On Wednesday, 18th September 2024, the ‘KFOR and Kosovo +25’ exhibition was opened at Eden Court Arts Centre, Inverness by Lord Soley, together with Depute Provost and Highland Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Morven Reid and Depute Chief Executive for Highland Council, Kate Lackie.
The exhibition presented images from the special access photodocumentary produced in Kosovo in 2000-1 by Heartstone’s photojournalist Nick Sidle focussing on the human story in the immediate aftermath of the war in Kosovo, its impact on civilians, the remarkable resilience and spirit of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances and the role of KFOR in helping to bring safety, stability, security and support the rebuilding of a country which had been gripped by interethnic conflict leading to horrific ‘ethnic cleansing’. This is a story full of hope, that out of the harshest environments, new positive futures can and will take shape.
It is being presented across the UK and in Kosovo over 2024-25, reworked from film originals, to mark the 25th anniversary of the intervention. The first section of the new exhibition took shape at the Tower of London Fusilier Museum in January this year and in June, it was presented at the National Museum of Kosovo opened by the Kosovo Prime Minister, Mr Albin Kurti. A further presentation at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire was followed by another exhibition, which opened at Cardiff Castle’s Firing Line Museum. This was the first presentation of part of the exhibition in Scotland. It moves on to London for a presentation at the House of Commons in October.
Lord Soley, pictured at left and below, was Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party at the time of the intervention, and had an important role in seeing the intervention take shape. The question of whether to intervene or not, to prevent further ethnic cleansing as had been seen in Bosnia, was the subject of serious debate at the time between the leaders of several nations resulting in a UN Resolution mandating the formation of KFOR, the peacekeeping mission comprising nine countries, which entered Kosovo in 1999.
He said: ‘In 1999 I was the Parliamentary Leader of the Westminster Foundation Group to Kosovo (post conflict political reconstruction). This was part of the effort to rebuild a functioning and free society free from the ethnic hatred that had caused so much death and destruction in the former Yugoslavia.
I had been in a Parliamentary meeting as the MP for Hammersmith shortly before our intervention when three members of the Serb government told us that the only way to achieve peace in the region was by “ethnic cleansing”. The hatred that was so brutally exposed had deep historical and religious roots. Many of my constituents were refugees from violent conflicts around the world.
The NATO intervention was a success and although there is still a need for political progress in the region, I do believe the role our troops and others played was critical in creating peace and stability.
Taking a decision on whether to intervene in a conflict is one of the most difficult for any politician in a democracy. When we choose not to intervene as in Sudan, hundreds of thousands (probably two million) can die. Or in Ruanda and Syria. But intervening can also go wrong or cause continuing violence, Think Afghanistan and Iraq.
As the world struggles with these problems, we must always thank our troops and others who put their lives at risk to try and create the structures of peace and freedom that are the rights of every human being.
This exhibition demonstrates the work they do and our debt to them.’
Kate Lackie, Depute Chief Executive for Highland Council, spoke of the importance of this exhibition in marking a key period of history, which many in Highland had also been part of or had a direct connection with through family members, including herself.
Other key partners for the initiative include UNA-UK, Interfaith Scotland and their counterparts across the UK. At this event, Pastor Wilfred Masih was present and spoke for Interfaith Scotland. He has supported other Heartstone exhibition events across Highland and Moray.
Sitakumari, at left, spoke about setting up the original access and said:
‘This is a visual story of human resilience in what were extraordinarily difficult circumstances 25 years ago, ordinary people living with the everyday consequences of conflict and hate, how nations came together successfully and the role of peacekeepers. It is not just a remarkable photodocumentary capturing a period of history at a unique moment of time, it also has significant relevance for everyone today as we struggle to cope with conflict and the rise of hate across the globe now. It is a story full of inspiration and hope, that will take audiences into an unfamiliar world from the past, where they will be able to feel and experience it like they have never experienced before with a message, that despite dark times, the human spirit will ultimately win through.’
She welcomed the special guests from Fort George in Inverness, pictured above with Nila Joshi (central), one of Heartstone CISC Co-Directors who had travelled up from Edinburgh to be at the event. The group included two Kosovan soldiers stationed there working on a joint initiative with the local regiment.
Cllr Morven Reid, Depute Provost City of Inverness & Area, City of Inverness Armed Forces & Veterans Representative was not able to be present in person but sent the following statement:
‘I am delighted that the KFOR and Kosovo +25 exhibition is being held at Eden Court Theatre. This exhibition highlights the human stories behind this conflict and shows the interactions between KFOR personnel and the civilian population as well as the day-to-day activities undertaken by the peacekeepers. This anniversary is even more poignant and acutely relevant as yet again Europe is experiencing the horror of war with the Russian Invision of Ukraine. I am grateful to Sitakumari and Heartstone for bringing this thought provoking exhibition to Inverness.’
The invited guests represented a wide range of people across Highland, including Dr Reddappa Reddy, at left, representing the Highland Indian Association to highlight the relevance of this story across all cultures and faiths.
Sitakumari, who set up the original access, spoke of the background to the story, how it was gathered and its role at the time and now as an artistic portrayal of the human story at a historic period of time, the period immediately after the war in Kosovo. Heartstone is working in partnership with several of the regiments featured in the photodocumentary for this new exhibition, who are helping to track down soldiers in the original images to add their narrative stories 25 years later. In Kosovo, work is similarly progressing to locate civilians in the images for the same purpose making this a unique historical visual documentary.
The event was hosted by Sitakumari, Director of Heartstone, Cath Hill, at right above who has supported many Heartstone events and a valued member of the team, and Nila Joshi, at left above.
The partner organisations:
The United Nations Association – UK (UNA-UK) founded in 1945 is the country’s foremost advocate for UK action at the UN; the UK’s leading source of analysis on the UN; and a vibrant grassroots movement of 20,000 people from all walks of life. We are the only charity in the UK devoted to building support for the UN amongst policymakers, opinion-formers and the public. UNA Scotland is the Scottish branch of UNA-UK.
Interfaith Scotland is the national interfaith organisation for Scotland. We work to help ensure good relations between the diverse religion and belief communities of Scotland and also to share good practice in interfaith dialogue, education, engagement and training nationally and internationally.
Regiments featured in the photodocumentary – Royal Regiment of Fusiliers (Tower of London), 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards (Cardiff Castle), Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment (Dover Castle), Royal Green Jackets (Winchester RGJ Museum). 45 Commando based in Arbroath.
Acknowledgements:
Heartstone is grateful for the funding and support of the following sponsors for the development and staging of this exhibition:
