Our Manifesto Page

Balkanism's Manifesto

The image above depicts two Blacksmiths in Prizren, Kosovo, 1913. All rights to the image belong with their respective owner.

Balkanism is a cultural, historical, social, archival, educational collective and publication. Our prime goal as a platform and collective is focused at improving interethnic relations in the Balkans and amongst their diaspora communities.
Balkanism was founded by Arbër Qerka-Gashi in 2020, a British born writer, researcher, curator and visual artist of Kosovar heritage.
Arbër serves as the Editor and Creative Director of Balkanism, working alongside Verica Petrović, a Belgrade-based book and magazine designer, researcher, illustrator, and artist who co-directs the platform. Verica also holds the role of senior designer for the annual Balkanism publication.
Through the volunteer Ambassador programme, individuals representing the rich diversity of Balkan identities, both from the region and the diaspora, have contributed and continue to contribute valuable content to the platform.
The current ambassadors include: Ardit Konjuhi, Tamara Vujinović, Rebecca Duras, Nada Temelkov, Mirza Duraković, Lejla Pepeljak, Matthew Kucamanić, and Merita Ljubanović.
We seek to establish bridges of respectful exchange with a progressive approach that entrenches transitional justice, responsibility, peace, and reconciliation.
Balkanism’s main function serves as a forum of educational resources, alongside the production of an annual publication with various events that engage the public and our audience regarding themes to do with Balkan identity and experience.

As a collective of both traditional and non-traditional researchers, we approach research through diverse methods, and exhibit a whole variety of topics, including different historical periods, artistic movements, religious and cultural traditions, issues to do with identity and more.
We produce the work we do on a voluntary basis, and currently work within a team of Balkanism ambassadors who live both in the region and its diaspora communities.
We consider the diversity of the Balkans a core value, and this is emphasised in the work we produce. We take a no-nonsense approach to ethno-nationalist rhetoric of any kind and will not allow any problematic narratives to fester on our platform. While we do continue to invite respectful conversation, debate, and varying perspectives.
We have ingrained a culture of active accountability within our team, so that Balkanism is held answerable for what it does. We have developed an open space with our audience, whereby active and constructive criticism is consistently taken on board and has positively contributed to the work we produce.

As a platform there are certain positions we collectively take that may differ to other Balkan platforms. To clarify, we are pro-LGBT+, we are anti-ethnonationalism, anti-colonialism and anti-imperialism.
We take a no-nonsense approach to Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, Transphobia, Islamophobia, Anti Semitism, Anti-Roma sentiment, and all other problematic systems of oppression that impact people negatively.
We are pro Kosovo state and will not platform any narratives that undermine Kosovo’s statehood in any capacity. We will also not collaborate with any organisations or collectives that do not respect Kosovo’s self-determination.
We are not above constructive criticism but note that we will not engage with those who are not respectful in their approach. We will not be berated by anyone, and any disrespectful approach will not be responded to in any way.
We will not present any narratives that promote a mono-ethnic state. We emphasise cultural, religious, political and ethnic based rights for all ethnic groups in the region.
We are a collective of individuals who run this platform and engage in this research with currently no consistent monetary support. So, if you have suggestions for content or themes you would like to see covered on our platform, please approach us in a respectful manner.
We will not respond to demands, especially those who do not take into consideration the work we do outside of Balkanism, and the responsibilities of our own personal lives.