In the latest wave of closures of Serbian institutions in Kosovo, the doors of the “Vuk Karadžić” City Library in North Mitrovica were sealed at the end of May. The premises were taken over by the Kosovo Privatization Agency (KAP), which today issued its first official statement on the matter.
KAP claims the building is part of the social property portfolio of the former „Jugodrvo“ company and was being used without authorization.
„This is a socially-owned property and, as such, is under the administration of the Kosovo Privatization Agency, in accordance with Article 5 of the Law on KAP and the mandate inherited from the Kosovo Trust Agency,“ the statement reads. „The mentioned premises belong to the socially-owned enterprise ‘Jugodrvo’ and have been used without a valid agreement with the Agency.“
The agency says it offered the current user—presumably the library—a contract to regulate the use of the space and allow its activities to continue under applicable rules and procedures. However, it is still waiting for a response.
“The Agency is awaiting a reply from the user regarding whether they wish to enter into an agreement for the use of the premises,” KAP said. “If the user decides not to continue using the space, we will enable and support the retrieval of the materials and books stored there, at a time of their convenience.”
Despite sealing the library, which housed a collection of approximately 40,000 books, KAP insists that the move does not represent a ban on business, cultural, or informational activities.
“KAP does not have a mandate to license or restrict library, educational, or commercial activities. Our role is solely the lawful management of socially-owned property, in the equal interest of all citizens, without distinction,” the statement emphasizes.
The closure of the library occurred during a week when at least 11 Serbian services were shut down in eight different facilities across Kosovo. Unlike other closures, this one drew little reaction from Serbian political representatives, including the Srpska Lista and official Belgrade, except for Serbia’s Ministry of Culture, which condemned it as a “barbaric act” and part of an ongoing campaign of property seizure.
When the library was sealed, Director Nikola Elezović was reportedly told he would be allowed to retrieve the books. He publicly stated at the time that he intended to do so.
KoSSev has made multiple attempts to reach Elezović for comment on the current status of the library and the claims made by KAP. As of the time of publication, he has not responded to phone calls or a written inquiry.
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