Endless Abnormality

By Ilir Deda

Dear Saša,

Reading your letter brought to mind my first and, sadly, last conversation with the late Latinka Perović about 18 or 19 years ago in Priština. One of her observations has stayed with me ever since: that our societies are inherently immature and un-emancipated. From today’s perspective, however, could the same not be said of other Western countries, judging by their electoral choices? We are living in an era of the collapse of mainstream politics, where political elites seem incapable of addressing the enormous challenges burdening people, making “abnormality” increasingly prevalent, even in countries with a long democratic tradition.

Our nations, unfortunately, lack such a tradition. Despite your efforts and my own past engagement in advancing democracy, strengthening institutions, and promoting equality, we are witnessing significant regression and growing dissatisfaction within society, both in Kosovo and in Serbia.

Yet this dissatisfaction and socio-political crisis do not lead to “normalcy.” The divide between our societies is vast, and the public sphere is dominated by national-populism, which inherently thrives on conflict. This is precisely why we need processes like those in Brussels, Berlin, and Europe—because without them, we might already be entrenched in conflict. States resolve mutual problems, while people of goodwill support every possible step toward normalcy.

You briefly touched on the events of thirty years ago in your letter. To be honest, I prefer not to dwell on the dark days of the 1990s, when Albanians were collectively discriminated against by Serbian state policies of the time. In general, I avoid thinking about the past unless it serves as a lesson, inspiration, or a reminder of what must and must not be done.

I understand the struggles of Serbs in Kosovo, particularly those in the North. Unfortunately, the current Prime Minister has squandered the chance to extend an olive branch to the Serbian community and initiate a dialogue to address issues within the Kosovo government’s power to resolve. I am disheartened by the arbitrariness of decisions from Kosovo’s institutions and the misuse of the so-called “rule of law,” which now seems to include the revival of the long-abandoned “verbal offense,” evidenced by the arrests of Serbs for slogans, T-shirts, or banners. The current ruling party either misunderstands or deliberately ignores the essence of equality, and this “misunderstanding” leaves profound, damaging consequences—not only for interethnic relations but for Kosovo itself.

Since 2008, I have been an advocate for dialogue between the authorities and Kosovo’s Serbian community. That dialogue is urgently needed now more than ever. I remain hopeful that after the elections on February 9, a new government in Kosovo might make it possible to restart those conversations.

Unless, of course, incidents arise in northern Kosovo that would ensure even the rest of us who consider ourselves “normal” are swept into “abnormality.”

Warm regards,
Ilir