An open-air exhibition dedicated to Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, known worldwide as Mother Teresa, has opened in Prishtina on August 26, marking the anniversary of her birth.
Titled “In Honour of Mother Teresa’s Birthday,” the exhibition is being held around her statue in Mother Teresa Square, bringing together portraits created by local artists.
One of the organizers, Veton Gusia, said the annual event is intended to preserve the memory of the Albanian-born humanitarian and her contribution to people in need around the world.
Gusia emphasized Mother Teresa’s humanitarian legacy, particularly her work with the poor and sick, as well as her support for Albanians during difficult periods.
Artists were invited to participate freely, with each choosing independently how to portray Mother Teresa. The exhibition therefore does not follow a specific curatorial concept, allowing visitors to see a variety of artistic interpretations of her image and legacy.
From Skopje to a global humanitarian legacy
Mother Teresa was born Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, into an Albanian family with roots in Gjakova.
At the age of 18, she left for Ireland and joined the Institute of the Sisters of Loreto in Dublin, where she began her religious formation and took the name Teresa, inspired by Saint Thérèse of Lisieux.
She later moved to India, where she spent most of her life dedicated to helping people living in poverty and homelessness.
Her humanitarian work eventually gained international recognition. Among numerous honors, she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian efforts.
Decades later, on September 4, 2016, she was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997, in Kolkata, India, leaving behind a global humanitarian legacy that continues to be commemorated in Kosovo and around the world.
