Dua Lipa, the British pop sensation, is not only known for her chart-topping hits but also for her efforts to change the narrative surrounding her home country of Kosovo. Born in the UK to Kosovan-Albanian parents, Dua moved to Pristina, Kosovo as a child after a war in the late 1990s. Determined to showcase the positive side of Kosovo, Dua and her father, Dukagjin, launched the Sunny Hill festival in Pristina.
The festival, now in its third year, has attracted international artists like Miley Cyrus and Calvin Harris, who performed in the region for the first time. Dukagjin, who has a background in the live music events industry, has worked tirelessly to bring global acts to Kosovo and change the perception of the country.
With about 40% of visitors coming from outside Kosovo, the festival has become a platform for local musicians like La Fazani to showcase their talent to a wider audience. The festival’s success has not gone unnoticed, with industry insiders drawing parallels between Sunny Hill and iconic festivals like Glastonbury.
Looking ahead, Dukagjin envisions expanding Sunny Hill beyond just a music festival, with plans to incorporate workshops and networking opportunities for artists. Through initiatives like Sunny Hill, Kosovo is striving to create a positive image and attract attention from the international music industry.
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