25 years of KFOR in Kosova: Rochdale hosts pictures exhibition

‘KFOR and Kosovo +25’ will probably be on show from 16 January 2026 till 28 February 2026 at Number One Riverside within the city centre. Find Number One Riverside on Google Maps

Produced in partnership with Heartstone and funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, ‘KFOR and Kosovo +25’ contains over 50 images from photojournalist Nick Sidle in the course of the operation’s early levels. The photos present a singular perception into the work of peacekeepers while highlighting the human tales of the folks of Kosova, and the necessity for such an intervention to happen so they might safeguard lives, houses and re-build unusual life in extraordinary circumstances. The free exhibition will even inform the tales of these concerned and refugees who fled to Manchester to arrange house.

Before coming to Rochdale the exhibition has been on show on the Tower of London, the National Museum of Kosova in Pristina, the House of Commons, NATO HQ and at The Fusiliers Museum in Bury.

An internationally famend pictures exhibition, marking the twenty fifth anniversary of KFOR in Kosova, will open to the general public in Rochdale from 16 January 2026, together with over 50 images from photojournalist Nick Sidle. Photographs courtesy of Nick Sidle.

‘Extraordinary circumstances’

In 1999, KFOR, the NATO led worldwide peacekeeping pressure entered Kosova following Resolution 1244 by the United Nations Security Council. 2024 was the twenty fifth anniversary of that deployment. The first UN Security Council Resolution related to Kosova was handed on 31 March 1998 and the second on 23 September 1998. This was adopted by a collection of resolutions culminating in Resolution 1244 one yr later.

The exhibition will take guests by way of a visible, non-political, cultural expertise right into a world the place they will empathise with these of various backgrounds, perceive the commonality of human expertise, why the problems should be addressed, the necessity for peacekeeping forces and the refugee expertise. Some native veterans who’ve already been traced are a part of the programme.

Councillor Janet Emsley, the council’s lead member for the Armed Forces, stated the distinctive exhibition covers a interval of historical past that should not be forgotten. She stated:

“25 years later, this story holds many lessons for our time in a world where many are living with conflict, and the same issues of prejudice, intolerance and hate. It’s also a positive story, about human resilience and hope in extraordinary circumstances and the importance of people and nations working co-operatively together to achieve positive outcomes. I am looking forward welcoming it to Rochdale.”

The exhibition will probably be on show till 28 February 2026 on the bottom flooring at Number One Riverside within the city centre. The venue has staged many different famend exhibitions, together with ‘Gaia’ – the massive murals depicting the earth, in 2021, and Dippy the dinosaur from London’s Natural History Museum in 2020.

The exhibition in Rochdale is being led by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency, funded by The National Heritage Lottery Fund by way of Arts Council England and the Flexible Fund.

‘KFOR and Kosovo +25’ is a part of a spectacular line up of festivals, reside performances, exhibitions and artwork throughout Rochdale’s yr as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26. The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, celebrates the city’s wealthy historical past, creativity, expertise and numerous arts scene.

The exhibition will probably be open to view 6 days every week.

Related content material