“The number of pictures the students took speaks for itself. From conflict memories, cultural heritage and diversity to nationalistic symbols in public spaces—each image sparked lively discussions,” he said.

Marko Cumeric, also from Mitrovica, frequently visits Pristina. He said the event was a reminder of the ties that still exist between communities.

“I would always like to come back to Pristina because of the young people. I generally like photography and here at this event I specifically like the simplicity of how things that happen north and south have been represented.”

Mathematics student Anastasija Djordević, also from Mitrovica, said she felt inspired by the project to encourage others to be more engaged with different ethnic communities in Kosovo.

“I am very active in convincing younger peers to be more engaged and to interact with coinhabitants,” she said. 

The project was part of the Barabar Connect initiative, implemented by NGOs Integra and CASA, with the support of the Swiss Embassy in Kosovo and UNMIK.