Dua Lipa Receives Kosovan Citizenship in Honor of Her Global Cultural Contributions

International pop star Dua Lipa has been granted citizenship of Kosovo in recognition of her impact on global music and her advocacy for the country's cultural identity. 

The 29-year-old singer, born in London to Kosovan-Albanian parents, was officially awarded citizenship during a ceremony led by Kosovo’s president, Vjosa Osmani.

Image Source: PopVibes

Lipa spent part of her childhood in Pristina after her family relocated to Kosovo following its declaration of independence in 2008. She later returned to London as a teenager to pursue her music career.

The ceremony took place during her visit to Pristina for the Sunny Hill Festival, an event she co-founded in 2018 alongside her father, Dukagjin Lipa. During the opening night, she performed the song Era with her father, singing in Albanian. 

The audience included local schoolchildren who welcomed her by singing her hit track Levitating.

President Osmani presented Lipa with a formal citizenship certificate, calling her one of Kosovo’s most influential cultural figures and highlighting her role in elevating the country's image on the international stage. 

Officials noted that her artistic achievements and vocal support for Kosovan youth and creativity had made her an enduring symbol of national pride.

Lipa expressed her gratitude in a social media post, reflecting on the emotional significance of receiving citizenship in the city where she spent formative years. 

She described the moment as unforgettable and emphasized how closely her identity remains tied to Kosovo’s history and people.

This recognition comes just two years after Lipa was granted Albanian citizenship by President Bajram Begaj in 2022, further acknowledging her dual heritage and deep connections to the region.

Since launching her career in 2013, Lipa has become a dominant figure in global pop music. She has scored four No. 1 singles and two No. 1 albums in the UK, with hit tracks such as New Rules, Training Season, and One Kiss with Calvin Harris earning her international acclaim.

Kosovo, officially known as the Republic of Kosovo, is a landlocked territory in Southeast Europe situated in the central Balkans. It shares borders with Albania to the southwest, Montenegro to the west, Serbia to the north and east, and North Macedonia to the southeast. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008; however, its statehood remains partially recognized. 

As of now, over 100 United Nations member states have recognized Kosovo as an independent country, though several have since withdrawn or frozen their recognition. 

Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence and continues to claim it as part of its sovereign territory, a position supported by some other countries, including Russia and China. 

The dispute over its status remains a focal point in regional and international diplomacy.