Kosovo

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Speaker Profile(Basic Information…hometown, career, family, etc…)

Kosovo on the Map

Basic InformationFull name: Republic of KosovoPopulation: approximately 2.2 millionCapital: Prishtina  Largest city:  PrishtinaMajor language: Albanian and SerbianMajor religion: Muslim, Roman Catholic, and OrthodoxLife expectancy: 64Monetary unit: Euro    GPD per capita: € 2,065 (about $2,316)(Adapted from beinkosovo.com)

Significant Historical Events

• 12th century: Kosovo is the center of the Serbian empire.• 1389: Turkish troops defeat the armies of Kosovo and

Serbia, seizing control of the region.• 1912: During the Balkan Wars, Serbia regains control of

Kosovo from the Turks.• 1946: Kosovo becomes part of Yugoslavia.• 1990: Albanian legislators declare Kosovo independent

from Serbia.• 1992: War erupts between ethnic groups.• 1999: Nato intervenes to end the conflict.• 2001: Kosovo holds its first election.• 2006: A Serbian referendum declares that Kosovo is

part of Serbia, Kosovo later declares independence.• 2011: Serbia and Kosovo’s governments talk and

arrange border-crossing regulations.(Adapted from BBC News and reuters.com)

Famous Landmarks

• Sinan Pasha Mosque• Visoki Dečani• Monastery of the Patriarchate of Peć• Cathedral of Blessed Mother Teresa• Newborn monument • Field of Blackbirds• Skanderbeg Statue

LanguagesHello:  Bye:Yes:     No:Thank you:You’re Welcome:Please:I love you:How are you?:

GovernmentStructure: Parliamentary Republic Composed of Executive branch, single house legislature, and judicial branchCurrent President: Atifete JahjagaPrime Minister: Hashim Thaci

Current Issues and Events

• Independence• Gender Equality• Serbian and Albanian ethnic relations• European Union membership

EconomicsCurrency: Euro

Main Exports: Manufactured goods Raw materials Food Fuel

Everyday LifeTypical day for a child:

Typical day for an adult:

Marriage and Gender Roles

Bridal Face Painting

Holidays and Festivals

• Independence Day: February 17th, Kosovars celebrate their autonomy.

• Orthodox Christmas Day and Easter Morning: The Orthodox church celebrates these holidays according to the Julian calendar, so Christmas is January 7th while the date of Easter varies each year.

• Sugar Feast: At the end of a month of fasting, Muslims enjoy a sweet feast.

• Feast of Sacrifice: Muslims sacrifice an animal, such as a sheep, goat, or cow, in commemoration of Abraham’s sacarifice of a ram to Allah.

• Constitution Day: April 9th, the people of Kosovo celebrate the creation of their constitution.

SportsMost Popular: Soccer Handball Volleyball Basketball

Food• Flija (layered pie with yogurt filling).• Raznjici (skewered meat). • Hajvar (red pepper paste).• Cevapcici (charcoal-grilled minced meat).• Sarma or japrak (vine or cabbage leaves stuffed with meat and rice).• Pljeskavica (meat patties of beef and lamb).• Llokuma (fried dough puffs served with yoghurt and

garlic or honey)(Adapted from worldtravelguide.net)

Traditional Dance

Sources and Links• http://beinkosovo.com/• http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18328859• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factb

ook/geos/kv.html• http://www.mfa-ks.net/?page=2,1 (Kosovo’s ministry of

foreign affairs)• http://www.kosovodiaspora.org