Pop star Dua Lipa has proudly become a citizen of Kosovo, a move that brings together her two worlds.
The London-born singer, whose parents are Kosovan-Albanian, described the moment as a union of her identity. “It feels like my two sides are now one,” Lipa said during the ceremony.
DUA LIPA AND KOSOVO
The event was hosted by Kosovo’s President, Vjosa Osmani. She called Lipa “one of the most iconic cultural figures in our country’s history”.
She also spoke warmly about the singer’s deep connection to Kosovo, according to the BBC. “Dua and Kosovo have always been inseparable.
From the world’s biggest stages to the hearts of millions, she’s carried our story with strength, pride, and grace,” Osmani posted on social media.
DUA LIPA’S CHILDHOOD IN KOSOVO
Lipa lived in Pristina, Kosovo’s capital, briefly from the age of 11 when her family moved back after Kosovo declared independence.
The country broke away from Serbia in 2008, a move recognised by many Western nations but not by countries such as Spain, Greece, Russia, and China.
The divide still causes tensions, but Lipa’s role shines amid this complex history.
The singer expressed how much the citizenship means to her and her family. “I love this country, and this means so much to me and my family,” she said.
HONORARY AMBASSADOR
She also holds British and Albanian citizenship, having been granted Albanian citizenship in 2022 for promoting the country through her music and fame.
Kosovo also named Lipa an Honorary Ambassador in 2022. She has used her platform to advocate for Kosovo globally and to support vulnerable communities there.
Her charity work and cultural influence have helped change perceptions of Kosovo, especially through the Sunny Hill Festival she established in 2018 with her father.
The festival seeks to highlight Kosovo’s vibrant culture rather than its past of conflict.
DUA LIPA AND THE SUNNY HILL FESTIVAL
Lipa headlined the Sunny Hill Festival this year during her visit. After the concert, she shared a message on Instagram.
“Sharing this night with you all, in the city that shaped me, surrounded by so much energy, joy, and pride… It’s hard to put into words what it means.”
The festival has become a symbol of hope and optimism for many Kosovans and offers a fresh narrative to the world about this young nation.
For South Africans, many of whom come from diverse cultural backgrounds and have experienced their struggles for recognition and identity, Lipa’s story resonates deeply.
SHINING A LIGHT ON HERITAGE
U.K. Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, praised Lipa too. “The UK and Kosovo are proud to call Dua Lipa one of our own,” he said with a smile in a photo alongside the star.
With this new citizenship, Dua Lipa strengthens her bond with Kosovo and continues to shine a light on her heritage from the global stage.
IN WHAT WAYS CAN CELEBRITY INFLUENCE HELP PROMOTE A COUNTRY?
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