SOUTHERN EUROPE

Kosovo

Mission Trips

The Basics

POPULATION

1.81 Million

LANGUAGE

Albanian

RELIGIONS

Islam 96%
Roman Catholic 2%
Orthodox 2%

The Republic of Kosovo declared its independence in 2008 after centuries of ethnic conflict. Formerly part of the Socialist Yugoslav state of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia, when the Socialist Republic dissolved in 1992, it preceded a decade of guerrilla warfare where over 800,000 ethnic Albanians fled their homes. With recent history a close memory and the majority of the population divided by both blood ties and religious beliefs (Islam, Serbian Orthodox, and Roman Catholicism), the Church is reaching out to all people groups with the love of Jesus. Will you share the healing love of Jesus Christ in a land desperate for peace?

Culture

Located at the crossroad of Albanian, Ottoman, Romance and Slavic cultures, Kosovo has enriched its own cuisine adopting and maintaining some of their cooking traditions and techniques. A meal may include Flia, a crepe-like pastry served with vegetables, cheese, meat, or potatoes.

People of the same gender are often physically affectionate with each other, but not between genders. A typical greeting is a hug while pressing cheek-to-cheek (and then switching sides), and when someone leaves a room, they shake everyone’s hand.

Explore

If you’re near Peja, spend a day exploring the area. Near the Alps and straddling the Bistrica River, its “Old World” feel and beautiful views will be a day you never forget. There’s also a central bazaar for some fun shopping.

Go hiking in the Alps. Kosovo’s highest mountain is only 8,714 feet and looks over Montenegro and Albania.

Spend a day in Pristina, a city with streets named for American Presidents, or take a day trip into Skopje, Macedonia!