As part of the commemoration of the 115th anniversary of the birth of the Albanian saint, Mother Teresa, an art exhibition has opened at the square that bears her name in Pristina, bringing together more than 30 artists from the region.
The cultural event is organized by the association “Artists for Artists” in cooperation with “Shqiptaria”, creating an atmosphere of reflection and tribute to the world-renowned humanitarian.
The exhibition has gathered artists from Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and the Presheva Valley, each contributing with diverse artworks. Although dedicated to Mother Teresa, the theme of the exhibition was left open, giving creators freedom to express their ideas.
Veton Gucia, head of “Artists for Artists”, emphasized the importance of Mother Teresa’s figure for Albanians, particularly during the pre-war period in Kosovo.
He recalled how her image served as a symbol that opened doors around the world for Albanians, stressing that her legacy should serve as a lesson for future generations.
“She was a figure who brought us great joy, especially during the pre-war period, when with her image doors were opened for us worldwide. Her importance as a figure was extraordinary… I believe memory is vital for educating new generations to understand how significant her figure has been—and still is—for the identity and freedom of Kosovo. We are simply commemorating her. The participation of artists is inclusive: there are artists from North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, the Presheva Valley, Bujanovac, and of course Kosovo. This year, as always, the theme is free. We just mark and remember Mother Teresa’s birthday and her figure, while the works themselves are thematically open. More than 30 artists are expected to take part,” said Gucia.
The Albanian Nobel laureate Gonxhe Bojaxhiu – Mother Teresa – was born on 26 August 1910 in Skopje, then part of the Kosovo Vilayet in the Ottoman Empire. After living in Macedonia for 18 years, she moved to Ireland and later to India, where she spent most of her life.
Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a religious congregation that by 2012 had more than 4,500 sisters and was active in 133 countries.
She was honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize in 1962 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
