Dateline ACT

Kosovo Photo Feature

Looking for everyday life in Mitrovica

"Depicting the horrors of the conflicts within Mitrovica was really not important to me. Rather I wanted to depict everyday life - to me a much harder task," explains Danish photographer Rune Pedersen.

During January-February he spent three weeks in the divided town of Mitrovica, Kosovo. Mitrovica is a run down industrial town in northern Kosovo. Years of conflict has divided the town in parts inhabited by Kosovo Albanians, Serbs and a small group of Roma (gypsies) now displaced to camps.

"I made friends on all sides of the divides in Mitrovica and I spent a lot of time drinking strong coffee and smoking cigarettes, even that I'm not a smoker, talking about worries and hopes for the future."

"Sharing and listening was for me as important as the photography itself. On the surface everyday life goes on as usual and it takes time to try to dig deep and try to understand the underlying conflicts."

ACT Kosovo sponsored Rune Pedersen's stay in Mitrovica. The pictures shown on this site were subsequently used at the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) in Prague, Czech Republic, where Rune Pedersen is a student.

ACT International has been working in Kosovo and in other parts of FRY and the Balkans since the beginning of the Kosovo conflict. For a status on programs please go to the NEWS section.

Rune Pedersen's pictures are going to be on exhibition in Copenhagen, Denmark in the fall/winter. The pictures can be made available for members of ACT International.

Photo credit (all pictures):
Rune Pedersen/ACT International.

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