The Centre for Narrative Practice Announces closing of a successful 2023 transition year and temporary closing for the winter to re-open in spring
PRESS RELEASE
Prishtina, 30th of January 2024
Prishtina, Kosovo – The Centre for Narrative Practice (CNP) in Prishtina has announced a temporary closure, effective on the 1st of February 2024, in preparation for a successful spring reopening and the exploration of new sustainable public and private partnerships to maintain the centre for the years to come.
After a successful year full of activities, performances and educational and civil society programs with public and private partners, the CNP is closing for some months during the winter break due to the challenges primarily stemming from a lack of funding. Since its vibrant reopening on the 1st of February 2023, CNP hosted over 9,000 visitors, with more than 150 activities and events organised by CNP in close relation to foreign and Kosovar external partners. This achievement solidifies CNP as a lively interdisciplinary institution for co-working and co-creation of artistic, educational, and community programming in the capital, offering a diverse programme and collaborative space for all age groups and backgrounds.
Established within the former Hivzi Sulejmani Library, which was assigned to Manifesta 14 by the Municipality of Prishtina in 2021, it has been re-furbished and repurposed through the generous investment of the Government of the Grand Dutchy of Luxembourg, as well as the Netherlands Embassy and UNDP as implementing partner in 2022. CNP became the central venue for Manifesta 14 Prishtina’s biennial, as well as its lasting legacy for the city of Prishtina. Despite the struggles to keep the CNP open in 2023, with help of the Foundation Manifesta, the Swiss Cooperation Office in Kosovo, the Municipality of Prishtina, and other public partners, CNP looks for more sustainable partnerships to create a lasting long term legacy and re-invest the material and immaterial capital already spent in the building and its institutional programme.
Manifesta expresses deep gratitude to the partners whose support facilitated the successful renovation and revitalisation of the former library, shaping it into a dynamic hub for creativity and community engagement.
The temporary closure marks a strategic move by CNP to enhance its partnerships and offerings as well as strengthen its position as a cultural cornerstone in Prishtina. The institution looks forward to the support of its partners and the community as it embarks on this transformative journey.
