- Flag of Kosovo
Infobox Flag
Name = Kosovo
Article =
Type =
Nickname =
Morenicks =
Use = 010000
Symbol =
Proportion = 2:3 cite web|url=http://www.kajtazi.info/flag-emblem-kosovo.pdf |title=Kosovo Unity Team announces the COMPETITION FOR THE FLAG AND EMBLEM OF KOSOVO |accessdate=2008-07-31 |date=2007-06-13 |format=PDF |publisher=Kosovo Unity Team ]
Adoption = 17 February 2008
Design = Blue with six white stars in an arc above a gold-coloured map of Kosovo in the center.
Designer = Muhamer IbrahimiThe flag of the Republic of Kosovo was adopted by the
Assembly of Kosovo immediately following the declaration of independence of theRepublic of Kosovo fromSerbia cite news | first=Helen | last=Fawkes | coauthors= | title=Kosovo celebrates 'dream come true' | date=2008-02-17 | publisher= | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7249905.stm | work =BBC News | pages = | accessdate = 2008-09-07 | language = ] on 17 February 2008.cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Kosovo MPs proclaim independence | date=2008-02-17 | publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7249034.stm | work =BBC News | pages = | accessdate = 2008-09-07 | language = ] Theflag is partly the result of an international design competition, organized by theUnited Nations -backed provisional government, which attracted almost one thousand entries.cite news | first=Andrew | last=Wander | coauthors= | title=With independence looming, Kosovo to pick a flag | date=2008-02-08 | publisher= | url =http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0208/p25s04-woeu.html | work =Christian Science Monitor | pages = | accessdate = 2008-09-07 | language = ] The now-used design is a variant of one proposal designed by Muhamer Ibrahimi.cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title= Prime Minister Thaçi meets designer of Kosova flag Mr. Muhamer Ibrahimi | date=2008-02-23 | publisher=Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo | url =http://www.ks-gov.net/pm/Lajme/tabid/62/EntryID/253/Default.aspx | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-09-07 | language = ] It shows six white stars in an arc above a golden map of Kosovo on a blue field. [http://www.kosovapress.com/ks/index.php?cid=2,2,38819 Parliament adopted the flag of Kosovo state] , "Kosovapress", Priština, 17 February 2008.] They are officially meant to symbolize Kosovo's six major ethnic groups. [cite news |first= Terri Bryce|last= Reeves|title= Former Kosovar leader rejoices from afar|url= http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/19/Northpinellas/Former_Kosovar_leader.shtml|work= St. Petersburg Times|date= 2008-02-19|accessdate=2008-02-19 ]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: [cite news |first= Terri Bryce|last= Reeves|title= Former Kosovar leader rejoices from afar|url= http://www.sptimes.com/2008/02/19/Northpinellas/Former_Kosovar_leader.shtml|work= St. Petersburg Times|date= 2008-02-19|accessdate=2008-02-19 ]
Albanians ,Serbs , Turks, Gorani, Roma (often grouped with theAshkali and Egyptians cite web|url=http://www.osce.org/item/21757.html |title=OSCE Kosovo Mission helps push for greater integration of minorities |accessdate=2008-08-14 |last=Salihu |first=Mevlyde |date=2006-10-19 |publisher=Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe ] ) andBosniaks . 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 usingCMYK . cite web|url=http://www.ks-gov.net/pm/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=uaepczKkktU%3d&tabid=36 |title=National Flag of Kosovo |accessdate=2008-09-23 |date=2008 |format=PDF |publisher=Office of the Prime Minister of Kosovo ] The use of the Kosovo flag is regulated by the law: "Law on the Use of Kosovo State Symbols". cite web|url=http://www.assembly-kosova.org/common/docs/ligjet/2008_03-L038_en.pdf |title=2008/03-L038 Law on the Use of Kosovo State Symbols |accessdate=2008-08-15 |date=2008-02-20 |format=PDF |publisher=Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo ] However, the Serbian Government objects to the use of the Kosovo flag at international meetings and gatherings.cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Hackers post Kosovo flag on Serb official site | date=2008-09-12 | publisher=Reuters | url =http://news.ninemsn.com.au/technology/630147/hackers-post-kosovo-flag-on-serb-official-site/?rss=yes | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-09-21 | language = ] Still, some opponents of Kosovar independence believe that the stars represent each territory that extremist Albanians desire to fashion into a "Greater Albania ".cite news | first=Tim | last=Judah | coauthors= | title=Could Balkan break-up continue? | date=2008-02-22 | publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation | url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7256488.stm | work =BBC News | pages = | accessdate = 2008-08-14 | language = ]The flag of Kosovo resembles that of Bosnia and Herzegovina in terms of colours and shapes used (white stars and yellow shape of the country on a blue field). The flag is unusual among
national flag s in using a map as an emblem; theflag of Cyprus is the other. cite web|url=http://www.cyprusflag.net/ |title=The Republic of Cyprus flag |accessdate=2008-09-07 |date=2007 ] [For sporting events, theKorean Unification Flag uses a map of the Korean peninsula. See: cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Unification flag, Arirang tapped for unified Korean team | date=2001-03-19 | publisher=Kyodo News International | url =http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0WDQ/is_2001_March_26/ai_72697302 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-09-07 | language = ]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.cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Kosovo to pick a state flag | date=2008-02-09 | publisher= | url =http://www.newkosovareport.com/20080209526/Society/Kosovo-to-pick-a-state-flag.html | work =New Kosova Report | pages = | accessdate = 2008-09-07 | language = ] Under the terms of UN talks, all such symbols would have to reflect the multi-ethnic nature of Kosovo, 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, 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.cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Kosovo Starts Selection of its Future Flag and Emblem | date=2007-05-07 | publisher=Balkan Investigative Reporting Network | url =http://www.birn.eu.com/en/91/15/3504/ | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-08-14 | language = ]The three proposals selected were forwarded to the Assembly on 4 February 2008.cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Priština daily speculates on indepedence date | date=2008-02-05 | publisher= | url =http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2008&mm=02&dd=05&nav_id=47488 | work =Beta | pages = | accessdate = 2008-08-14 | language = ]
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.
* A vertical tricolour of black, white and red.cite news | first=David | last=Charter | coauthors= | title=Wanted: new flag and anthem for Kosovo | date=2008-02-11 | publisher= | url =http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article3352529.ece | work =Times Online | pages = | accessdate = 2008-08-14 | language = ]
* A vertical tricolour of black, white and red with a spiral (Dardanian symbol of the rotating sun) in the center of the white stripe.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.
Other proposals
Ibrahim Rugova , the firstpresident 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. cite web|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/rs-kosov.html#dar |title=Kosovo (Province, Serbia) - Dardania (flag of uncertain status) |accessdate=2008-08-14 |date=2008-02-23 |work=Flags of the World ] This flag did not gain much popularity,cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Kosovo Television Debate: Kosovar flags and symbols | date=2005-12-21 | publisher=Balkan Investigative Reporting Network | url =http://www.birn.eu.com/en/1/50/135/ | work =RTK | pages = | accessdate = 2008-08-14 | language = ] 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.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 .cite news | first=Bojan | last=Pancevski | coauthors= | title=Call for calm as Kosovo independence looms | date=2008-02-26 | publisher= | url =http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1578877/Call-for-calm-as-Kosovo-independence-looms.html | work =Telegraph.co.uk | pages = | accessdate = 2008-08-14 | language = ]ee also
*
Coat of arms of Kosovo
*Flag of Albania
*Flag of Serbia
*List of flags of Kosovo
*National anthem of Kosovo References
External links
* [http://www.unosek.org/unosek/en/statusproposal.html The Comprehensive proposal for Kosovo Status Settlement by UNOSEK]
* [http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics-article.php?yyyy=2007&mm=05&dd=30&nav_category=93&nav_id=41493 Kosovo looking for state emblems]
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