In this documentary, we delve into the heart of Mitrovica, an ancient mining city in northern Kosovo divided by ethnic conflict. The city was once Kosovo's bustling industrial centre, but it is now cleaved in two following the North Kosovo crisis in 2013. Through interviews with four local Kosovars, we explore the ongoing tensions and challenges that exist within this divided city. These individuals share their unique perspectives, discussing the city's problems, political landscape, and potential solutions.
We also explore the symbolic river bridge that once marked the heart of a thriving metropolis but now serves as a boundary between the Serbian and Albanian communities. The economic factors driving the separation of these two ethnic communities and the surprising role of the Serbian government in subsidising living standards are also examined.
In 2008, almost ten years after the devastating war, Kosovo declared independence. Although Kosovo has been recognised by 112 UN member states, it has not yet been recognised by its former enemy, Serbia. Understanding Serbia’s reasons for the non-recognition of Kosovo is difficult from an international or national level of analysis. However, at an individual level of analysis, it appears to be driven by economic interests.
To create sustainable peace and reconcile Albanians and Serbians, collaboration and economic development are key. In this video, interviewees living in different parts of Kosovo share their very individual perspectives on the political situation in Mitrovica, Kosovo as a whole, and how to solve existing problems. It is important to note that the following text is preliminary.
