by Arta, age 8 from Pristina, Kosovo, asks Santa about Christmas roses, Kosovo’s recent independence, and its religious diversity.
Dear Santa, my name is Arta, and I am eight years old. I live in Pristina, Kosovo, where my gjyshe says our country is one of the youngest in the whole world, only officially independent since 2008.
Dear Arta, a young country still writing its own story is a wonderful thing to fly over, and I always feel a little extra hope visiting places building something new.
Santa, I have three questions.
What is a Christmas rose? My teacher showed us a picture of a white flower blooming in the snow and called it that.
A Christmas rose is a real flower, Arta, also called hellebore, known for blooming even in the middle of winter, sometimes right through the snow. It is a lovely little reminder that beauty can show up in the coldest, quietest moments.
My teacher says Kosovo is a fairly new country, having declared independence not too long ago. Is that true?
It is true, Arta, Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, making it one of the newer countries on my whole map. I made sure to update my records right away, a new country deserves proper attention on my route.
My gjyshe says Kosovo is home to Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox Christian communities all living in the same towns. Is that true?
It is true, Arta, Kosovo is home to a religiously diverse population, with Muslim, Catholic, and Orthodox Christian communities often sharing the same streets and neighborhoods. That kind of everyday coexistence, whatever the history behind it, is really something worth celebrating.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Arta Krasniqi
Pristina, Kosovo
P.S. Can you bring me a real Christmas rose for my windowsill?
I will see what the elves can arrange, Arta, that particular flower has a mind of its own about blooming.
