Kosovo Albanian immigrants celebrate independence in Helsinki

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Kosovo Albanians living in the Helsinki region gathered at Senate Square on Sunday to celebrate Kosovo's declaration of independence from Serbia.
     By about six in the evening, about 400 Kosovo Albanians were dancing and celebrating at the statue to Tsar Alexander II. Organisers estimated that by the end of the evening there were as many as 2,000 present.
     Banners and slogans shouted at the rally praised former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari who chaired negotiations on the status of Kosovo.
     Other heroes included Kosovo's late President Ibrahim Rugova, the Kosovo Liberation Army UCK, and the United States, which has staunchly supported Kosovo's independence moves.
     
Helsinki resident Avni Ramadani popped the cork of his bottle of sparkling wine shortly before five PM. That is when the long-awaited message that Kosovo had declared independence caused mobile phones in the area to beep furiously.
     "It's freedom. We've been waiting for this for 1,000 years. It's incredible", Ramadani rejoiced.
      Ramadani arrived in Finland in 1998 from the city of Prizren. At that time, the conflict in Kosovo was escalating. In the following year, NATO, led by the United States, launched a bombing campaign against Serbia.
     "My 82-year-old father called in the morning and cried. This was the last piece of Yugoslavia."
     And the timing was good. Ramadani's own son Edon turned 13 on Sunday, right on Kosovo's Independence Day.
     
Ramadani was not concerned about Serbia's possible reactions to the declaration, even though it has said that it would not recognise Kosovo's independence.
     "It's just talk the leaders want to keep the people quiet", Ramadani said.
     Teacher Harun Osmani, an organiser of the Sunday event agrees.
     "They're a bit sad now, but they have their own country. It's not so bad."
     The celebration of Kosovo's independence will continue in Finland next week Osmani says that official celebrations will be held in Finlandia Hall.
     
Kosovo Albanians began arriving in Finland throughout the 1990s, when the wars linked with the disintegration of Yugoslavia heightened tensions in the whole Balkans region. The expansion of the wars at the end of the decade led to a new surge.
     Several Thousand of them live in Finland now. Many have set down roots here.
      Hashim Xhosha, 40, came to Finland 18 years ago. He last visited his home region three years ago. Does he plan to return to an independent Kosovo?
     "I have lived here so long. I had thought of going there, but I live here now. I have my job and everything. Let's take a look at vacation time."


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Ahtisaari expects Russian veto of Kosovo plan (20.6.2007)
  Ahtisaari proposes independence for Kosovo (27.3.2007)
  Finland to give rapid recognition to Kosovo (13.2.2008)
  Kanerva: Finland ready for new tasks in Kosovo (11.1.2008)
  NEWS ANALYSIS: Kosovo and Russian elections overshadow Finnish chairmanship of OSCE (29.12.2007)

Helsingin Sanomat