In the villages of Gjakova, young volunteers are turning faith and creativity into festive masterpieces, transforming local church communities into Christmas attractions and drawing thousands of visitors every December. The Pjetërshan Parish, which includes four villages located about 8 kilometers from the city center and 80 kilometers from the capital, Pristina, has gained widespread fame for its Christmas decorations, mostly through social media.
Jozefina, who lives in Switzerland, speaks about the tradition of visiting the parish during her trips to Kosovo in the festive season.
“Every winter, when I come to visit my hometown, where I grew up, I bring my children here because I want to create similar memories for them. I want them to feel this nostalgia every time Kosovo is mentioned,” she expressed.
Visitors to the parish not only get to enjoy the stunning decorations but also warm up with hot drinks served in wooden huts within the church courtyard.
Christmas Decorations at Pjetërshan Village Church. Photo: BIRN
Don Marjan Ukaj, the priest of the Pjetërshan Parish, shared the incredible impact of these decorations.
“From October 13th until December 1st, we had many young people, especially on weekends, with over 50 volunteers coming to work voluntarily. Financially, believers and families also contribute to organizing and carrying out this project that we have been working on for several years. The interest is extremely high, and the beauty of this place makes people feel very good, especially spiritually,” said Ukaj.
He also emphasized that the artistic decorations, particularly those around the trees, make the place magical.
“This year, many visitors who came said, ‘this is art,’ something that amazed and attracted them. They might not have seen something like this even in Western countries because they tend to do simpler things. But the decoration of the fir trees, especially, is done in a wonderful way,” he added.
On Sunday, December 22nd, 2024, the German Embassy organized a Christmas concert at the parish. Ambassador Jorn Rohde expressed his thoughts on social media, writing:
“Deep sadness for the events in Magdeburg (referring to the terrorist attack at a Christmas market), but also gratitude for the meaningful moments at our Christmas concert in Gjakova yesterday, reminding us what matters: Love and peace, not hatred and violence,” wrote Rohde on X.
Christmas Decorations at Pjetërshan Village Church. Photo: BIRN
Palush Nikolla, a representative of the villages in the Pjetërshan parish, reflected on the shared joy brought by this celebration.
“We have a very special youth that knows how to create art, and it’s a miracle that the youth of this parish can do this. All the youth come together to decorate, so others can enjoy it because this is a holiday celebrated together,” said Nikolla.
In addition to Pjetërshan, other parishes in the area, such as Bishtazhin, Vogova, and Doblibara, also offer equally mesmerizing decorations for visitors.
Meanwhile, the city itself has been decorated with festive ornaments funded through municipal investments.
“Festive huts are undoubtedly the main attraction this December,” wrote Gjakova Mayor Ardian Gjini on social media.
In addition to Gjakova, other cities in Kosovo are also illuminated with festive decorations, mainly funded by municipal budgets.
Pristina has attracted significant attention this year with one of the largest Christmas markets in the region. With 120 wooden stalls spread across three main squares, the market welcomes citizens every day from December 1st until January, offering music, food, and drinks.
Additionally, the municipality, in collaboration with a private operator, has brought in various attractions for children, including a carousel, ice skating, circus performances, and other activities that make this year’s celebrations stand out from previous ones.
The Christmas market and decorations in Pristina have drawn substantial attention from international media, highlighting not only the festive atmosphere but also the unique context of the country, where the majority of the population is Muslim.
