Marika Dee was born in Belgium in 1970. She lives in Brussels, Belgium and took up photography in 2009. She is currently working on projects in Kosovo and Albania.
A new chapter in the history of Kosovo (2010)
This documentary photostory-in-progress, on which I started work in May 2010, aims to give a visual exploration of Kosovo and most importantly a glimpse at the plight of its people across the different communities. With about 90 % of the population, Albanians constitute the vast majority in this tiny country of about 2 million people. Other communities include Serbian, Gorani, Bosniak, Turkish, Montenegrin, Roma, Askhaeli and Egyptian.
The project is an attempt to document how Kosovans are dealing with the aftermath of the 1999 war and with life in Kosovo after the declaration of independence in 2008. I want to find out about daily life, hopes and challenges in this extremely complex postwar country.
During my stay in Kosovo, I met a lot of people who have a hard time making enough money to sustain their family. All ethnic groups consider the economic issues the biggest challenge facing Kosovo. Unemployment, which stands currently at more than 40% and very low standards of life are at the basis of a growing discontent. Huge economic challenges together with the very specific problems of a deeply divided postconflict society often seem overwhelming and unsurpassable. But meeting inspiring persons that strongly believe in a multiethnic and prosperous Kosovo and work hard towards this end, encourage a more hopeful view of the future.
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