Istog
Istog or Burimi (Albanian) or Istok/Исток (Serbian) is the name of a town, which is the seat of its municipality, situated in western part of Kosovo, (under UN administration, formally part of Serbia).
Name
It is claimed that the name of the town comes from Albanian word "Shtog" which means elder, a tree very spread in Istog: I shtogut - i stogut - Istog. It is claimed also that the name of the town comes from the archaic version of Serbian word istok (modern version istek), meaning well, water source referring to the springs of the river Istočka reka, a tributary to the White Drin river. Also there is a claim, that it is an old Illyrian name. The name of the nearby village of Vrela, one of the largest settlements in the municipality also means springs. Nowdays is Burimi (meaning well) one of the used names.
Economy
After WWII, watermills on the river of Istog/Istok were nationalized and new fish plant was built to operate as a Socially-owned Enterprise. The company's name during socialism was "Ribnjak" (in Serbian) meaning "Piscatory or Fishery", and when it was privatized as Motel "Trofta" (in Albanian) meaning "Trout", or the type of fish it has been and is still producing, selling, and distributing. The company currently employs around 70 workers.
Demographics
According to the 1991 census, the population of the municipality numbered 57,261, including 76.68% Albanians, 12.70% Serbs and Montenegrins, 7.11% Muslims by nationality, etc.
Although there is no official data, the total population of the municipality is estimated at 65,000.
Some notable features
Istog/Istok is the home to the strongest wind in the Western Balkans flowing from North to South;
One of the largest prison in Europe is located 4-5km to the east of Istog/Istok (Dubrava Prison);
Former Presdient of Kosovo, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, was born in Istog/Istok (in the village of Cerrcë);
The father of the famous Turkish-Albanian poet Mehmet Akif Ersoy was born in Istog/Istok (in the village of Shushica);
Agnesa Vuthaj, who was crowned Miss Kosova 2003, Miss Albania 2004, and represented Albania in Miss World 2005 hosted in the city of Sanya in China, was born in Istog/Istok on 8 February 1986.
See also
External links
- Komuna e Istogut The official website of the Municipality of Istog, in Albanian, English, and Serbian.
- Istogu.com News and information about stog/Istok.
- OSCE profile of Istog / Istok
- SOK Kosovo and its population
