History
Potpuri began in 2021 through the Prishtina Lab, a six-month laboratory within the Master’s programme in Transdisciplinarity at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK). The Lab brought together ZHdK students, independent researchers, and artists from Termokiss Community Center in Prishtina to ponder the social, cultural, and political dimensions of the Kosova–Switzerland migration history through our own lived encounters. Through this exchange, we began developing a publication that could document and hold the complexity of our perspectives in physical form. A printed newspaper to honor the lived inscriptions of our experiences.
After one year of development, we conceptualized and named the platform Potpuri. The first two editions were produced within the framework of ZHdK: a space to test and refine our editorial approach, production methods, and collective working structures. In 2023, we chose to continue beyond the academic context and established Verein Nafakë as the legal body supporting the platform. Since then, the annual Gazeta has continued to bring together an expanding network of contributors and readers across Kosova, Switzerland, and beyond.
After one year of development, we conceptualized and named the platform Potpuri. The first two editions were produced within the framework of ZHdK: a space to test and refine our editorial approach, production methods, and collective working structures. In 2023, we chose to continue beyond the academic context and established Verein Nafakë as the legal body supporting the platform. Since then, the annual Gazeta has continued to bring together an expanding network of contributors and readers across Kosova, Switzerland, and beyond.
Methods
Potpuri’s methodology is based on collective publishing practices, where the development of the Gazeta is understood as a shared process rather than a linear production cycle. Each edition begins with an open call and develops through the Potpuri Lab, a six-month process in which contributors meet regularly to exchange ideas, develop their contributions, and engage with the broader theme of the edition. The process allows different forms of knowledge, experience, and expertise to meet, while editorial decisions are shaped collectively through ongoing dialogue.
The production of the Gazeta continues this collaborative approach beyond the editorial process. Contributors, editors, translators, designers, and other collaborators work together across the different stages of the publication, from the development of texts to the physical making of the newspaper. Through collective printing and binding, the act of producing the Gazeta becomes part of the publication itself, connecting the content, the process, and the people involved.
The production of the Gazeta continues this collaborative approach beyond the editorial process. Contributors, editors, translators, designers, and other collaborators work together across the different stages of the publication, from the development of texts to the physical making of the newspaper. Through collective printing and binding, the act of producing the Gazeta becomes part of the publication itself, connecting the content, the process, and the people involved.
Team
Potpuri is created by a collective of artists, educators, researchers, cultural workers, and collaborators between Kosovo and Switzerland. Nafakë provides the organisational structure that supports the continuity of Potpuri, while each edition of the Gazeta develops through a new Project Team shaped around the specific focus, themes, and requirements of the publication.
Each Project Team brings together contributors from different parts of the Potpuri structure. The Editorial Team develops the content and ensures the quality and coherence of the publication. The Labs Team facilitates the collaborative process through which contributors develop ideas and work towards the annual Gazeta. The Visual Identity Team develops the graphic language of each edition, while the Production Team coordinates the material realisation of the publication. The Web Development Team maintains the digital platforms, and the Social Media & Communication Team supports the public presence of Potpuri.
Project Teams bring together members of the Operational Office, contributors selected through open calls, and members of the Support Team. Through the Potpuri Labs framework, these teams develop the annual Gazeta in a process of collaborative research, discussion, experimentation, and collective production. Each team brings different practices, experiences, and forms of knowledge to shape the identity of each edition.
Project Teams take responsibility for the conception, development, and publication of the annual Gazeta. They work independently on editorial decisions and maintain full responsibility for the content they produce. Nafakë’s organisational structures provide support, and coordination, but they do not directly influence the creative and editorial processes of the Project Teams. This non-interference principle protects the integrity of each publication.
Each Project Team brings together contributors from different parts of the Potpuri structure. The Editorial Team develops the content and ensures the quality and coherence of the publication. The Labs Team facilitates the collaborative process through which contributors develop ideas and work towards the annual Gazeta. The Visual Identity Team develops the graphic language of each edition, while the Production Team coordinates the material realisation of the publication. The Web Development Team maintains the digital platforms, and the Social Media & Communication Team supports the public presence of Potpuri.
Project Teams bring together members of the Operational Office, contributors selected through open calls, and members of the Support Team. Through the Potpuri Labs framework, these teams develop the annual Gazeta in a process of collaborative research, discussion, experimentation, and collective production. Each team brings different practices, experiences, and forms of knowledge to shape the identity of each edition.
Project Teams take responsibility for the conception, development, and publication of the annual Gazeta. They work independently on editorial decisions and maintain full responsibility for the content they produce. Nafakë’s organisational structures provide support, and coordination, but they do not directly influence the creative and editorial processes of the Project Teams. This non-interference principle protects the integrity of each publication.
Network
Potpuri’s network has developed through the contributors, mentors, collaborators, and institutions involved in the platform since its first edition. Across three editions of the Gazeta, the project has grown through the participation of artists, researchers, cultural workers, and organisations that have supported its development.
The network includes contributors from Potpuri: Gazeta 01, Gazeta 02, and Gazeta 03, including Adelina Ismaili, Arian Vula, Diona Kusari, Elisa Pezza, Emanuel Haab, Endrit Tasholli, Era Qena, Fabian Gutscher, Christiaan Gieben, Jan Reimann, Fisnik Eger, Frédéric Bron, Judith Weidmann, Nikola Koruga, Nistiman Erdede, Njomza Dragusha, Roxani Marty Pavlaki, Shpat Shkodra, Tinka Kelmendi, Nora Longatti, Ardita Avdija, Aurela Berila, Mara Djukarić, Shpat Ejupi, Roni Idrizaj, Dea Pllana, Delnia Rahimzadegan, Basil Rogger, Egor Tatarenko, Amalia Koleka, Anastasiia Tatarenko, Besa Ferati, Drin Ceku, ERN, Gëzim Thaqi, Leonita Galica, Manushaqe Ibrahimi, Nol Gashi, Nora Tahiraj, Toska Salihu, Xhemila Asani, Xhenisa Demiri, and others who have contributed to the platform.
The wider Potpuri network includes collaborators and mentors such as Nicole Frei, Caroline Baur, INES – Institut Neue Schweiz, Etrit Hasler, Bujar Aruqaj, Rozafa Basha, Ervina Halili, WOZ – Die Wochenzeitung, Fabrik Zeitung, K-set, Binak Kelmendi, Adelina Gashi, Aargauer Kantonsbibliothek, Kosovo 2.0, Ibrahim Berisha, and Atdhe Hetemi.
Potpuri’s development has also been supported by institutional partners and funders, including the European Union, Zurich University of the Arts, Kosovo 2.0, the Foundation for Language and Training Promotion (SSUB) (Migros), and Provitreff Verein.
The network includes contributors from Potpuri: Gazeta 01, Gazeta 02, and Gazeta 03, including Adelina Ismaili, Arian Vula, Diona Kusari, Elisa Pezza, Emanuel Haab, Endrit Tasholli, Era Qena, Fabian Gutscher, Christiaan Gieben, Jan Reimann, Fisnik Eger, Frédéric Bron, Judith Weidmann, Nikola Koruga, Nistiman Erdede, Njomza Dragusha, Roxani Marty Pavlaki, Shpat Shkodra, Tinka Kelmendi, Nora Longatti, Ardita Avdija, Aurela Berila, Mara Djukarić, Shpat Ejupi, Roni Idrizaj, Dea Pllana, Delnia Rahimzadegan, Basil Rogger, Egor Tatarenko, Amalia Koleka, Anastasiia Tatarenko, Besa Ferati, Drin Ceku, ERN, Gëzim Thaqi, Leonita Galica, Manushaqe Ibrahimi, Nol Gashi, Nora Tahiraj, Toska Salihu, Xhemila Asani, Xhenisa Demiri, and others who have contributed to the platform.
The wider Potpuri network includes collaborators and mentors such as Nicole Frei, Caroline Baur, INES – Institut Neue Schweiz, Etrit Hasler, Bujar Aruqaj, Rozafa Basha, Ervina Halili, WOZ – Die Wochenzeitung, Fabrik Zeitung, K-set, Binak Kelmendi, Adelina Gashi, Aargauer Kantonsbibliothek, Kosovo 2.0, Ibrahim Berisha, and Atdhe Hetemi.
Potpuri’s development has also been supported by institutional partners and funders, including the European Union, Zurich University of the Arts, Kosovo 2.0, the Foundation for Language and Training Promotion (SSUB) (Migros), and Provitreff Verein.