Besa Lusi

In the heart of Prishtina, the capital city of Kosovo, there grew a girl with a name that meant “faith,” Besa. And true to her name, she believed deeply in truth, justice, and the power of stories.

As a young girl, Besa loved to ask questions. Not just simple questions, but the kind that made people pause and think. She was curious about the world, about people’s lives, about the things others were too afraid to say out loud. She read books, listened carefully, and always wanted to understand more.

Growing up in a newly independent country, Besa saw how important it was for voices to be heard, especially the voices of women, of youth, and of those who were often silenced. She didn’t want to just sit back and watch. She wanted to make a difference.

Besa studied journalism, not because she wanted to be famous, but because she wanted to tell the stories that mattered. She believed that writing could be a kind of activism. That words, when used bravely, could challenge power and inspire people to think differently.

And so she created something bold.

In 2013, Besa became the founding editor-in-chief of a new magazine in Kosovo called “Kosovo 2.0.” It wasn’t like other magazines. It wasn’t afraid to talk about things people whispered about behind closed doors, things like gender, identity, justice, love, and inequality. It was a space for open minds, brave ideas, and real conversations.

At a time when Kosovo was still finding its voice, Besa helped create a platform that encouraged others to use theirs. She gave space to the stories of women, of LGBTQ+ people, of minorities, of artists, of rebels and thinkers: the people whose voices too often went unheard.

But being brave is not always easy.

When Kosovo 2.0 published an issue on sexuality, the magazine’s office was attacked. The event was stormed. There were threats. Some people wanted to silence her. But Besa stood strong. She knew that doing the right thing sometimes came with risk. She said, “Freedom of speech and human rights are not up for debate.” And she meant it.

She kept going.

Under her leadership, the magazine became one of the most respected platforms in the region. It won awards and recognition, not just for its beautiful design and writing, but for its courage.

Besa showed that journalism could be powerful without shouting. That real change could come from listening. That ideas could be louder than violence. And that being a woman in media didn’t mean being quiet or agreeable, it meant being smart, strong, and unafraid.

Today, Besa continues to write, speak, and create. She mentors others. She believes in young people, in their ability to shape the future. She believes in Kosovo, not just as a country, but as a place of creativity, possibility, and resistance.

By Neve Clements