The Dua Lipa festival aiming to change Kosovo’s image

Dua Lipa, a well-known pop star, was born in the United Kingdom to parents who are originally from Kosovo. This summer, she and her father, Dukagjin, took a significant step to change the perception of Kosovo by launching the Sunny Hill festival in their hometown of Pristina. In the UK, music festivals are a common occurrence during the summer months, with events happening almost every week. However, in Kosovo, opportunities for music lovers to gather and enjoy live performances have been quite limited. Dua Lipa expressed her desire to alter the negative narrative surrounding Kosovo, stating, 'I want to change the rhetoric of what people think about Kosovo and it being war-torn. ' During her childhood in Kosovo, she often felt disappointed that many of her favorite artists never visited the region. Kosovo has a complex history, particularly due to the war in the late 1990s, which resulted in the loss of over 10,000 lives as the country fought for its independence from Serbia. Although Kosovo declared independence, some nations, including Serbia, do not acknowledge it. Dukagjin, Dua's father, has long dreamed of establishing a music festival in Pristina, having worked in the live music industry for many years before Dua achieved international fame. The Sunny Hill festival was launched in 2018, marking ten years since Kosovo declared independence, and it was headlined by Dua Lipa herself, celebrating her success as a global star. Initially, it was challenging to attract other international artists to perform at the festival. However, the following year, notable performers like Miley Cyrus and Calvin Harris agreed to take the stage, marking a turning point for the festival's reputation. Dukagjin remarked, 'We really do punch way above our weight when it comes to the line-up. ' He reassures artists that while they may not find their preferred drinks, they will have access to top-notch sound equipment. This year, Burna Boy was among the headliners, and the festival attracted a diverse audience, with around 40% of attendees coming from outside Kosovo. Many traveled from distant places, such as Chicago, to see popular artists like Bebe Rexha, Stormzy, and DJ Snake perform. Kosovo is known for having a youthful population, with more than half of its residents estimated to be under the age of 30. Local musicians often face challenges in performing abroad due to travel restrictions. La Fazani, a singer who has participated in the Sunny Hill festival multiple times, explained, 'It’s not that easy to be a musician. ' He believes that without the festival, he would not have the opportunity to perform in front of such large crowds. He hopes that being part of Sunny Hill will enhance his career prospects. La Fazani stated, 'Sunny Hill is one of the greatest generators of a positive image of Kosovo. ' Dukagjin, reflecting on the success of the festival, acknowledges that it will be difficult for Sunny Hill to reach the same level of recognition as iconic festivals like Glastonbury. However, he has received encouragement from industry friends, including Coachella's owner, who likened Sunny Hill to Glastonbury in its early days. Dukagjin envisions a future where artists spend more time in Pristina, engaging with local musicians and exchanging ideas. He hopes to introduce workshops next year to further support the growth of musicians in the region. The Sunny Hill festival represents more than just a music event; it aims to reshape the image of Kosovo and foster a sense of community through the power of music.