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Comment by Kaite O'Reilly on August 20, 2011 at 5:35

An update from Jeton on the threat to the political freedom of National Theatre Kosovo.

Ariel Dorfman has made this public statement:

“For many artists and citizens around the world, the tragedy and cause of Kosovo was of great concern and, for my part, I welcomed the possibility of the people of that land to express themselves and their identity freely. Now I hear of intimidation and bullying and the promotion of racial and narrow ethnic and nationalistic policies at the National Theatre of Kosovo through the intervention of recently appointed Minister of Culture. This threat to the independence of such an important theatrical institution should not be taken lightly. For a country like Kosovo, the theatre is undoubtedly one of the arts that most needs to be able to tell stories – just like the people of Kosovo – without fear – also like the people of Kosovo. Indeed, the freedom that should be represented on the stage of the National Theatre is symbolic of the freedom that all those who live and create in Kosovo deserve. I beg the authorities to allow this freedom to flourish without applying petty politics. As someone who has had his work staged in Kosovo, I feel that I am part of your culture as well, and hope that this crisis can be resolved with generosity and without damaging the good name of Kosovo.”

Ariel Dorfman

 

Comment by Kaite O'Reilly on August 19, 2011 at 21:28

Likewise, Gareth. I hope others feel compelled to respond.

 

Jonathan Meth and Peter Arnott of The Fence have sent a response to the ministers, prime minister and press of Kosovo, in response to Jeton's appeal for support. It's too long to reproduce here, but you can find it under 'Two Letters: The Political Freedom of The National Theatre of Kosovo' at www.kaiteoreilly.wordpress.com 

Comment by Gareth Potter on August 18, 2011 at 1:49

I've been a friend of Jeton's for over 7 years; he is one of the most inspiring and motivated people I've met in theatre and I urge the creative community in Wales to support him. Please take time to write.

Comment by Kaite O'Reilly on August 17, 2011 at 12:12

Small world.

I've been putting the information out on various networks as soon as I received Jeton's email tonight - he seems to believe it will help to have individual emails sent to the minister of culture, etc - this seems to be more effective than a communal response. I hope, too, people will act, if they are so inclined.

x

Comment by National Theatre Wales on August 17, 2011 at 12:01

Kate, Jeton is a friend and is working with us on a new commission at NTW, so I'm very sad to hear this news.  I hope that as many people as possible will support him.

Comment by Kaite O'Reilly on August 17, 2011 at 11:45

Dear writers,

I'm part of an international network of playwrights and allies called The Fence - I've just received the following email from a colleague and, given our recent discussion and activity on this site, I thought I should share this with you:

 

Dear theatre friends,

 

The National Theatre of Kosovo is being seriously threatened by politics. Even before, this theatre had been the target of manipulations and political control; nonetheless, the latest developments are disturbing and make this theatre’s perspective dim.  The National Theatre of Kosovo is an independent public institution, financed by public funds through The Ministry of Culture.

 

Recently, the newly appointed Minister of Culture has committed a series of violations of law and power abuses, intimidating the independence of this theatre by making some politically arbitrary decisions. He has dismissed The Board of The National Theatre of Kosovo, even though that board has a legitimate mandate. This decision was made after the board had positively evaluated my three years’ work as the Artistic Director in this Theatre. The Minister has also manipulated with the new board that he himself appointed. As a result, a totally unprofessional person – until recently, he was working in The Kosovo Prime Minister’s Office – has been appointed for the position of Artistic Director of The National Theatre of Kosovo. 

 

This political interference weights down my efforts and those of the previous Board to aesthetically and conceptually reform this theatre, to open paths for cooperation with artists and international theatre companies, to liberate this theatre from schematic national plays, to alleviate it from primitive nationalistic mentality which continues to use the theatre as a medium for promotion of racism and induction of nationalism. Our concept, during the past three years, has brought more audience, about 150% more in comparison to previous years. 

 

I would like to take the opportunity to invite You to react in order to exert pressure on those scandalous political actions, which have arrogated the creative and functional independence of The National Theatre of Kosovo. 

 

I would kindly ask You to send Your reactions to those e-mails: 

 

memli.Krasniqi@ks-gov.net / Minister of Culture

enver.hoxhaj@ks-gov.net / Minister of Foreign Affairs

hajredin.kuqi@ks-gov.net / Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo

info_pmo@ks-gov.net / The Kosovo Prime Minister’s Office

grakur@gmail.com / Koha Ditore Newspaper

gjergj.filipaj@zeri.info / Zeri Newspaper

faton.raci@gazetaexpress.com  / Newspaper Express

jetonneziraj@gmail.com / Jeton Neziraj

 

Thank You,

Sincerely,

Jeton Neziraj

-- 
-------------------------------------
Jeton Neziraj
Info@jetonneziraj.com
www.jetonneziraj.com
www.qendra.org
+377 44 186 393

Comment by Terry Victor on August 17, 2011 at 2:14

I am in Edinburgh - with a queue of ideas in abeyance.

Comment by Matt Ball on August 9, 2011 at 22:39

Hi Carmen, John has written an update here

 

Comment by Terry Victor on July 31, 2011 at 4:12

Good letter. Wasn't the intention to get it on its way quicker than by the end of the week? The content of the letter suggests that we are within a week of the event. 

Comment by National Theatre Wales on July 31, 2011 at 0:36

Oh, if anyone wants to be credited differently from how I've done it (e.g if you want to mention your company, or I've mis-described your artistic identity, just let me know and I'll sort it.  (Peter Cox, sky diver?  Tim Price, celebrity chef?)  jx

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