Absolute powerhouse Dua Lipa has received the first-ever key to the city of Prishtina, Kosova – the artist’s hometown where she spent a good chunk of her life after the family moved there from London in 2008.
[jwplayer BJc4no54]
In Australia at least, copping a key to the city means you’ve been one heck of a quality ambassador for your city and an upstanding citizen – I’m going to say Lipa very much meets the mark.
The 22-year-old is currently in the city for the Sunny Hill Festival, fronted by Lipa and organised by her father Dukagjin Lipa.
It’s always been a dream for Lipa senior to have Kosova culturally recognised for its contribution to the arts – a dream made reality with the help of his extremely successful daughter who has spent the last few months reppin’ the fest.
Sunny Hill Festival will run for three days in Kosova with ticket proceeds going to the Sunny Hill Foundation – an organisation aimed at helping underprivileged youth reach their potential in the arts. The foundation is under the patronage of the artist, herself.
Lipa shared the news to her social media channels writing it was “such an honour to be given the first key to the city of Prishtina, Kosova from the Mayor of Prishtina, Shpend Ahmeti. Thank you for your endless support.”
https://twitter.com/DUALIPA/status/1027921926323412992
According to Google translate, that last bit in Albanian translates to “I feel very proud that we can contribute to the future of youth, culture and arts.”
Lipa arrived in the city earlier this week where she attended a press conference to thank everyone who had bought tickets and donated to the Sunny Hill Foundation.
In a post on her Instagram Lipa wrote:
“To date Sunny Hill Foundation has raised €100,000 ($175,000 AUD) and we have chosen to give it all out to charities close to our heart, cultural organisations, and music schools in Kosovo. Thank you from the bottom of our heart for all of your help and I hope that this is the beginning of a very long lived establishment that works towards the future of art, culture and the youth of Kosova.”
Man, that’s real sweet.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmQKkOiFsEy/?taken-by=dualipa
The fest, with it’s diverse line up, is currently taking place and will wrap up on August 12. Artists set to appear includes rapper Action Bronson, R&B singer Grace Carter, SG Lewis, Bondax, and local talent Dren Abazi and his Zig Zag Orchestra.
Lipa literally just posted a couple of shots from the fest a few minutes ago and it looks absolutely INSANE:
“ONE TIME FOR MY HOMETOWN!!
A lot has changed since I was last here 2 years ago with only 35 minutes worth of songs and no album out at the time and still the love was just the same! So proud to have brought my Self-titled tour show and give you the full show that I’ve always wanted to do! Thank you @sunnyhillfestival excited to run around the festival today and just enjoy another day of fun!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmVkIKvlb_x/?taken-by=dualipa
As for fresh Lipa content, she told Rolling Stone she’s been working with Swedish songwriter Max Martin on her new album.
You can check out that interview, below:
