At the end of North Mitrovica’s promenade, the sounds of music, usually Albanian, have been resonating for days, coinciding with the installation of New Year-themed wigwams. Yesterday, an acoustic performance added a fresh layer to the festivities, featuring a mix of international rock hits and ethnic Albanian songs, including “Is There Anything Like You, Oh My Albania.”
North Mitrovica has emerged as a popular destination, attracting both prominent figures from Kosovo’s government and visitors from the south, along with members of the Albanian diaspora returning for the holiday season.
Wigwams Draw Visitors From the South
Ten days ago, several tables and four wigwams were set up at the promenade’s end, offering coffee, juices, and small holiday items. Crowds of pedestrians, particularly from the south, now frequent the area, while Kosovo police officers in both plain clothes and uniform, some armed, are stationed nearby.
On Saturday, the promenade saw a visit from Kosovo’s Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla and Agriculture Minister Faton Peci, accompanied by their aides. Just days earlier, Kosovo’s Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla also toured the wigwams.
On Sunday, the area welcomed dozens of visitors from the south once again, entertained by a two-member band comprising a singer and guitarist. The acoustic performance featured popular hits like “Fly Away,” “Seven Nation Army,” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.” However, one song in Albanian – “Is There Anything Like You, Oh My Albania” – captured the most attention, especially on social media.
Social Media and Mixed Reactions
The Facebook page Mitropol, based in South Mitrovica, shared a video of the performance, showing dozens of people standing near the wigwams while police officers watched nearby. The lyrics of the song, celebrated by Albanian users, include references to Albanian heritage and national pride:
„Is there anything like you, oh my Albania,
Oh noble one, above the stones,
Flowing through songs and legends,
With heads held high, under the flag.“
The video’s caption read, “‘Is There Anything Like You, Oh My Albania’ echoes across the northern square.”
Calls to Avoid Provocation
The performance also sparked criticism. Venhar Isufi, a journalist for Pristina-based Teve 1, called the event “provocative” in a Facebook post. Without specifying the songs, he argued:
“It is unacceptable to play provocative folk songs at the square in North Mitrovica, especially near the holiday wigwams. Imagine if a business played Serbian nationalist songs in Pristina—it would be seen as provocative too.”
Isufi urged all parties to focus on calming tensions in the region:
“Let’s work on fostering understanding among the local population rather than escalating tensions.”
Meanwhile, Mitropol shared another clip from the performance, featuring “My Good One, By the Cottage,” a song by Haki Misini, claiming it was the first time this piece was performed in North Mitrovica since the war.
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