AT THE ANNUAL PAGAN FESTIVAL ON AUGUST 1ST, ON THE TOP OF LUBOTEN, ON THE SHARR MOUNTAIN, ITS PROTAGONISTS – ARTISTS OF THE CARTON SALON OF THE “HITHI” KOSOVA ASSOCIATION WITH THEIR CARTOON EXHIBITION
By Imri MUSLIU
This pagan celebration of the spiritual encounter of man with nature in its lap, in Kosovo, is a centuries-old ritual and tradition now renewed for its inhabitants and not only, as offered by its biodiversity, which is quite rich in the Mediterranean climate that the White Drin Valley also offers, etc. Especially in these climatic conditions, the Sharr Mountains and the Albanian Alps are the two most important areas of biodiversity with a very rich flora and fauna, which many see with the eye of a botanist, others because of the timber and secondary products with medical plants that the forest offers, some as a researcher of the fauna and birds that hide even the smallest as a shelter and nest, as well as for the protection of legendary warriors during historical battles. But most of them, especially artists, see the mountains and their forests as living and tangible fantastic enviornments from which they set on the path of creation, like mountain streams and rivers, myths, fairy tales, legends. As a great spirit that overwhelms and inspires, but also hurts in these days, when forests, this great human treasure, are threatened with loss due to annual fires, which have already become a phenomenon, where critics like cartoonists find interesting motifs for their creativity. For this reason, their association “HiThi” Carton Salon Kosova joined this celebration, with the aim of making people more sensitive to nature, the environment and its protection, which we talk a lot about but do little about, its protection with its unique flora and fauna, through activities such as the opening of a mobile cartoon exhibition on the peak of Luboten, with the theme of nature, which speaks the language of birds, which is the recommended theme for this year’s International Competetion a the 11th Festival of Humor and Satire, which is traditionally held in the city of Ferizaj at the end of September.
The artists have three goals, observing the forest with its treasures and inhabitants through the eyes of an environmentalist. The first goal is to make this great national treasure and its vital importance as widely known as possible, making people more aware and sensitive to it. Secondly, to draw attention of the government, local governments, and relevant decision-making institutions to take a position in accordance with the laws for protection of nature and the environment. And third, looking at ourselves with a sense of responsibility and critical eye, what more can we do with our work for Mother Nature as her children. According to the encyclopedia, the Sharr Mountains are home to 86 vascular plants of international importance, while the Albanian Alps contain around 128 endemic species. The flora is represented by 139 orders classified into 63 families, 35 genera and 20 species. This is of great importance for the entire Balkan region, although Kosovo represents only 2.3% of the total area of the region, but with vegetation conditions it represents 25% of the Balkan flora and about 18% of the European one. Kosovo’s high mountains make it ideal for the growth of many wildlife species. The rivers and lakes of Kosovo are home to salmon, trout, eel, gudgeon, catfish, carp, small catfish and herring. The southern part, especially Sharr (Dragash), is home to the Illyrian Deltari dog breed, kept by most people living in the country, in the western part of the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania. Kosovo’s fauna consists of a wide range of different species due to its relief, ecological factors, and geographical location. The forests with the greatest diversity are the Sharr Mountains, the Albanian Alps. Kopaonik and Mokna. There are a total of eleven nature reserves throughout Kosovo and they are a good habitat for species such as: Brown Bear – Ursus arctos, Lynx, Wild Goat – Rupicapra rupicapra etc. In such forested areas, you will also find an endless number of birds and mountain birds, from eagles, falcons, goshawks, wild chickens and forest chickens, short-tailed jays, pheasant, storks, woodpeckers, blackbirds, nightingales in the summer, larks, etc., where they breed and find the forest an ideal place for their nests and life. But the peace of the forests and their inhabitants has recently been disturbed, as we have seen from short film chronicles on television screens, and their lives are threatened by extinction, especially by massive annual fires, illegal logging and indiscriminate exploitation of forest areas for timber, etc. The data and facts are shocking and our Association for Humor and Satire joins the concern of public opinion, but also the call of the Kosovo Forestry Agency, to stand up for the protection of the environment and this wealth.
Cartoons, as a special type of visual arts, have long targeted such evil phenomena and events as today’s mass fires and uncritical exploitation of forests for timber according to the laws. But we see and feel that more criticism is needed about the protection of the environment with our tools and art. Morever, the birds of the forest were the first to give their feathers for writing, but also for sketching the first drawings and caricatures, in addition to their wonderful song, symbols, etc., for which we are very grateful, in addition to the great services they provide to the forest, seen through the eyes of biologists. Such an attitude towards environmental protection is a duty for us as artists and we cannot agree with the situation, the indifference of the competent institutions, local governments, etc., just because the caricature is a true opposition to the executive and legislative authorities (although this does not always happen for the sake of progress). It is even said that “cartoonists, not historians, write the true history”, and this is more than true, because we are witnessing major manipulations of the history of nations, and all this for the incredible reason, as life has shown, that history is written by the “winners”! This discrepancy between what history says and the caricature is clearly noticeable when comparing the data of both for the same historical periods…
In order to realize such a stance on the environment, the HiTHi cartoonists’ association did not accidentally open its next exhibition on the peak of Luboten on the occassion of this festivity. This is not an escape from galleries and urban spaces, but rather a symbolism that sometimes even art must rebel and “go out into the mountains”, to show that resistance can be exercised differently. This has been proven especially in recent years when even in countries where devastating wars are being fought with the most modern weapons of the time, caricature not only survives, but also grows. For this reason, the 11th festival, with its bird symbol and logo, deals not only with environmental issues, but also with the protection of children and humanity from unjust wars, conveying the message of peace through the dove, olive branch and other artistic means that artists from all over the world have expressed in dozens of works in this already well-known competition worldwide.
Neither dictators nor wars have brought cartoons to their knees, and they cannot be eradicated even by those who indirectly try to discipline cartoonists”, censoring artists in various forms!
This is also our appeal to protect the planet with its beautiful nature and man as its son.
Translated by Fadil Bajraj
