Скачать или смотреть Balkan History: Pristina in 1995 - The Quiet Before the Storm

In September 1995, I made my first visit to Pristina as a young TV reporter. Today, it’s a bustling capital, but nearly 30 years ago, Pristina had a quieter, almost village-like atmosphere. At that time, Kosovo was barely on the world’s radar; international attention was focused on the Bosnian war and Croatia’s recent offensive in Krajina. Following that offensive, many Serb refugees from Krajina were sent to Kosovo by Milosevic, placing them in what would soon become another center of tension.

This was four years before NATO’s intervention, and as foreign journalists, we worked under constant observation by Serbian authorities. While we weren’t censored, nearly every visit involved being stopped by police and “invited” to headquarters for an “informative interview.” It was their way of letting us know we were being watched and reminding us of their interest in our activities.

This historic footage captures daily life in Pristina’s center, offering a rare glimpse into a time just before Kosovo’s story would capture international attention.

September 1995, Pristina, Kosovo
Betacam SP
Journalist: Georg von Ehren