Memories of Pain: How street art copes with painful past and beautiful future

Each of us when driving through the city or streets, usually glances at advertisements or at various pictures and interesting buildings around us. But when you look at them from another perspective, things are different,of course. Especially if it is the city of Prizren, which is very "mysterious" and hides a deep past behind it.  

• Exploring the murals in Prizren 
• Looking at them from a different perspective 

It changed my view of the world forever. The feelings that awakened in me then, were so strong and intense that I will never forget them. I felt like a tourist lost in the beauty of every painted piece, from small details to great works of art. 

The stories behind every painted art on the walls of the city are different. 

As I slowly walked past the painted walls , I noticed that the colors were vivid and strong, with deep tones and beautiful details that completely captivated me.I was amazed at the way the artists managed to express their ideas and feelings through the pictures they painted.I was impressed not only by the artists' creativity, but also by the strength and depth of their messages. As I lingered longer and longer,I began to notice more and more details and nuances that I initially missed. Joy and inspiration were evoked in me, which encouraged me to feel better and to appreciate the beauty of the world around me more.  

Astrit Dehari, "We will never forget" 

One of the most impressive murals that caught my eye is a work of art that is both an expression of memory and respect for one of the most prominent human rights activists and calls for the continuation of the fight for freedom and justice in Kosovo. It is a portrait of Astrit Dehari and the message "We will never forget" written in Albanian language. The work of art, which stretches across the wall in a length of several meters, is striking in its simplicity and clear message.     

When I first saw the mural, I felt very proud. As someone who was born and raised in Prizren, I know how passionate people in this city are in the fight for freedom and rights of all people. Astrit Dehari was a such person, whose life was dedicated to the struggle for freedom and equality. 

The image of his face on the mural, looking into the distance, lets me know that the dreams and hopes he fought for are still alive, but at the same time, it reminds me of the price he paid for his ideals. 

On the municipality building, Prizren

The work that did not leave me indifferent, is a mural on the wall on the municipality building of Prizren. The girl in the picture represents the Albanian costume and reminds us of the importance of preserving tradition and cultural heritage.   

When I passed by this mural, it reminded me how important it is to nurture and preserve our traditional customs. The mural was beautifully painted and the girl was depicted in the full splendor of her traditional costume, with all the details in place. In today's world, which changes so quickly, we sometimes forget about these values and treat tradition as something that belongs to the past. But this mural proves that tradition is still alive and has its place in the modern world.   

 

Therefore, my sincere recommendation is :  

If you visit Prizren, do not miss the opportunity to visit these beautiful murals and get acquainted with the creativity, community and rich cultural heritage of this city.  

Arnela Ljimani

❤