Although she’s already a singer, songwriter, and even a model from time to time, on Friday, Dua Lipa added yet another accolade to her list. “Yesterday afternoon I was awarded the title of Honourary Ambassador of Kosovo by our Madame President #VjosaOsmani,” she wrote on Twitter. “It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to represent my country all over the world and to continue my work and efforts globally to see that we leave our mark… and make a difference,” she continued.
Kosovo is Lipa’s hometown— a young state in the middle of the Balkans, which declared its independence from Serbia back in 2008 (although Serbia has yet to recognize it as an independent state). It is also the home of the Sunny Hill Music Festival, originally founded by Lipa’s father and manager, Dukagjin Lipa. Sunny Hill debuted back in 2019, featuring artists like Miley Cyrus, Martin Garrix, and Calvin Harris, all of whom brought massive amounts of publicity to this small and relatively unknown region. This year’s festival is currently underway and will continue through Aug. 8.
“The youth of Kosovo deserves the right to visa liberalization, freedom to travel and to dream big.”
Since its inception, Lipa’s father said he’s seen the festival covered in over 500 outlets, finally giving the Republic of Kosovo some of the recognition it deserves, per Billboard. And evidently, Vjosa Osmani Sadriu, the President of Kosovo, agrees. “The Future Nostalgia tour has sent waves across the music industry and the world, and you continue to make us immensely proud of your successes,” Sadriu wrote in a letter to Lipa, also posted on Twitter.
“Aside from being a world-class and a once-in-a-generation musician, you are also a role model for many girls and women across the world as a forthright and conscientious activist. But above all, what you have done for the people of Kosovo, in raising awareness of the Republic of Kosovo is unmatched and truly invaluable.”
President Sadriu went on to invite the Lipa family to her office to talk more about “causes we both feel strongly about.” This is where Lipa was officially awarded her new title, sharing photos with Sadriu fastening a medal around her neck. “The youth of Kosovo deserves the right to visa liberalization, freedom to travel and to dream big,” Lipa wrote on Twitter. “Thank you 🇽🇰❤️”