Freedom Fest on Pristine Year

Pristine in Prishtina
On the 12th and 13th of June 2009, in Prishtin묠Kosovo, was held the first edition of “Freedom Fest”, a musical festival celebrating FREEDOM. The festival was organized on the tenth anniversary of the signature of a hostilities’ cessation agreement and the departure of Serbian troops from Kosovo, It is expected to take place annually and bring to Prishtin롲enowned contemporary musicians and bands as well as local stars.
“Up to now we have seen how other capitals welcome and see off great world singers and performers. And we had to applaud before the TV screen with envy. Today, those 15-agers, that were only 5 years old in 1999 [this is the year when following the NATO military campaign, Kosovo was liberated from Serbian army and police], are offered the chance to have their idols descended from the wall, and watch them live.” – writes Milot Hasimja, art and culture editor, on the pages of Express (15.06.2009). “To these youngsters and to the middle generation should be offered the chance to experience the culture of a festival.” – writes Hasimja, revealing shortages that he hopes to be overcome in the next, the 2010 edition, of the “Freedom Fest”. “The ice of isolation was fended with hip-hop star, 50 Cent’ former concert in Prishtina” – opinioned aforehead Fatmir Abdyli (Express, 12.06.2009).
In the inaugural edition a wide range of artists performed on the scene: Method Man & Redman from the USA, Zenzile from France, Banco de Gaya and Oddur from UK, Gus Gus from Iceland, Blla Blla Blla from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as well as local bands and singers, Asgj롳ikur Dielli (Nothing like the Sun), Kaos, DJ Blunt, Bimm Bimma, Mc Kresha, Ufo, Fucktura, Panda, Shpat Deda, Ilir Bajri, OM Quartet, TEK, Zig Zag Orchestra, The Glasses and Utility. Spasulati coming from Italy is described as descendant of the old Albanian settlers in Italy, known as the Arb쳥sh련Express, 11.06.2009). The Festival was organized by Urban FM and took place at the auto-park ARENA at the outskirts of Prishtina. Hundreds of fans and enthusiasts attended the performances.(Tirana Times Staff)