Our Mission RLIOF | Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival

Echoes of Opera in Kosovo

OUR MISSION

Our Mission

In the Rame Lahaj International Opera Festival we strive to bring the beauty and power of opera to the people of Kosovo. Founded in the summer of 2021, amidst the challenges of the pandemic, our festival is dedicated to promoting several sustainable development goals, cultural exchange and diversity. As the most recent independent state in Southeast Europe, Kosovo is still in the process of integrating into the European community. The Kosovar people are eager to gain knowledge and to be involved in the transmission of European culture.

Our goal is to acquaint the Kosovar audience with classical music, a genre that has often been overshadowed by popular styles like pop, dance, and rock music in the post-war era. This festival offers a unique opportunity for the public to immerse themselves in an experience that hasn’t been readily accessible to them until now.

This initiative is not only important for the cultural enrichment of the community, but also for the empowerment and education of the population. Understanding and appreciating classical music can enhance one’s understanding of International language and history, and can also serve as a form of cultural preservation.

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

The RLIOF Festival is a platform for promoting healthy lives and well-being for all ages. The festival’s program is designed to reach a diverse, multi-aged audience with live opera performances and to provide ad-hoc and continuous learning opportunities through masterclasses for students.

The team behind the festival is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to the benefits of opera, including its potential for promoting physical and mental well-being. Research has shown that listening to music, especially classical music, can have positive effects on mental health, including reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting relaxation and sleep. Additionally, live performances have been found to have a therapeutic effect on individuals, and can be beneficial for people of all ages, including the elderly. incl war generation

The festival organizers also keep in mind the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all. The festival is committed to making its program accessible to people with disabilities, and to ensuring that the performances are inclusive and welcoming to people of all backgrounds and ages.

Additionally, the festival’s unique choice of hosting an open-air opera festival in the heart of the capital, Pristina, was made as Kosovo currently does not have an opera house and it allows more people to attend and enjoy the performances. This also aligns with the goal of promoting environmental sustainability, by encouraging people to spend time outdoors.

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

The RLIOF Festival is committed to providing inclusive and equitable quality education for all. We believe that education is a fundamental human right and is essential for the development of individuals and communities.

One of the ways we strive to achieve this goal is by providing masterclasses for students who may not have access to this type of education in Kosovo. The masterclasses we offer are led by renowned opera professionals, who share their knowledge and experience with the students. These classes provide students with the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the field and to improve their skills in a hands-on environment. We understand that access to quality education can be limited in Kosovo, and we are committed to providing opportunities for lifelong learning to all, regardless of their background or circumstances.

The masterclasses we offer are open to all students who are interested in opera, and we strive to make them accessible to as many people as possible. By providing these masterclasses, we aim to promote the development of the next generation of opera professionals, and to contribute to the cultural enrichment of Kosovo (and the Balkan region). We believe that education is a powerful tool for personal and societal development, and we are dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to the opportunities they need to succeed. We are proud to be able to offer these masterclasses and we invite you to join us in our mission to promote inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

The RLIOF Festival is unwaveringly committed to gender equality, viewing it as a fundamental core value. Acknowledging the historical male dominance in the opera industry and the persistently low representation of women, we are actively working to rectify this imbalance. Our commitment extends to fostering an inclusive environment for both performers and participants in educational programs, with a specific dedication to ensuring equal representation not only on stage but also within our staff.

We understand the importance of having women in key roles, and we are committed to actively recruiting and supporting women in various capacities within our organization. This approach aligns seamlessly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, emphasizing the need to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

The RLIOF Festival recognizes that true gender equality requires a comprehensive approach, including diverse representation among our staff. We take pride in being part of the broader movement toward a more inclusive and equitable future for opera. We invite everyone to join us in this collective effort to promote gender equality and empower women within the opera world. Together, let us create a future where the talents and contributions of individuals of all genders are valued and celebrated.