Mitrovica Rock School

Over the past year, the city of Mitrovica and young people on both sides have been impacted by rising tensions in Northern Kosovo. But despite political escalation, Mitrovica Rock School was able to continue to bring people together. 

In June, the Rock School formed four new ethnically mixed bands, who participated in a training week led by Fontys Rockacademie. In August, we organized a summer school for six ethnically mixed Mitrovica Rock School bands, as well as four bands from Roma Rock School. All bands wrote, rehearsed, recorded and performed original songs.

During these past two years of growing tensions, Mitrovica Rock School has been one of the very few Mitrovica initiatives that was able to continue to bring together youth from the two sides without interruption. This is thanks largely to the 16 years of trustbuilding in the city, and the strong leadership  by musicians and cultural organizers from both sides of the city. The school has become a true landmark within the city, where youth from all communities feel safe and welcome.

At the time of writing, five mixed bands are preparing for a concert: the first concert of ethnically mixed bands to take place at our South Branch in six years.