Campaign Story

Inception

Our inception is tied to the “Virtual Sophists” philosophical-literary blog, which was founded by three Philosophy students from the University of Prishtina, in October 2016. The blog was founded to promote philosophy, literature and, in general, humanities (psychology, sociology, etc.).

The blog was also conceived to serve as a space for students to publish their writing and their independent work and thus develop the criticism of thought that is very much needed for the society of Kosovo. The blog work is done on a voluntary basis.

Of the volunteers gathered around the blog, on the 19th of May 2017, ‘The Book Club-Prishtina’ was founded. The club’s main purpose was discussion and debate on various literary and philosophical works.

Over time and with increasing interest, the Club also began screening films, organizing public debates and organizing public lectures with philosophers and thinkers.

So far we have discussed ten works, we have shown two films and we have organized one public lecture, with philosopher Besnik Domi. All our activities have been established in the public areas of the city of Prishtina, such as: libraries, museums, faculties, parks, etc.

Therefore, since we don’t have a permanent shelter where we could organize our activities, there was a vital need for us to create a physical space that will be in the service of the club. As a result, we have been offered for use for three years, and free of charge, a locality where we can exercise our activity. To make the space suitable for the job, some emergency interventions are needed, tools we aim to collect through this campaign.

Identity

With the creation of physical space, The Book Club-Prishtina will be re-established as the ‘The Society for Philosophy and Art.’

The focus of the club will be two main areas:

1. Philosophy,
2. Art

Art has always been a form of communication and a way to meditate and cultivate beauty. On the other hand, the whole history of philosophy is considered as a debate and a response between philosophers and thinkers. A road that started 2500 years ago and is still going on.

This is where art and philosophy are interconnected. A question, an argument, a work of art, inspires and brings the other. Art and philosophy are the deepest communication of the individual’s interior, not only with the world, but this communication also extends to new creativity. And it is precisely this need for acquaintance, expression and communication between one another, that brings us together around the club. Moreover, it is a love for recognition, beauty, and a meditation over ourselves.

Goals

We consider that a cultural center in Prishtina is extremely necessary as it would serve as a public space where young thinkers and artists could express art and themselves, know their community better, and most importantantly to become a center of creation and creativity.

The cultural center aims to be a supportive and stimulating space for young people, where their creativity does not remain solitary and unfamiliar but rather promoted. Not only do we have a medium of expression, but we also create a serious and stable community that promotes and combines the atmosphere of thought, art, creativity and culture in Prishtina and beyond.

For this, the “Virtual Sophists” blog and the philosophical-literary magazine “Sophia” will be the logistical support of the club.

Specifically, the Cultural Center will enable people of all ages, the organization of activities such as:

1. Discussion on books;
2. Show and debate films;
3. Organization of public lectures;
4. Organizing public debates;
5. Establishment of the public library;
6. Performances of artistic works / exhibitions by young artists;
7. Creative space, etc.

In addition to the activities, the Center will be open throughout the week and will also serve as a socialization and relaxation site where one can come to borrow a book from the club library, listen to music, enjoy a coffee, or write poetry, etc. 

For our work until now, please visit: www.virtualsophists.org and www.filozofia.al 

Needs

In order to create a more suitable environment for organizing our work, an emergency renovation of the premises is required. We have already done some work ourselves, but we still need financial assistance, which we will use to complete the environment.

Specifically, we need financial means for:

1. Doors and windows 1500,00 Euro
2. Flooring 500,00 Euro
3. Projector 450,00 Euro
4. Roof 460,00 Euro
5. Speaker 400,00 Euro 
6. Toilet, Kitchen 650,00 Euro
7. 10% Creditcard, banktransfer and Kosova Ideas Platform Fees 440,00 Euro

Total: 4400,00 Euro