IN-PERSON Lisbon Livable Cities. Section B

Abstract

Almost every family in Kosovo has at least one member living abroad. People have migrated for various reasons—economic, political, personal, and more. Migrants have contributed significantly to Kosovo—not only to the well-being of their families but also to their country of origin. Their contributions include building sports fields and recreational spaces for youth, preserving cultural heritage, participating in village clean-up initiatives, purchasing garbage bins, promoting their homeland, and more. Although they may not live in their home country year-round, migrants strive to remain connected through various forms of activism. This presentation will focus on several case studies, highlighting the role of migrants as activists in different villages across Kosovo. It will explore how they have organized themselves and what it truly means to invest in one’s homeland. Has distance made them feel even closer to their country? What messages do they wish to pass on to their children? Has the country they migrated to inspired them to better preserve cultural heritage and the cultural landscape? Through interviews with migrants, we will seek to understand the answers to these questions.