An internationally renowned photography exhibition, marking the 25th anniversary of KFOR in Kosova, will open in Rochdale next month.
‘KFOR and Kosovo +25’ will be on display from 16 January until 28 February 2026 at Number One Riverside in the town centre.
Produced in partnership with Heartstone and funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, ‘KFOR and Kosovo +25’ includes over 50 photographs from photojournalist Nick Sidle during the operation’s early stages. The images provide a unique insight into the work of peacekeepers whilst highlighting the human stories of the people of Kosova, and the need for such an intervention to take place so they could safeguard lives, homes and re-build ordinary life in extraordinary circumstances. The free exhibition will also tell the stories of those involved and refugees who fled to Manchester to set up home.
Before coming to Rochdale the exhibition has been on display at the Tower of London, the National Museum of Kosova in Pristina, the House of Commons, NATO HQ and at The Fusiliers Museum in Bury.
It will be officially opened by the Mayor of Rochdale, councillor Janet Emsley at 4pm on 15 January 2026. Sita Kumari, director of Heartstone, who organised the original access will present the background to the story, how it was gathered, and its role at the time and today.
In 1999, KFOR, the NATO led international peacekeeping force, entered Kosova following Resolution 1244 by the United Nations Security Council. 2024 was the 25th anniversary of that deployment. The first UN Security Council Resolution connected to Kosova was passed on 31March 1998 and the second on 23 September 1998. This was followed by a series of resolutions culminating in Resolution 1244 one year later.
The exhibition will take visitors through a visual, non-political, cultural experience into a world where they can empathise with those of different backgrounds, understand the commonality of human experience, why the issues need to be addressed, the need for peacekeeping forces and the refugee experience. Some local veterans who have already been traced are part of the programme.
