Arbër Selmani is a journalist and poet from Pristina, Kosovo. He has published four books and has participated in numerous literature festivals in Europe such as the International Literature Festival in Pristina, Zana International Literature Festival, LITERODROM – Literature Festival in Slovenia and the XV Biennale of Young Artists from Europe and Mediterranean in Rome and Thessaloniki. His poems and stories have been translated to Italian, Slovenian, German, Bosnian, Serbo-Croatian, Greek and English. His works have been published in Songs of Eretz Poetry Review, Zoetic Press, Changes Press, Ethel Zine, The Impossible Archetype and Rhodora Magazine. Arbër was awarded a Sakharov Fellowship in 2018 by the European Parliament in Brussels. In 2022, he was the curator of the exhibition 'Mirror.Entirety' which opened February 2022 in Pristina.

2023 IVLP Impact Award Project: Kindness Triumphs

The project raised awareness about the needs of people with disabilities in Kosovo and about their talents and contributions to society, and challenged the stereotypes and stigma that often surround them. Five professional videos were produced that highlighted the lives of 20 people with disabilities in Kosovo and the work of NGOs that support  them. The videos were broadcast on multiple media outlets.

Arbër also participated in a panel discussion with other Awardees who implemented both 2022 and 2023 IVLP Impact Award projects as part of the IVLP Impact Awards Alumni Discussion Series panel on “Sustainable Community Impact,” which you can read more about here.

Watch All of Arbër's Project Videos Here

“Nobody has shared my story in this very positive and empowering way.” – Video participant

2022 IVLP Impact Award Project: Let Me In, Let Me Out - Exhibition on People with Disabilities

This artistic exhibition in Pristina, Kosovo featured personal belongings of people with disabilities, including writings, toys, wheelchairs, clothes, toiletries, photographs and other objects. Eight artists participated in the exhibition, which ran from November 17 to December 4, and attracted approximately 1,000 visitors. The Minister of Culture in Kosovo highlighted the exhibition as a “must-see” event. It was a highlight of Kosovo's 2022 "Year of People with Special Needs." 

"This is an amazing artistic intervention, a valuable one for everyone. I am beyond privileged my son is part of the exhibition and we got to highlight his talent and his love for life." - Sebahate Beqiri Hajdini, founder of Down Syndrome Kosova

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Arbër participated in the IVLP Project A Global Moment in Time - Reflections on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in 2021 and 2023, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center in partnership with Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, Global Ties Detroit, WorldBoston, WorldChicago, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Global Ties Kalamazoo, International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, Global Minnesota, WorldOrlando, Global Ties Arizona, WorldOregon, and Global Ties San Francisco.

Arbër's exchange experience led him to develop his IVLP Impact Award Project: "IVLP brought to life one of my biggest dreams: to help people in need by providing more visibility for them, in many levels and dimensions."

U.S. Communities Visited in 2023

San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Cleveland, OH

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually in 2021

Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Washington, DC; Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Cleveland, OH; Portland, OR

Country of Origin: Kosovo

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