On the eve of Kosovo’s Independence Day, Rexhep Selimi, a former member of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), opened the exhibition “In the name of freedom” at COD, with 153 paintings made during his stay in the custody of the Special Court in The Hague.

Prime Minister Edi Rama was also present at the opening ceremony of the exhibition, who said that “I joined this idea with great pleasure and I am glad that the family of Rexhep Selimi, one of the four commanders of the KLA, is here today unjustly jailed, a destiny marked by burdens greater than themselves. A burden they took on when they were very young and were forced to carry it until the end, regardless of whether this burden comes as a choice or as the inability to choose otherwise.”

The head of the government stated that, “it is not an exhibition of an artist, but of a man who in the imposed isolation has found the path of creation, which in my view is a path of prayer”.

Rama emphasized that “the exploration of this area in conditions of dramatic isolation, such as the one in The Hague, and then the generosity to share this exploration with others, are truly touching and it is a privilege for us here that we were given this opportunity. The history of Kosovo is inextricably linked with the history of the KLA and I am very glad that we become the hosts of this series of events, for which, you are charged without asking for it and without obtaining their approval in advance, so as to keep the approval for the creation of this main event with dignity until the end”.

Prime Minister Rama expressed all his solidarity with the families and comrades of the KLA.

/a.s./