The Institute for Hybrid Warfare Studies “OCTOPUS” will host a forum on Saturday, June 28, 2025, dedicated to reexamining historical narratives, under the theme: “Vidovdan between Myth and Geopolitics: Its Role in the Serbian National Project.” The event aims to spotlight the strategic use of this narrative in advancing Serbian state policies toward Kosovo and the broader region.
The forum will gather prominent academics, security experts, Albanologists, philosophers, and journalists from Kosovo and abroad to explore the historical, ideological, and geopolitical dimensions of the Vidovdan myth. The discussions will shed light on how this narrative has been instrumentalized as a tool of nationalism and Serbia’s expansionist political agenda.
Panelists for the roundtable include:
- Dr. Stephan Keck – Historian, Dean at Universum College
- Dr. Zymer Neziri – Albanologist, Institute of Albanology
- Dr. Bejtush Gashi – Security Expert, Former Minister of Internal Affairs
- Dr. Ibrahim Gashi – Professor, University of Prishtina | Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Dr. Christian Costamagna – Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Rijeka (Italy), CAS SEE
- Dr. Enver Bytyqi – Professor of Political Science
- Dr. Durim Abdullahu – Historian, University of Prishtina
- Ridvan Emini, PhD candidate – Philosopher and Journalist
The forum will be moderated by Dr. Gurakuç Kuçi, Senior Researcher at the OCTOPUS Institute and organizer of the event.
“This forum is more than an academic debate. It represents a counter-narrative to a myth that has been used to justify violent policies, oppression of Albanians, and geopolitical aggression in the Balkans.”
The event will take place with the participation of the general public, civil society representatives, diplomats, young researchers, and members of the media. It will also be broadcast live on media channels and the official social media platforms of the OCTOPUS Institute.
