International pop sensation Dua Lipa has been officially granted Kosovo citizenship in recognition of her global cultural impact and unwavering connection to her ancestral homeland. The ceremony, held on August 1, 2025, in Pristina during the opening of the Sunny Hill Festival, marked an emotional homecoming for the British-Albanian artist. President Vjosa Osmani personally handed over the citizenship documents in front of a cheering crowd and a children’s choir that serenaded Lipa with her hit song “Levitating.” The moment not only celebrated Lipa’s music career but also her influence in representing Kosovo with pride on international platforms.
President Osmani praised the singer for being a “global ambassador of Kosovan youth and identity,” highlighting how Lipa has consistently uplifted the narrative of Kosovo in global media. The artist, visibly moved, shared her thoughts on the moment, saying, “It feels like my two sides are now one,” reflecting the deep emotional resonance of receiving recognition from the country her family once fled during the Kosovo War. Already holding British and Albanian citizenship, Dua Lipa now becomes a triple citizen, symbolizing her layered identity as an artist born in London to Kosovar-Albanian parents, who lived in Pristina during her early teenage years.
The citizenship announcement coincided with the 2025 Sunny Hill Festival, Kosovo’s biggest cultural event—co-founded by Dua and her father, Dukagjin Lipa. Since its launch in 2018, the festival has grown into an international platform showcasing both global stars and local talent. This year’s edition, held from August 1 to 3, featured performances by Shawn Mendes, Fatboy Slim, and Dua Lipa herself, who performed with her father in a rare on-stage collaboration. Mendes notably opened his “On The Road Again” tour in Pristina, underscoring the growing global reach of the Sunny Hill brand.
On social media, Lipa celebrated the moment with heartfelt enthusiasm. Sharing pictures from the event, she wrote, “Got my XK citizenship the night before and then partied hard at @sunnyhillfestival the night after!!!! … lovinggggg lifeeee.” Her gratitude was echoed by President Osmani and other dignitaries, including British Ambassador Jonathan Hargreaves, who described Lipa as a cultural bridge between Kosovo and the United Kingdom.
Dua Lipa’s rise to global fame began with chart-topping hits like “New Rules,” “Don’t Start Now,” and “Levitating.” A multiple Grammy and BRIT Award winner, she was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 and has used her platform to speak on issues including feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and refugee crises. In 2022, she was made an honorary ambassador of Kosovo and has since continued to support young artists in the country through her Sunny Hill Foundation. Her music and activism have made her one of the most prominent voices of her generation, bridging East and West, past and future.
Kosovans have long viewed Lipa as one of their own, even before the formal citizenship. For many in the country, her recognition is a moment of pride, proof that even a small, often overlooked nation can shine through the success of its diaspora. “Our gratitude is endless for all that Dua has done and continues to do for Kosovo,” President Osmani wrote on social media, welcoming her as not just a citizen, but a beacon of inspiration for the country’s youth.
Lipa’s new Kosovan citizenship serves not only as a personal milestone but as a statement of identity, resilience, and cultural unity. As Kosovo continues to build its global presence through diplomacy, art, and youth leadership, Dua Lipa’s symbolic return to her roots reminds the world that stars don’t just rise from big nations, they rise from dreams, determination, and a love for home.
