07.10.2023

On October 7, 2023, Artpolis convened its Membership Assembly in Prishtina. This gathering provided a remarkable occasion for engaging with fellow community members, artists, and activists, and gaining insights into Artpolis’ dedication to artistic activism. Additionally, the assembly served as a platform for exchanging experiences and brainstorming strategies to advance feminist activism through the medium of art.

The founder and executive director of Artpolis, Zana Hoxha, who was not physically present at this event, conveyed her gratitude to the participants through a letter, underscoring the significance of their collective dedication to social equality.

“Feminism guides the work of Artpolis, and a belief in gender equality drives our mission. Art serves as our instrument for change, challenging norms and advocating for a world where every individual, regardless of gender, enjoys equal opportunities. As we gather here, let’s reflect on the journey that has brought us together. Over the years, Artpolis has evolved into a dynamic force, thanks to the collective efforts of our members. Your enthusiasm, creativity, and unwavering support have been the driving forces behind our successes. Today, we celebrate Artpolis’s achievements and acknowledge that challenges lie ahead. However, we also recognize that our collective strength and determination can overcome any obstacle,” said Hoxha.

Edona Krasniqi, the Director of Grant Giving at the Kosovo Foundation for Civil Society (KCSF), Igballe Rogova-Igo, the Executive Director of the Kosovo Women’s Network (RgK), Valdete Idrizi, who holds the position of Director of Culture, Youth, and Sports at the Municipality of Mitrovica, as well as Aurita Agushi, an Actress and a Board Member of Artpolis, all spoke about the significance of Artpolis and the support it receives.

Edona Krasniqi emphasized the importance of institutional grants in enhancing the capacities of civil society organizations. Artpolis, with the support of KCSF, has experienced remarkable growth and expansion.

The chairperson of Kosova Women Network, Igo Rogova, emphasized the artistic strength of Artpolis’ feminist commitment, with particular emphasis on the professional performances and forum theater presentations and the FemArt Festival.

Meanwhile, Valdete Idrizi highlighted the tireless efforts of Artpolis and its extraordinary determination to effect positive changes, which are greatly needed in our society. According to her, the energy, collaboration, and sustainability demonstrated by Artpolis over the years serve as a source of inspiration.

Actress and Artpolis board member, Aurita Agushi, emphasized that her involvement with the organization has enriched her both spiritually and professionally. She particularly highlighted the impact of Artpolis in helping her gain a more precise understanding of feminist activism and engaged art.

In addition to the speeches, a relaxation session for the participants at the Assembly was led by the actress from the Artpolis Ensemble, Qendresa Kajtazi, boosting everyone’s energy.

After the speeches, it was time to showcase Artpolis’s dedication and the legacy of the FemArt Festival over the years. Two Artpolis staff members, Berat Bajrami and Butrint Pasha, handled this segment.

In this Assembly, the new membership policies were also introduced by the project manager at Artpolis, Nertila Qarri-Gërguri, who facilitated the Assembly’s proceedings.

The first assembly of Artpolis concluded with the distribution of membership cards.

This activity was conducted by Artpolis with support from the Kosovo Foundation for Civil Society (KCSF) program ‘EJA Kosovo,’ which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Sweden, and the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

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