Faik Rexhepi

Symbol of Peaceful Resistance

In August 1990, Faik Rexhepi, a worker from Presheva employed at "Feronikel" in Drenas, participated in a peaceful protest in Prishtina to welcome an American congressional delegation. Amidst a brutal intervention by Serbian police to disperse the crowd, Rexhepi remained seated cross-legged in the middle of the street, embodying nonviolent resistance against the oppressive regime.

This act of defiance was captured in an iconic photograph by Hazir Reka, which later inspired the sculpture titled "Cross Legs" by artist Eliza Shala. Unveiled on November 28, 2022, in Prishtina's "Zahir Pajaziti" square, the sculpture stands as a tribute to Rexhepi's unwavering courage and the broader struggle for freedom in Kosovo.

Faik Rexhepi passed away on February 24, 2025. His legacy endures as a testament to the power of peaceful resistance and the enduring spirit of those who stand against injustice.