| Mitrovica Rock School
In Mitrovica, Kosovo, ethnic Albanians and Serbs live their lives divided almost entirely by the River Ibar - and by war. Since Kosovo declared independence in February 2008, the divide has intensified. The division is not only a burden on everyday life, it is killing cultural life in Mitrovica.
Rock Music City
Before the war, Mitrovica was known as a center for rock music in the region. The city had a proud tradition of producing and attracting famous Yugo-rock bands to its many concerts and festivals. Much of this tradition has been replaced by turbo-folk, a cheap brand of folk music mixed with electronic beats, with a distinctive variety for every ethnic group. The Mitrovica Rock School empowers young musicians in bringing back quality rock music and restoring the city's former renown.
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Two locations, one school
As long as the political tensions in the city persist, the Mitrovica Rock School will be operated from two branches, one in the mainly Serb North of the city and one in the predominantly Albanian South. Students and teachers work together during training weeks in Skopje (Macedonia) and Tilburg (The Netherlands). Back in Mitrovica, new media are used to connect the two branches, and the staff work closely together to ensure the school's single identity.
Cooperative initiative
The Mitrovica Rock School project is a cooperative initiative of Musicians without Borders, Community Building Mitrovica, IKV Pax Christi and the Fontys Rock Academy. It is the result of a sustained relationship between these organizations and a shared long-term goal of establishing a permanent rock music school in Mitrovica.
The Mitrovica Rock School online
For photos, videos, student accounts and news about the Rock School, check out the following websites:
 blog
YouTube
Facebook
MySpace
More information:
Wendy Hassler-Forest, w.hassler-forest@musicianswithoutborders.nl
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