Joie de vivre
Kosovo visitors cement the Fort Dodge connection
-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson <br> Yll Valla, head of the division for public communication from the government of the Republic of Kosovo, right, and Lumnije Demi, head of the division for inter-municipal cooperation from the government of the Republic of Kosovo, react to some pictures on Valla’s camera at the Fort Dodge Municipal Building Tuesday afternoon.
-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson <br> Rozafa Ukimeraj, secretary general from the government of the Republic of Kosovo, looks over a gift from Dawn Larson, economic development specialist for the city of Fort Dodge, Tuesday afternoon at the Fort Dodge Municipal Building. Gashi Rustemi, a representative of the municipality of Istog, Kosovo, looks on, at right.
-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson <br> Yll Valla, head of the division for public communication from the government of the Republic of Kosovo, right, and Lumnije Demi, head of the division for inter-municipal cooperation from the government of the Republic of Kosovo, react to some pictures on Valla’s camera at the Fort Dodge Municipal Building Tuesday afternoon.
-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson <br> Rozafa Ukimeraj, secretary general from the government of the Republic of Kosovo, looks over a gift from Dawn Larson, economic development specialist for the city of Fort Dodge, Tuesday afternoon at the Fort Dodge Municipal Building. Gashi Rustemi, a representative of the municipality of Istog, Kosovo, looks on, at right.
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Yll Valla, of Kosovo, proudly stood at a podium in the Fort Dodge City Council Chamber Tuesday afternoon with the American flag set as the backdrop.
Lumnije Demi, also of Kosovo, captured several images of Valla at the podium prior to a meeting with Fort Dodge city officials about the sister city partnership Fort Dodge has with Gjakova, Kosovo.
A short time later, Demi and Valla could be seen looking through the recently captured images.
The presence of the two government officials in Fort Dodge is another sign of the strong ties that exist between Iowa and Kosovo.
Iowa and Kosovo have shared a connection since the some of the state's Army National Guard soldiers went to the European country as peacekeepers more than 10 years ago. Fort Dodge and Gjakova became sister cities in December 2016.
During the meeting Tuesday, Fort Dodge city leaders and representatives from Kosovo discussed ongoing initiatives and exchanged gifts. Gifts to Kosovo officials included a city of Fort Dodge mug and Iowa Hawkeyes apparel. The city of Fort Dodge was gifted a pyramid-shaped paperweight with the Kosovo flag on it.
Visitors from Kosovo included: Valla, who is head of division for public communication from the government of the Republic of Kosovo; Demi, head of division for inter-municipal cooperation; Rozafa Ukimeraj, secretary general; and Gashi Rustemi, a representative of the municipality of Istog, Kosovo.
Representing the city of Fort Dodge were: David Fierke, city manager; Dawn Larson, economic development specialist; Chad Schaeffer, the city's director of engineering, business affairs and community growth; Dr. Terry Moehnke, city councilman; and Eric Anderson, director of the Blanden Memorial Art Museum.
A photo essay book featuring photos from both Fort Dodge and Gjakova, Kosovo, is one initiative in the works between the sister cities.
Anderson said the photo essay book is still in production.
During a visit to Kosovo in May 2018, Anderson distributed five digital cameras to students who had the task of taking photos for the book.
"Students here are doing the same thing," Anderson said.
While in Kosovo, Anderson also met with a library director to develop a poetry exchange.
"The goal is to combine photos and poems in a book," Anderson said. "The book would go into our state library."
He said the book would be distributed to multiple other locations in Kosovo and Iowa.
Anderson hopes to have photos by the end of the year, with the book being produced a short time later.
"That's probably a year-and-a-half out," he said.
Anderson is also working on a dedication of a park.
"A park with a piece of public art in the same location, linking the two places together," Anderson said.
Another possibility is a traveling exhibit of artwork. That project would be completed with the help of the Sioux City Art Center and the Des Moines Art Center, according to Anderson.
Sioux City is forming a sister city bond with Gjilan, Larson said.
Des Moines has a sister city partnership with Pristina, Kosovo.
"We want to be a good example for other municipalities," said Ukimeraj.
Ukimeraj oversees all of the Kosovo sister city partnerships, according to Larson.
Another important initiative, according to Larson, is the youth exchange.
"Our outgoing youth exchange is in its third year," Larson said. "Our incoming is in its second year."
She said the city partners with 4-H on the program.
"They are a big supporter," she said. "They are good teachers of being strong ambassadors of Iowa and they are also donors."
Larson said this year, additional funding is needed.
She suggested a possible sister city Rotary partnership.
Fierke is a member of the Noon Rotary and Larson is a member of Daybreak Rotary.
"That could help with some international funds," she said.
Ukimeraj said she would keep a look out for special grants that would help the youth exchange.
Another event to help with fundraising efforts is the Taste of Kosovo fundraiser on Friday.
The fundraiser will be held Willow Ridge Restaurant and Golf Course, 1788 Madison Ave., from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.