Kosovo resounds in Paris with what is more than just an exhibition

“Art from Kosovo is a force that cannot be ignored,” says artist Sislej Xhafa, and he is right. Proof: the exhibition “Silent Threads, Kosovo Resounds” at the “Continua” gallery in Paris, curated by him. It has brought together the works of 15 artists and this, according to Xhafa, is not just an exhibition, “but a powerful statement about art that goes beyond the borders of a small country to participate in the global conversation.”

They are the works of a part of the new generation of contemporary artists from a small country that raise questions, reveal dilemmas and sometimes even make observations. They have joined the Paris branch of the “Continua” gallery network. Considering the history of Kosovo and its manifestation in the works of young creators, the art of this area often has a sharp, revolting perspective and above all is appreciated for its expressive power and messages. 

The works of 15 artists come together in the exhibition “Silent Threads, Kosovo Resounds” at the “Continua” gallery in Paris. Curated by Sislej Xhafa, one of the pioneers of contemporary art among Albanians, the exhibition brings together the echoes of the creators of the youngest state in Europe. 

As a project of Xhafa – a long-time collaborator of “Continua” – the gallery has opened its doors to the creations of Luan Bajraktari, Ariani Beqiri, Burim Berisha, Agron Blakçori, Jeton Gusija, Artan Hajrullahu, Blerta Hashani, Hatixhe Ibrahimi, Lumturie Krasniqi, Mimoza Liza, Petrit Maliqi, Brilant Milazimi, Valdrin Thaqi, Dardan Zhegrova and Ermir Zhinipotoku. Many of the works are the first in exhibitions within Kosovo. They reveal from the traditions of this area to the questions of existential planes of today. 

According to the announcement of the “Continua” gallery, the exhibition brings together 15 artists who are shaping the contemporary art scene of Kosovo. It is announced that the exhibition also reflects Sislej Xhafa’s continued commitment to promoting the art of his homeland, a commitment that he has actively pursued through the “Arkiv” contemporary art institute, founded in 2018 in Peja. 

“The artists featured in the exhibition offer a compelling reflection of Kosovo by connecting the pioneering generation of Sislej Xhafa with the younger generations. While their voices and socio-historical contexts are distinct, they have a successful convergence for dialogue, especially at the intersection of the international and the domestic…”, the announcement reads. It states that their works resonate with the experiences of youth in Kosovo, reflecting the challenges and dynamics along with efforts to shape the future of the nation artistically and politically. 

also Culture Supplement 21 o. before What is not seen

"The exhibition thus evokes the delicate but powerful connection that unites these artists, also alluding to Kosovo's isolation within the European context," the announcement reads. 

The exhibition’s curator, Sislej Xhafa, said that this presentation of artists from Kosovo in Paris is not simply an exhibition, “but a powerful statement about art that goes beyond the borders of a small country to participate in the global conversation.” According to him, Kosovo has gone through historical challenges and great transformations, and it is precisely this experience that makes its art powerful and unique.

“This exhibition does not aim to demand attention, but to impose it, showing that art from Kosovo is a force that cannot be ignored,” Xhafa told KOHËN. According to him, the selected artists represent not only the best of Kosovar creativity, but also the depth and courage to challenge norms. “Each work in this exhibition is not a decorative detail, but a clear act of attitude and identity. Their artistic integrity and the messages they convey are proof that true art knows no compromise. This collective represents a new and fresh voice, but also a tradition rooted in deep human experiences,” he said.

According to Xhafa, the exhibition is a call to reflect on identity, belonging and transformation. He said that these artists do not seek to explain or justify themselves, they speak through their art and each work is an act of communication that transcends the barriers of language and culture. “This is not just an exhibition from Kosovo. It is an invitation to see the world from a new and bold perspective. With this project, Kosovo affirms itself as a center of contemporary art and its artists prove that art is not simply a universal language, it is a powerful tool to influence and transform the way we understand humanity. This is power, this is art”, said Xhafa.

Believing in the transformative power of art, the creator Burim Berisha has among his works the cycle "The Unknown Soldier". In Paris, at the exhibition opened on the 24th of this month, which will remain there until March 19, he has sent two sculptures from this cycle. 

also Culture 26 under 2025 The Academy Fund follows the diagonal of art history in Kosovo

The "unknown soldier" in Berisha's concept brings to mind the contribution of unknown heroes as well as the misuse of the name of heroes in various political situations. 

"I try to highlight the importance of monumental sculpture a little, by creating some imaginary figures 'personal heroes' for personal use. In this way, I tried to raise attention and the importance of not misusing heroic figures," he said. In his concept, this cycle is a commentary on the commodification of history, where important figures surface only in times of need and are then discarded after their value has been extracted.

Meanwhile, Luan Bajraktari, who lives in Vienna, is pictured with a bronze wallet and five strips of sausage drying in the traditional way. 

The work is titled “Taste Accident.” The sausage is bronze and the wood it hangs on comes from his family home and has been used for 20 years for precisely this function – drying meat and sausage.  

also Culture October 8, 2025 Agreements with artists and organizations in the spirit of the election campaign

“Taking inspiration from forms deeply rooted in his personal space and childhood, Luan Bajraktari reimagines them through different materials, seeking to discover their deeper significance,” the concept for the work reads. In the exhibition, the work is presented with what are seen as objects that were once filled with emotional connections through memory, use or inheritance and now transcend their functional roles to inhabit a new conceptual space. 

“The work invites reflection, encouraging a heightened awareness of one’s surroundings and the layers of meaning within familiar forms,” reads the concept for the work, where heritage and identity intersect. There are many such intersections in the 15th exhibition in Paris, which greatly intersects art from different cultures. And now, for two months, some works by young Kosovars have also been leading the way at this global crossroads. Because, as Sislej Xhafa says, “this is power, this is art.”