"Peaches", lectures in the mosque and protests against "DokuFest"
The protest has been called for 14:00, immediately after the prayer ceremony that Muslim believers do on Friday. And in the Mosque of Sinan Pasha - the central mosque of Prizren - imam Orhan Bislimaj in his lecture between prayers enumerated the reasons why evil must be fought, alluding to "DokuFest" (Photo: REL)
While "Peaches", after midnight in a fenced area where entrance was paid and those under 18 were not allowed to be inside, called for human rights through a spectacle, its effect was noted at noon, in the center of Prizren and in the Hoxha's lecture at the Sinan Pasha Mosque. One week after the performance, which was held as part of the international short film and documentary festival "DokuFest", the center of the city of Prizren was filled with protesters. According to the organizers of the festival, the reaction is supported by those who are not sufficiently informed
"Peaches" has achieved its impact. On Friday last week, at 00:00 in a corner of the city of Prizren, Canadian singer and producer Merrill Nisker, known as "Peaches", performed in her own style and for the causes she fights for. All her performances - now three decades - have a common denominator: human rights.
While "Peaches", after midnight in a fenced area where entrance was paid and those under 18 were not allowed to be inside, called for human rights through a spectacle, its effect was marked at noon, in the center of Prizren and in the Hoxha's lecture at the Sinan Pasha Mosque.
One week after the performance, which was held as part of the international short film and documentary festival "DokuFest", the center of the city of Prizren was filled with protesters. Reactions on social networks over the past weekend have tended towards this. From well-known public figures such as writers and publicists to some politicians, including MPs, have reacted against the performance, considering it "degenerate". Most without seeing it at all. The point that brought them together are the images with the breasts of "Peaches". In those cases, it has often been said that "with that performance, the 22nd edition of the festival opened". But in reality the opening ceremony had a completely different content, different location and different schedule. Even, as always, it was broadcast live on KTV.
The call of the chairman of the BIK Council in Prizren
But for the Council of the Islamic Community in Prizren, "DokuFest" is anti-value. This religious institution has called for protest.
"Invitation against 'DokuFest'. Not with our money, no state financial support! On Friday, at 14:00, in the 'Shatërvan' square, we meet together to raise our voice against 'DokuFest', pro-family. Come on, let's respond positively to the organizers' invitation", wrote Besim Berisha, the head of the Council of the Islamic Community in Prizren, on Facebook.
The protest has been called for 14:00 immediately after the prayer ceremony that Muslim women perform on Friday. And in the Mosque of Sinan Pasha - the central mosque of Prizren - imam Orhan Bislimaj in his lecture between prayers has enumerated the reasons why evil must be fought, alluding to "DokuFest".
"The vigilant citizens of our city have seen and judged it reasonable to raise their voices against a degeneration, a festival with the unique name 'DokuFest', which has been serving our city for 22 years. It is not in question only this year that Paskaan has displayed a degenerate, perverse anti-value image or culture. Honestly, for many years and for every year, we have had reactions from the citizens. They told us what kind of films are being shown, films with low motives, perverts, horror", he said to the believers. This year, according to the imam, marked the peak.
"This year was the culmination of the degenerate show that happened not far from the Mosque of Sinan Pasha and not far from these 40 minarets of the city of Prizren. It is not enough that only imams stand up against these degenerate vices", he said. He has called to raise his voice against an evil.
"Let's fight evil, let's fight degeneration...", he said. Despite the fact that he is an imam and previously said that degeneration is happening not far from 40 minarets, according to him, the protest has no religious color.
"We have an obligation from God to raise our voice against any negative phenomenon. Today, vigilant citizens have called a protest in 'Shatërvan' square. It is not a religious, political or party protest. It has only one color: against the degeneration that the 'DokuFest' festival has brought to Prizren. We have supported it and will strongly support it, that active citizenship should be supported against evil", he said.
After the prayer ceremony ended, a significant number of believers joined the protest. They had such a high opinion of Mllefi that even journalists could not stand among them. Journalist Vullnet Krasniqi was physically forced to leave the crowd. In this case, a call for a peaceful protest was made from the balcony of the Sinan Pasha Mosque. The statement of protest was also read from that space.
"The festival in recent years culminated with perverse and erotic public performances. As a citizen of Prizren, we declare that the displayed performance does not coincide with our tradition and culture. These deeds are not a reflection of any city in Kosovo and even less of the capital of Albania, Prizren", read one of the organizers. According to him, such performances are nothing but degeneration.
"We are aware of the touristic impact that such an organization has. But the risk of degeneration does not justify any material gain. We invite the organizers to reflect on the following years and avoid such organizations. If today's protest falls on deaf ears, we will approach with other democratic means", read one of the organizers. Then the call was made: "Yes to culture, not to degeneration". Shortly after that, they started chanting "Allahu akbar".
"Peaches" performed in her own style and for the causes she fights for. All her performances - now three decades - have a common denominator: human rights (Photo: "DokuFest")
Nurkollari: "The festival is committed to human rights"
But "DokuFest" goes beyond "Peaches". Also beyond those who have gathered to protest against the festival. It is the biggest event of this kind in the country and also in the Balkans. It is an official partner of the Cannes festival. With 8 categories this year, under the theme that examines artificial intelligence, it shows documentary films that bring stories from all over the globe. Human rights, as always, are at the center. The headlines of the world's prestigious media, such as "Dokufest brings the world to Prizren" have become commonplace. And the southern city has entered the map of the world of cinematography because of this festival, which was founded here 22 years ago. The financial impact is known: Millions enter Prizren during the week of the festival. This has been proven since more than a decade ago. According to a study by the GAP Institute, in 2011, "DokuFest" had a direct economic impact of 3.1 million euros, and if consumption expenses are included in the calculation, then the annual impact is 3.8 million euros. At that time, GAP calculated that the economic impact of "DokuFest" for a period of 4 years is expected to be 17.5 million euros. But above all "DokuFest" is spirit.
Veton Nurkollari, co-founder and artistic director of "DokuFest", said that he saw the protest as unnecessary.
"Based on the information they have, they are incorrect and half correct, alluding that the performance of 'Peaches' was at the opening of the festival and everyone had access to it." The performance was after midnight, with tickets, and we tried to create all the conditions so that those under the age of 18 do not enter", said Nurkollari. According to him, there may be other reasons why the protest was organized.
"I think that it has caused harm to the city of the festival. But we are a democratic country and we are not against protests. The only concern is the violence, like the one against the journalist, which should not have happened", he said. According to Nurkollar, the language used for protest calls is not the one that should be used by the president of the Council of the Islamic Community in Prizren, "but this is theirs".
"We are comfortable in what we do and this festival is committed to human rights. Our commitment is not selective about the rights of one person or another. We have special categories of films about human rights", said Nurkollari.
"As a Muslim, I am sorry that this protest was held at the request of BIK"
Dardan Selimaj is one of those who has known the festival closely for years. Covered it as a journalist. Selimaj, manager at the Kosovo Philharmonic and organizer of cultural events for two decades, has said that the fact that this protest comes as a call from the BIK Council in Prizren is dangerous and its deviation in the future may be unpredictable . According to him, the protest as such should be opposed, because in a secular state the rule of what should happen and what should not happen is determined by state institutions and not by religious communities.
"As a citizen of this country, but also as a Muslim, I am sorry that this protest was held at the call of BIK. Calls like these can only be expected from fundamentalists. Today they mix in cultural events and tomorrow who knows what can be projected by groups with such convictions", said Selimaj. According to him, BIK should distance itself from what happened in Prizren. "I believe that the Kosovar society will be able to overcome such provocations", he said.
The provocations of "Peaches" have been surpassed in many places where she has performed, showing the causes for the rights of marginalized communities. But in Prizren, her performance has caused a considerable number of citizens to stand up against "DokuFest". And in this case, it is up to them to stand up against the city itself, since this festival has brought the name of Prizren to the whole globe.
