I have the honour to be among you today, at this special evening, the premiere of the “Three windows and a hanging”, by the well known director Mr. Isa Qosja, which narrates the most difficult history of the war period, those of thousands of women and girls of Kosovo, who demand not only the collective awareness but also the responsibility we have to each other, as citizens of this country.
Honourable representatives of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo,
Honourable ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic missions in Kosovo,
Honourable artists,
Honourable film crew,
Honourable Mr. Qosja,
Honourable Friends;
I have the honour to be among you today, at this special evening, the premiere of the “Three windows and a hanging”, by the well known director Mr. Isa Qosja, which narrates the most difficult history of the war period, those of thousands of women and girls of Kosovo, who demand not only the collective awareness but also the responsibility we have to each other, as citizens of this country.
Harsh war stories are not easy to listen to, and less easier to accept. The histories of the victims of sexual violence during the war have so far been our greatest silence, as is their marginalization from society. Our running away from them is running away from the arduous truth, from the recognition of the grave injustice committed upon our most beloved ones, injustice which broke them apart and through them, broke us apart too.
Facing the truth, and above all, serving the justice for their cause, those who have two fold suffered the consequences of war, the violence of a 15 year long period of stigmatization- will manage to bring to them and to all of our society the peace and quiet which war unjustly took away from them.
The movie which we’re about to watch together gives voice, though actors and extraordinary directing of Isa Qosja, to many other silent voices of girls, women, our mothers and sisters. Gives voice to those who lived a whole life of pain and reminds us- as a society- that their place is here, with us.
We cannot change their past but we can make sure that their future is not determined by this bitter past, and the crime unjustly perpetrated upon them.
Dear Friends,
Tonight, we have all become one, together from all fields of life, to see this artistic work, which brings before us a not so distance period of our history, and which touches upon a particular subjects, untouched for many years. For this reason, our dedication to a healthy society, freedom of each citizen, is also our dedication to bring justice to these women and girls, and to raise awareness to the fact that sexual violence as a tool of war is banned and never again repeated, in any part of the world.
Tonight, we will be taking with us the disturbing story of women who has transformed her misfortune into strength. The heavy burden of the crime has not managed to break her pure soul. Her bravery, strength and love envisages the only truth about them- They are our Heroes.