On Wednesday 19th June, the Embassy of the Republic of Kosovo in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, jointly with Dr. Mukwege Foundation and the Municipality of The Hague co-hosted the reception on the occasion of the official opening art installation “Thinking of You” by Alketa Xhafa Mripa, in the Atrium of The Hague Municipality. The opening ceremony of the art exhibition marked the commemoration of the 19th June as the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.
“Thinking of You” (The Hague, 2024) is a landmark public art installation by the conceptual artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa, who brought a powerful homage to survivors of sexual violence in conflict worldwide.
At the inauguration event, guests were greeted by the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Netherlands, H.E. Dren Doli, who acted as Master of ceremony. Opening remarks were given by Deputy Mayor of The Hague, Ms. Mariëlle Vavier, who welcomed the guests in the house of the city, internationally recognised as the locus of peace and justice, highlighting the international resonance of the subject. The artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa introduced the audience to the overall idea as well as the impact of an art exhibition which showcases how dresses donated from all around the world become a powerful platform for survivors.
The importance of making the victim’s experiences heard and encouraging others to draw a red line to end violence against women and children articulated the testimony of the founder of Panzi Hospital and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dr. Dennis Mukwege.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosovo, Ms. Lisa Gashi delivered a compelling speech highlighting the necessity to take considerable action to strengthen the decision making process and accountability of international institutions concerning the topic.
Ambassador Doli welcomed on the stage the touching and powerful testimony of some of the survivors of violence perpetrated in conflict. Ms. Vasfije Krasniqi Goodman, Presidential Special Envoy of Kosovo on Sexual Violence During War, Ms. Shyrete Tahiri – Sulimani and Ms. Jacqueline Mutere, Activists and Members of the SEMA Network, women who broke their silence for the first time in their country, spoke about the importance of fighting stigma against victims of sexual violence in conflict while tracing their history of survivors of war rape.
Mr. Derrek Hof, Director of Social Affairs Department at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a speech on behalf of Dutch governmental institutions, showing their support to the cause.
The event was attended by several Ambassadors, distinguished guests from Dutch governmental institutions, international organisations, as well as human rights supporters. After the reception, the attendees took a joint walk to Lange Voorhout, where the outdoor art installation is displayed. The guests had the opportunity to admire the phenomenal display of hundreds dresses collected from over 20 countries across the globe, which festooned the city park, turning into a strong voice for all victims and their quest for justice.
Photos: ©Fleur Beemster, published with the permission of the Embassy of Kosovo in the Hague
