Gjeloshaj attends celebration of the 18th anniversary of Montenegro's independence by opening the exhibition 'The Modernist Journey of Gjelosh Gjokaj'

Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy Nik Gjeloshaj participated in the opening of the exhibition "The Modernist Journey of Gjelosh Gjokaj," organised to mark the 90th anniversary of his birth and the 18th anniversary of Montenegro's independence in Pristina, Republic of Kosovo. The exhibition was held in collaboration with the Embassy of Montenegro in the Republic of Kosovo, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports of the Republic of Kosovo, and the National Gallery of Kosovo.

Deputy Prime Minister Gjeloshaj and Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Montenegro Bernard Çobi delivered opening remarks at the exhibition. Prominent figures such as philosopher and critic Shkelzen Maliqi, President of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo Glauk Konjufca, Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports Hajrullah Çeku, Director of the National Gallery of Kosovo Alisa Gojani-Berisha, and Sead Gjokaj, a relative of Gjelosh Gjokaj, spoke about Gjelosh Gjokaj's work.

At the opening of the exhibition, Deputy Prime Minister Gjeloshaj emphasised that the works of Mr. Gjokaj from Malesija, Montenegro, have left an indelible mark on our shared cultural heritage, embodying the European aspirations of our two friendly countries.

The exhibition, which attracted considerable attention, was attended by high-level representatives from the political, diplomatic, academic, cultural, media, and sports spheres.

Gjelosh Gjokaj (1933-2016), born in Malesija, was a renowned painter, known internationally as the "Balkan Picasso." He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade, taught in Pristina and Cetinje, and lived in Rome in the late 1960s, where he gained fame for his originality and graphics. He lived in Augsburg for many years before returning to his native village of Milješ. He exhibited in 53 solo and 62 collective exhibitions and received numerous prestigious awards and recognitions, including the 13 July Award and the title of distinguished cultural creator of Montenegro.