Kosovo | Independence Day

Ambassador Lirim Greiçevci greets the Ambassador of Slovenia, Tadej Rupel

Kosovo rakia fuelled the celebrations

Ambassador Greiçevci and the Ambassador of Albania Qirjako Qirko

Jim Spurrell, DRC Ambassador Marie Ndjeka Opombo and outgoing Austrian Ambassador Martin Eichtinger

Ambassador Greiçevci looks back with pride over the last 10 years

Karen Pierce received a warm welcome

Kuwait Ambassador and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Khaled Al Duwaisan, DRC Ambassador Marie Ndjeka Opombo and the Ambassador of Sweden Torbjörn Sohlström

Opera star Marigona Qerkezi delivered a pitch perfect performance

Embassy magazine editor Elizabeth Stewart and the Ambassador of Montenegro Borislav Banović

Opera singer Ramë Lahaj brought the evening to a rousing close

A decade of freedom
Kosovo marked a decade of independence with an evening celebrating the country’s many accomplishments in a short space of time. Ambassador Lirim Greiçevci pointed out that Kosovo has won a gold medal at the Olympics, produced singing stars like Rita Ora and has, to chuckles from the crowd, “furnished three European national football teams with top footballers”.
Remembering the day the declaration of independence was first read, he said: “People were cheering, dancing and singing in the streets. Independence was never a fancy label for us. It’s the only way to protect our hard-won freedoms.”
Guest of Honour Karen Pierce, who was heading to the UN as the UK’s Permanent Representative told the audience: “A number of people have told me I must make sure Kosovo can be admitted as a member of the United Nations. I will do my best.”
PHOTOS: PIERRE DE VILLIERS