Mankind has experienced great and disastrous wars throughout history, but none of them has been global in this way and on such a large scale. The total closure that paralyzed the world economy happened. We witnessed empty streets around the world, which until yesterday were packed with the movement of people and traffic that sowed sadness and fear in everyone.

With the introduction of quarantine to the globe, this completely new and unprecedented event, cultural institutions were forced to close their doors. COVID-19 disease brought artists to their knees. By decision of the Government of Kosovo for the measures on prevention and spreading of the coronavirus, on March 12, all cultural activities in Kosovo were suspended. Theatre doors, cinemas, museums and libraries were locked down. With a sense of discomfort, restriction, isolation at home, the inability to connect normally with their audiences, the artists were forced to "go online" entirely.

Petrit Çeku, our world-famous guitarist, with his online recital from his Facebook page with the works of Franc Schubert broke the ice of isolation. To encourage the public to accept more easily and comfort the unwanted situation of isolation, he said that although we are all trapped "in our homes - we are all together".

Petrit Çeku, with the online broadcast from his home in Zagreb, brought freshness to the burdened soul of his audience. On that occasion he said: "The desire to fulfil my essential role in society awoke me almost intuitively, the day I decided to broadcast a recital from my apartment in Zagreb. Viewership and numerous reactions already confirm this theory of mine. "Perhaps this extraordinary situation revealed the special importance of my role and that of my colleagues in society."

This burst of online performances conquered many artists and institutions. On World Theater Day, March 27, the Gjilan Theater gave its first online performance. On April 9, on the occasion of the Constitution Day of the Republic of Kosovo, the Kosovo Philharmonic brought the interpretation of the 9th Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony, which brings the message of peace between people and is considered one of the best works of the German composer. The concert was held in Pristina on June 26, 2019 to mark the 20th anniversary of the country's liberation. The Kosovo Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra was conducted by the Japanese Toshio Yanagisawa, while the soloists were Arta Jashari - soprano, Vikena Kamenica - mezzo-soprano, Liridon Sadriu - tenor and Armando Likaj - baritone.

Other institutions and individuals also followed this example, finding alternative ways to keep the audience close with virtual shows, concerts and exhibitions. The municipality of Prishtina, isolated due to the pandemic, exposed the creativity of artists who are finding alternative ways to stay close to the audience at home. Such performances, which have erupted everywhere on social networks, will now have institutional support.

The Municipality of Prishtina with the project "#Rri n 'shpi me neve" has realized cultural, sports and educational activities that have been shown on TV shows and online platforms on social networks of this institution, during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. "#Rri n 'shpi me neve" - "e ngo live", "kce me çorapa", "e thellohu me vargje", musical performances, yoga sessions, meditation, cooking, poetry, stand-up sessions and others made people relax and for a moment reflect differently.

At the initiative of the painter Veton Gusia in the cafes known as "Coffee of rakia" on June 21, 22 and 23 was held a three-day painting exhibition entitled Art Expo "Ngujimi", which presented works and activities of artists reflecting the past days in closure due to pandemic.

The pandemic also highlighted the creativity of independent artists, who performed creatively at home and used art to make the days of isolation easier for themselves and others.

Release of measures

The decline in the number of infected in May has pushed the Kosovo Ministry of Health to decide to release the measures, allowing the opening of museums, galleries, theatres and cinemas, which has increased the general institutional and individual activities, which were thirsty for culture. On August 1, in the premises of the National Gallery of Kosovo, the individual exhibition of the well-known artist Jakup Ferri was opened, an exhibition that reveals the 15-year work of the artist. The exhibition is organized in such a way as to respect the measures of the Ministry of Health with a certain number of visitors that must respect the distance. The recent situation that has gripped the country, has made each activity take place with many measures and restrictions, among them was this exhibition which also limits the number of visitors

The International Short and Documentary Film Festival - DokuFest in August this year did not have the splendour of other years, when the cobblestones of the city of Prizren were flooded by film lovers from all over the world, who in addition to new film productions, enjoyed the hospitality and traditional food. In the old town, on the edge of Lumbardhi River, the organizers and close friends of the festival gathered, while the audience could buy tickets online and watch their broadcast online.

On October 20 as part of the FEMART Festival the Armata Cinema screened films by Kosovar directors: More Raça, Blerta Zeqiri, Zana Hoxha, Rita Krasniqi, Hana Bucalija, Albana Nila, Vesa Potera, Lorena Sopi, Dita Shaqiri, followed by a discussion panel.

In the first days of October, the Cineplexx cinema was opened in Albi Mall, where new foreign and Albanian films were shown. Tickets have sold out quickly from the start and in this cinema there have been new measures with electronic locking of spectator seats, but also physical blocking of seats.

On October 22, after seven months, the Kosovo Philharmonic Concert was held in the Red Hall of the Palace of Youth. Under the direction of conductor Gridi Kraja, the orchestra performed works by Albanian composers. The number of participants was limited, only 40 people were able to attend the concert and reservations were made online.

Current situation

In November, at the "Speakeasy" Atelier, Veton Gusia started holding the weekly collective exhibition "Artists for the Artist" with the participation of painters, sculptors and graphic artists. All participants as well as art lovers who come to the opening must participate by 2 € and the amount of money collected will be given to the artist whose selected work will be the most voted of the evening. Thus artists will help each other.

"In this way, the artists will be associated and in solidarity with each other and the revival of cultural life will begin, with social distance and with masks, with the hope that we will be able to organize it every week, every Thursday", emphasizes the painter Veton Gusia. Eroll Murati with the exhibition "Sculpture of space", which has opened in front of the National Theatre, has reflected the captivity of those who are thirsty to lead and order and will be open until November 25.

Meanwhile, Dua Lipa will hold a virtual concert entitled "Studio 2054", on Friday, November 27 through LiveNow.com, which is part of the "Unstaged" series of American Express. On social networks, the singer said that in that evening there will be music, entertainment, performances, dancing and more. The standard ticket price is $ 11.99 and are available for a very limited time.

The cultural industry has created new formats that are imaginative, but that are financially unstable and that cannot fully meet the expectation and sense of the audience's immediate experience of a work or artistic performance. Therefore, the good news these days about the discovery of the vaccine by two Turkish scientists in Germany is a relief for everyone, even for the "lungs of art".