Since publishing Under A Feathered Sky in 2020, I’ve been on the radar of various news organisations in Kosovo. The occasional call to join a programme to comment on a major event in the ongoing situation between Kosovo and Serbia followed.
When I went out to Kosovo in March this year, everything seemed to change. The book had been translated into Albanian and suddenly, overnight, the people of Kosovo were able to access its content.
After appearing on two TV programmes while in Kosovo to promote the book, I thought that would be that.
But the presenters at Klan Kosova had other ideas. Since March, I have appeared regularly on their flagship lunchtime programme, Kosova Today.
Hosted by Jehona and Kron, seasoned journalists who always manage to ask the right questions, I have shared my thoughts on defence related events, the role of the EU in Kosovo and, in my latest appearance, talking about the protests in Serbia and what it means for Europe’s newest country.
Appearing on a programme that is entirely in Albanian throws up some interesting challenges, not least getting used to simultaneous translation. In my case, Bruno, whom I’ve never met but is an expert in his craft, keeps me pretty much up to speed with what’s being said in the studio. But there’s always a moment’s pause when the questioner stops talking and the translator hasn’t quite phrased the question in English.
At first, I was very self conscious about this ‘dead air’. I was convinced that the audience would think I was a bit slow, pausing for a few seconds to find an answer.
However, I really was overthinking it; the audience was used to non Albanian speakers joining the daily programme. Once explained to me, I felt reassured!
And then there is the occasional feedback. Earlier this month, while speaking on the programme, I received a WhatsApp message from a friend who lives in London but was on holiday in Kosovo, and who happened to have the programme on in his house…
I hope I continue to be asked to contribute to Klan Kosova’s coverage of geopolitical events in the Western Balkans. If I can bring an international perspective to a country under pressure from friend and foe alike, then I feel like I’m adding some value.
Ade Clewlow MBE 