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The Lipa Family’s Game-Changing Initiative for Kosovo’s Global Standing

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Image Credit: The New York Times

In a move poised to reshape the global perception of Kosovo, Dua Lipa and her father Dukagjin have launched the Sunny Hill Festival in their hometown of Pristina. This initiative is aimed at changing the narrative surrounding the region, traditionally viewed through the lens of conflict rather than cultural vibrancy.

Dua Lipa, a British pop star with roots in Kosovo, has expressed a strong desire to alter how the world views her homeland. “I want to change the rhetoric of what people think about Kosovo and it being war-torn,” Dua stated earlier this year. Her vision for the Sunny Hill Festival is a significant step in this direction.

The festival, which first took place in 2018, marks a significant milestone for Kosovo, a region that declared its independence from Serbia in 2008. Despite its declaration, some countries, including Serbia, have not recognized Kosovo’s sovereignty. The region’s tumultuous past, including a devastating war in the late 1990s that resulted in over 10,000 casualties, has long overshadowed its cultural and artistic potential.

Dukagjin Lipa, Dua’s father and a key figure in the festival’s creation, had long dreamt of establishing such an event in Pristina. “Reinstating the country took more years than we’d liked,” Dukagjin reflects. His aspiration for Sunny Hill has been fueled by his extensive experience in the live music industry, and the festival’s inception was a dream come true for him and his daughter.

The inaugural Sunny Hill Festival in 2018, which was headlined by Dua Lipa herself, was a landmark event for Kosovo. It attracted tens of thousands of attendees and marked a significant cultural moment for the country. Despite initial challenges in persuading international artists to perform in Kosovo, Dua’s connections helped bring major acts such as Miley Cyrus and Calvin Harris to the festival in subsequent years.

Dukagjin Lipa acknowledges that the festival has significantly improved its reputation among global artists and their management teams. “We do punch way above our weight when it comes to the line-up,” he told BBC News. He emphasizes the quality of the festival’s production, noting that while certain luxuries might be limited, the technical standards are exceptional.

Recent estimates suggest that approximately 40% of Sunny Hill’s visitors come from outside Kosovo, reflecting the influence of the country’s diaspora and the festival’s growing international appeal. Attendees have traveled from as far as Chicago to witness performances by renowned artists such as Bebe Rexha, Burna Boy, Stormzy, and DJ Snake. Other notable acts, including Groove Armada, Black Coffee, and Griff, also featured prominently on the festival’s lineup.

Kosovo’s youthful population, with more than half under the age of 30, has been a significant factor in the festival’s success. Travel restrictions in the past had limited the ability of local musicians to perform across Europe. For local artist La Fazani, Sunny Hill has provided invaluable exposure. “Sunny Hill is one of the greatest generators of a positive image of Kosovo,” La Fazani said. He hopes the festival will continue to offer opportunities for local talent to gain recognition and advance their careers.

As the festival continues to grow, Dukagjin Lipa is mindful of the challenges ahead. Despite the festival’s success, he acknowledges that reaching the status of iconic events like Glastonbury remains a formidable task. “Glastonbury is one of a kind,” he notes, recognizing the ambitious nature of his project. However, industry insiders, including Coachella owner Paul Tollett, have drawn parallels between Sunny Hill and Glastonbury’s early days, offering a hopeful perspective on its future.

Looking ahead, Dukagjin Lipa envisions Sunny Hill evolving beyond a music festival. Plans are underway to incorporate workshops and initiatives that will foster cultural exchange and industry networking. “I love artists who spend a day or two longer in Pristina and have a chance to meet local artists and share ideas,” he explains. The goal is to create a dynamic platform that supports not only musical performances but also creative collaborations and industry development.

The Sunny Hill Festival represents a pivotal moment for Kosovo, offering a fresh and positive narrative about the region. Through the efforts of Dua Lipa and Dukagjin Lipa, the festival has become a beacon of cultural revival and international engagement. As Kosovo continues to navigate its post-conflict identity, Sunny Hill stands as a testament to the country’s resilience and potential on the global stage.

This story was originally featured on BBC