Embassy Supports Slovak Photographer's Graphic Depiction of Kosovo Hardships

November 7, 2008

Angered at the widely held view of his countrymen to blindly support Serbs because they are “brother Slavs,” Slovak photographer Andrej Ban assembled a book of photography and a stunning exhibit at Dom Umenia, Namestie SNP, from photos taken over ten years and 40 trips to Kosovo. Embassy Bratislava supported the exhibit, which runs through the end of November, with a grant. Because he did not believe only one side could be right, Ban set out to document the life of all who call Kosovo their home: Kosovar Albanians, Serbs, Roma and other minorities. The result is a balanced portrait of a country that needs support from its neighbors in trying to create a multi-ethnic society with respect for all citizens. In his words, Ban saw villains become victims and victims become villains, and exhorts fellow Slovaks to look closely at Kosovo’s painful story. The exhibit opening on November 4 was attended by about 100 people and covered by wire services and Internet media.