Twenty-Five Years After the Kosovo War: “REPORTING HOUSE” Exhibition Chronicles the Last European War of the 20th Century
Marking twenty-five years since the end of the Kosovo War, the REPORTING HOUSE exhibition offers a comprehensive insight into the conflict that shaped the conclusion of the 20th century in Europe. Presented by BIRN Kosovo, KALLXO.com, the Prishtina Biennale, and Paper Gallery, the exhibition brings together the work of journalists and photographers, along with historical artifacts from the war era.
More than just a historical archive, REPORTING HOUSE integrates contemporary art pieces that reflect on the lasting impact of war, bridging the past with present narratives. Through powerful visuals, testimonies, and artistic interpretations, the exhibition seeks to engage visitors in a thought-provoking dialogue on the consequences of war, the role of journalism in conflict zones, and the importance of preserving truth.
This unique showcase stands as a tribute to those who documented history, ensuring that the stories of Kosovo’s war and its aftermath remain remembered and understood by future generations.
The project was initiated by Jeta Xharra, Executive Director of BIRN Kosovo, a renowned journalist and the museum’s producer. Drawing from her experience reporting on the war for BBC (1997–1999), when she worked as a “fixer” and later local producer, Xharra led the effort to digitize 30 hours of international media coverage on Kosovo.
“Twenty-five years after the war, it’s time to pack the nineties into a museum and not keep living in them. It is also time to create a common, balanced and inclusive narrative about what happened and what better way to do it than through what international media reported in this era. It is also important to preserve the memory of the civilians struggle and civilian resistance that is embedded in our culture. Our country has been lacking a modern museum, which, without pathos, commemorates the contributions of the civilian population to the freedom Kosovo enjoys today.”
Jeta Xharra, Speaking to the Europe House Kosovo
Housed in the formerly widely known as the “Gërmia” Department Store situated in the Skandërbeg Square in Pristina, the unique “Reporting House” was opened in Pristina in June 2024. The museum’s mission is to recount the country’s contemporary history by covering events from 1989 to the end of 1999, spanning from peaceful resistance to armed struggle, culminating in Kosovo’s liberation. The museum widely covers the violation of human rights in Kosovo throughout the nineties.
As part of this exhibition, around 150 television reports from international networks, filmed and broadcast about Kosovo between 1992 and 1999, are presented. These include reports from BBC, Das Erste (German public TV), Nippon TV, NHK (Japanese public TV), RTE (Irish public TV), EO 2 Vandaag (Dutch public TV), Tele 5 (Spanish TV), and Frontline Television News. These reports highlight the work of journalists, photographers, camera operators, translators, and local producers who contributed to them.
Contributors to this exhibition include Jeremy Bowen, Ben Brown, Ilaz Bylykbashi, Thomas Dvorzak, Alan Chin, Donika Shahini, Paul Lowe, Max Stahl, Ridvan Slivova, David Loyn, Jehona Lushaku, Besnik Mehmeti, Nik Millard, Andrew Testa, Pal S. Refsdal, Flaka Surroi, Hazir Reka, Marija Ristiq, Fred Scott, Eliza Hoxha, Vaughan Smith, Nora Weller, Sean Whelan, Goran Tomasevic, Sami Mustafa, Alban Bujari, Linda Gusia, Eki Rrahmani, Gazmend Avdiu, the Srebrenica Memorial Center, Anibar, Koha Ditore, RTK, and Oral History Kosovo.
The challenges faced by journalists during Kosovo’s war resonate today as they report on conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, and Ethiopia, often grappling with propaganda and the rise of social media misinformation.
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