Kosovo and other European countries. When the latter host a national day reception, the overwhelming majority of guests arrive exactly on time or even earlier. In Jerusalem, whose denizens are noted for keeping Jewish Mean Time, the banquet room at the Leonardo Hotel, filled up only an hour after the official start of the reception.

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But one thing that guests at receptions in Herzliya, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem have in common is a lack of respect for a performing artist. The reception included a recital by distinguished pianist Artemida Qarri-Haxhiaj, who somehow managed to ignore the buzz of conversation around her. But she’s not the only performing artist who has to compete with voices coming from all directions. In a concert hall, anyone disrupting a performance is made to leave. But at a diplomatic reception the most anyone would dare to do, would be to ask for quiet. That’s actually what happened on this occasion. Other than the music emanating from the piano the room fell silent – for less than half a minute, and then the cackle of voices started again.

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In general, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the speeches were certainly better than what is usually heard at events of this kind.

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The hotel also has to be commended for taking vegans and vegetarians into consideration. There was a meat-free buffet on one side of the room, and a buffet that included both salads and meat on the other side. The food was also very tasty.

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Demiri, in her address, said that freedom and independence had been long in coming to her country. She expressed appreciation to all those who had brought it to fruition. She also declared that Kosovo will never forget and will be forever grateful to Israel for hosting Kosovo refugees during the war of 1999.

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Since ga

Grapevine February 24, 2023: Celebrating Kosovo’s independence

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