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Wilmering: Prishtina’s Architecture can not be found in the Balkans and not even in the world

Prishtina’s architecture can not be found anywhere in the world. This is how Antonie Wilmering of the “Keeping it Modern” Foundation for the National Library Conservation, who is participating in the Architecture Festival in Prishtina, said.
In an interview for Ndërtimi.info, Wilmering said that Prishtina is a lucky city to have such modern architecture buildings.
“Two days are not enough to make a full impression on architecture in Prishtina, but what I saw the National Library is the jewel of modern architecture in Prishtina, as well as the Palace of Youth and Sports, which was unfortunately partially burned years ago, these are really gems of modern architecture and I think the city of Prishtina is fortunate enough to have such good and preserved library. There is no such architecture in the Balkans or in the world, so this is a quite special place“, says Wilmering.
On his participation in the festival he was impressed with the work of the whole team and in particular with the director of the festival, Bekim Ramku.
“I think Bekim Ramku, who is organizing the festival, is doing a wonderful job, he is in tune about what is happening with architecture today, has many connections, and is able to invite specialists from Switzerland, Austria, USA. He invited me to come and talk about “Keeping it modern” which is the grant initiative that has funded the National Library’s Conservation and Management plan, so I have a pretty good impression”, he says.
Based on the country’s past, Wilmering says he can not judge whether Prishtina is chaotic or not.
“I think every city, especially in Europe, has always had a historical center and then has organically grown around it for centuries. After the war, in each state, if you see Europe after World War II and other wars, after such dramatic events, people begin to rebuild and there is not always a pure regulation when it happens because people are eager to feel safe, build houses and move on. So I can understand the construction that is constant in the edges of Prishtina.I can not say whether it is chaotic or not because I have not seen it all”, he adds.
Asked if Pristina resembles to any other European city, he says he can not make a direct comparison, because according to him, Prishtina has its own unique character, but if he’d have to make an assumption, he says that Pristina may be a mix between an Italian city and Ankara.
And finally, Wilmering highlighted how Kosovars are ready to move forward and build, despite the painful history.
“This place has history, though some of its parts are not good, but people are ready to move forward and you can see it anywhere. Pristina has a lot of energy and that’s amazing”, continued Wilmering.
The National Library’s conservation exhibition is continuing to remain open during the festival’s week./ndertimi.info/
