Anibar Opens Its 17th Edition With Films, Memories And New Beginnings

Seventeen years ago, Anibar began as a dream. Today, that dream continues to grow, bringing together thousands of people through animation, cinema, creativity and community.

For 17 years, the festival has created a space where stories are shared, friendships are made and everyone is welcome. The 17th edition of Anibar officially opened with a warm welcome from Hana Blakqori, who greeted the audience and marked the beginning of another unforgettable week in Peja.

The opening ceremony featured three films that set the spirit of the festival for the following days. “Richard the Dream Cowboy”, took the audience on a bike ride filled with freedom, fantasy and love. “Please”, a dark comedy that explores the human desire to love and be loved, offered an intimate and humorous look at romance and vulnerability. The evening concluded with “Penguin,” a touching story about a couple whose relationship is transformed after one partner returns from Antarctica with an unexpected gift.

For many, the opening ceremony went beyond the start of a festival, reuniting a community that continues to inspire year after year.
Yll Avdiu, a member of the Genesis Program and this year’s jury, shared his emotions: “The ceremony looks amazing. This is my fourth year at Anibar and every year everything keeps getting better. This year I am part of the jury in the New Audiences Competition, and I am very excited to discover the films in my category, as well as everything else the festival has to offer.”

Artist and Genesis Program member Rina Lasku also reflected on her connection to the festival. This year she is curating the exhibition “Posters for Palestine” and original drawings from the official Anibar festival video.
“With every festival, there’s a nostalgia for the previous experiences,” she said. “But at the same time, I just know that it’s going to get better every year.”

As the first night’s films were winding down, the celebration continued to the nostalgic music of the Kosovar band, Gillespie, who brought us all together on the dance floor to their sounds and the unique voice of the band’s singer, Blerta Zabërgja.

Uran Badivuku, known as Uran B, closed the first night by mixing electronic sets that energized the audience until late into the night.

The first day was just the beginning. Karagaq Park in the city of Peja was once again brought to life this summer by the Anibar Festival. With film screenings, workshops, exhibitions and talks to come, the 17th edition is set to fill the city with stories that will remain symbolic in Peja and in the cultural history of Kosovo long after the festival is over.