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Flag of Kosovo

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See also: List of flags of Kosovo
Kosovo
UseState flag
Proportion2:3[1]
Adopted17 February 2008 [2]
DesignBlue with six white stars in an arc above a gold-coloured map of Kosovo in the center.
Designed byMuhamer Ibrahimi

The flag of the Republic of Kosovo was adopted by the Assembly of Kosovo immediately following the unilateral declaration of independence of the Republic of Kosovo from Serbia[2] on 17 February 2008.[3][2] The flag is partly the result of an international design competition, organized by the United Nations-backed provisional government, which attracted almost one thousand entries.[4] The now-used design is a variant of one proposal designed by Muhamer Ibrahimi.[5] It shows six white stars in an arc above a golden map of Kosovo on a blue field.[6] They are officially meant to symbolize Kosovo's six major ethnic groups.[7]

Design and use

The flag of Kosovo has a blue background, charged with a map of Kosovo and six stars. The stars are officially meant to symbolize Kosovo's six major ethnic groups:[8] Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma (often grouped with the Ashkali and Egyptians[9]) and Bosniaks. The ratio of the flag is 2:3. The colors and construction of the Kosovo flag have not been defined yet, however, an official government does give the colors of the flag using CMYK.[10] The use of the Kosovo flag is regulated by the law: "Law on the Use of Kosovo State Symbols".[11] However, the Serbian Government objects to the use of the Kosovo flag at international meetings and gatherings.[12] Still, some opponents of Kosovar independence believe that the stars represent each territory that extremist Albanians desire to fashion into a "Greater Albania".[13]

The flag of Kosovo resembles the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina in terms of colours and shapes used (white stars and yellow shape of the country on a blue field). Along with Kosovo, the country of Cyprus displays a map on their current national flag.[14] For sporting events, the Korean Unification Flag uses a map of the Korean peninsula.[15]

Competition for a new flag

Before the declaration of independence, the United Nations' flag was flown in Kosovo during the period of United Nations administration. A competition for a new flag, held in June 2007, received 993 entries.[16] Under the terms of UN talks, all such symbols would have to reflect the multi-ethnic nature of Kosovo,[1] avoiding the use of the Albanian or Serbian double-headed eagles or the use of solely red and black or red, blue and white colour schemes. Additionally, all entries had to be rectangular and have a 2:3 proportion. The Kosovo Symbols Commission eventually selected three designs,[4] which were then voted on by the Assembly of Kosovo (with a two-thirds majority required for approval), when independence was declared after the status talks.[17]

The three proposals selected were forwarded to the Assembly on 4 February 2008.[18]

The proposals and final choice

  • Blue field with a white map of Kosovo surrounded by five stars. The stars vary in size and represent the different ethnic groups that reside in Kosovo. The largest star would represent ethnic Albanians.[16]
  • A vertical tricolour of black, white and red.[19]
  • A vertical tricolour of black, white and red with a spiral (Dardanian symbol of the rotating sun) in the center of the white stripe.[19]

The assembly voted on 17 February 2008 to use a variant of the first proposal. The modified version has an additional star, makes the stars equal in size, switches the colors of the stars and map, makes the map bigger, and arranges the stars in a curve above the map.[6]

  • Final flag, as chosen by Assembly on 17 February 2008
    Final flag, as chosen by Assembly on 17 February 2008
  • Original proposal of the adopted flag design.
    Original proposal of the adopted flag design.
  • Alternative proposal
    Alternative proposal
  • Alternative proposal
    Alternative proposal

Other proposals

File:Flag of Kosovo-Dardania.svg
The "Flag of Dardania"

Ibrahim Rugova, the first president of Kosovo introduced the "flag of Dardania" on October 29, 2000. The flag was blue, inscribed with a red disc with a golden ring. Inside the red disc is the Albanian eagle. The eagle is holding a ribbon with the legend "Dardania" inscribed. Dardania is the name of an ancient region in the same general area as Kosovo, but is not officially recognized by any international power.[20] This flag did not gain much popularity,[21] but was occasionally used at cultural and sports events during the UNMIK period and was also used at Rugova's funeral to cover his coffin.[20]

Prior to the declaration of independence, Kosovans displayed a flag featuring a map of Kosovo against a blue and yellow background, similar to the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[22]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flags of Kosovo.

References

  1. ^ a b "Kosovo Unity Team announces the COMPETITION FOR THE FLAG AND EMBLEM OF KOSOVO" (PDF). Kosovo Unity Team. 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  2. ^ a b c Fawkes, Helen (2008-02-17). "Kosovo celebrates 'dream come true'". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  3. ^ "Kosovo MPs proclaim independence". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2008-02-17. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ a b Wander, Andrew (2008-02-08). "With independence looming, Kosovo to pick a flag". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ "Prime Minister Thaçi meets designer of Kosova flag Mr. Muhamer Ibrahimi". Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo. 2008-02-23. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b Parliament adopted the flag of Kosovo state, Kosovapress, Priština, 17 February 2008.
  7. ^ Reeves, Terri Bryce (2008-02-19). "Former Kosovar leader rejoices from afar". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
  8. ^ Reeves, Terri Bryce (2008-02-19). "Former Kosovar leader rejoices from afar". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
  9. ^ Salihu, Mevlyde (2006-10-19). "OSCE Kosovo Mission helps push for greater integration of minorities". Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  10. ^ "National Flag of Kosovo" (PDF). Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo. 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
  11. ^ "2008/03-L038 Law on the Use of Kosovo State Symbols" (PDF). Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo. 2008-02-20. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  12. ^ "Hackers post Kosovo flag on Serb official site". Reuters. 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-09-21. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  13. ^ Judah, Tim (2008-02-22). "Could Balkan break-up continue?". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2008-08-14. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ "The Republic of Cyprus flag". 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-07.
  15. ^ "Unification flag, Arirang tapped for unified Korean team". Kyodo News International. 2001-03-19. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  16. ^ a b "Kosovo to pick a state flag". New Kosova Report. 2008-02-09. Retrieved 2008-09-07. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ "Kosovo Starts Selection of its Future Flag and Emblem". Balkan Investigative Reporting Network. 2007-05-07. Retrieved 2008-08-14. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  18. ^ "Priština daily speculates on indepedence date". Beta. 2008-02-05. Retrieved 2008-08-14. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  19. ^ a b Charter, David (2008-02-11). "Wanted: new flag and anthem for Kosovo". Times Online. Retrieved 2008-08-14. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ a b "Kosovo (Province, Serbia) - Dardania (flag of uncertain status)". Flags of the World. 2008-02-23. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  21. ^ "Kosovo Television Debate: Kosovar flags and symbols". RTK. Balkan Investigative Reporting Network. 2005-12-21. Retrieved 2008-08-14. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ Pancevski, Bojan (2008-02-26). "Call for calm as Kosovo independence looms". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 2008-08-14. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
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