30 December 2009

New Year Party kicks off in Skopje on Monday

In light of the New Year's eve, musicians from Macedonia and neighbouring countries for the first time will perform at the Skopje main square for four straight days. In addition to "Leb i Sol", Vlado Janevski and Esma Redzepova, Gibonni, "Prljavo Kazalishte" from Croatia and Manjifiko from Slovenia will perform as well. The party starts on Monday. Citizens will have the chance to see "Leb i Sol", "Area", Dario, Elena Ristevska, Jovan Jovanov, Adrijan Gaxha, Vlatko Lozanovski and DNK live between 17h and 23h. Croatian singer Daniela Martinovic, "Beatles Real Tribute" from Serbia, Mitan Projet feat. Adrijana Janevska from Macedonia, "Infuse", "Shkrip Orchestra" and "Zoambo" from Slovenia will perform on Dec. 29.
Local bands, "Foltin", "Superhiks", "Bei The Fish" as well as Zvonko Bogdan from Serbia, Jordan Kostov and "Retro Cabaret" are scheduled to hold a concert on Dec. 30. On Dec. 31, children will be greeted by Santa Claus in the afternoon, while the new year 2010 will be welcomed with the performances of Esma Redzepova, Vlado Janevski, Gibonni, "Prljavo Kazalishte" and Manjifiko.
New Year's party will be also organised at Skopje Fair, where Gorillaz Sound System and Macedonian composer and DJ Kiril Dzajkovski will be the main acts. The New Year's party is organised by the City of Skopje and ONE telecommunications operator.

28 December 2009

Santa arrives in MI 18 Helicopter

Straight from the North Pole, Santa touched down at Skopje's international airport greeted by numerous kids. Little did we know Santa travels in Russian made MI 18 helicopter. It's all about safety these days and Santa is no different.
Macedonian kids at the airport were overjoyed when they received packages full of candies, chocolates and toys. This year Santa doesn't have the time to go from house to house and preferes centralization, one location, the airport.
Macedonian kids were very modest in their wishes as usual: Three year old Skopje resident Martin wishes for a Castle with a Princess in it, while his friend Zarko requested Live Dragon that shoots Fire. Both things sound easy enough for Santa.

26 December 2009

50 CENT CONCERT IN MACEDONIA

It depends on your musical taste if you like this or not, but it's a big fish. Macedonian Company AVALON will bring 50 cent to Skopje. He will hold a concert in the Boris Trajkovski Arena on 31st of March 2010 as part of his 'Before I Selfdestruct' world tour. More info closer to date....but you can have a look at the link below.

24 December 2009

Tikvesh Winery hires Croatian beauty for Calendar

Sexy Croatian TV hostess Nikolina Pisek has posed naked for the annual calendar of Tikves, Macedonia's leading wine producer.
Pisek, 33, said the calendar was designed as a fairy tale that she had found very attractive. She added she had enjoyed the shooting but refused to reveal the amount of money she had received.
The Croatian media have reported she received around 50,000 Euros. It was not Pisek’s first cooperation with the well-known Macedonian wine producer. Almost six months ago, she made a TV commercial for their new wine Alexandria.

21 December 2009

MACEDONIAN CITIZENS ON FIRST VISA-FREE TRIP

A total of 100 citizens of Macedonia will be picked at lottery Thursday evening for cost-free trip to Paris on Saturday, when EU's decision to scrap visa requirements enters into effect. Macedonian state television will broadcast the lottery.
Some 10,000 citizens with biometrical passports have applied for the trip. All the selected lucky winners will get free air tickets to Paris. The government organized the trip to mark the EU's decision to scarp visa obligations for the citizens of Macedonia. Deputy Prime Minister in charge of EU Integration Vasko Naumovski and Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska, as well as 20 best students, will accompany the lucky winners.
The travelers will have a unique opportunity to land in a country, member of the White Schengen zone, without visa requirements. They will enjoy a sightseeing tour of French capital. The one-day travel also will include a reception at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris. The European Union lifted the visa obligations for the citizens of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. The holders of biometric passports will be entitled to visa-free travel to 25 members of the 27-nation bloc - except for Britain and Ireland - as well as in Norway, Switzerland and Iceland Finally, the time has come, VISA free regime.
For most of the readers from Europe and USA its normal to travel where you want, when you want. But, it can do no harm to imagine how hard it was for Macedonians to be cut in their freedom like this, especially when in the past ( before the nineties) they were free to go and then suddenly they got a blockade.

17 December 2009

USA DECORATES 31 MACEDONIAN SOLDIERS

The Unites States decorated 31 members of the Macedonian Army - ARM's special operation regiment for their participation in "Iraqi Freedom" mission on monday. Four of the members of the 11th ARM rotation in Iraqi Freedom mission received a meritorious service medals and 27 commendation medals of the US Army.
A total of 493 members of the ARM special operations regiment and joint operations command have taken part between June 2003 and December 2009 in Iraqi Freedom mission in 11 rotations. 124 have been awarded with medals and decorations.
- By participating in the Iraqi Freedom mission, the Republic of Macedonia has demonstrated that it is ready to join the coalition in the fight against today's biggest evil - global terrorism, said Minister of Defense Zoran Konjanovski in a speech delivered at the ceremony. In addition to Iraq, Macedonia takes part also in missions in Afghanistan. Lebanon, Bosnia & Herzegovina and provides logistic support to the KFOR mission in Kosovo.
Macedonia will demonstrate its commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration, he added, by sending addition troops in Afghanistan in early 2010. - With our contribution, Macedonia already functions as a NATO member. So we ask to be accordingly valued, not to be awarded, said Konjanovski. ARM Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Miroslav Stojanovski said in the past 18 years Macedonia had managed to establish a professional army that took part in NATO, EU, UN-led missions.
- The United States do not doubt that the Macedonian Army is strong, smart and ready for any mission. The country knows that the Republic of Macedonia is a close friend and an ally, said Thomas Navratil, US Deputy Ambassador. Presenting the medals, Admiral William Brown said foreign operations had showed to the world the capacities, preparedness and determination of Macedonia for Euro-Atlantic integration. - Macedonia is a key member in the Adriatic Group and it will play an important role in the enlargement process in the region.
Macedonia continues to be a regional leader in promoting Balkan peace and stability, said Brown, adding that Macedonia and US fostered permanent partnership.

14 December 2009

IVANOV WITH STRONG MESSAGE TO EU

The Macedonian president launched a scathing attack against the European Union condemning it for double standards. "We will not cave under any pressure to change our name or identity just to be a part of the European Union. We've lived this (hi)story many times before, not again. Whatever the outcome of the talks in Brussels, Macedonia will stay right here.
We have a European perspective that will be achieved together, with the support of all ethnic and religious communities, all parties and all citizens of Macedonia", Ivanov emphasized. In the presence of foreign ambassadors in the country, he said that Europe unfortunately still has leaders who allow to be carried away by someone's petty interests and hidden agenda. "Any violations of EU's principles today, tomorrow will bring new violations, new disorders, dozens of new blockades.
Who knows what will be asked of us tomorrow!? Macedonia gets a hesitant response, we receive requests and rules which apply only to us and change from day to day, we let obstructions and pressures from petty interests decide outcomes.
We see the absence of vision at the EU. We hear of integration announcements first for 2012, then 2014, 2015. How we can achieve those terms? With obstacles and obstructions", asked Ivanov.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrko1Dshocw

11 December 2009

VISA FREE REGIME NEGATIVE FOR HOTELIERS

The EU's decision to scrap the visa obligations for citizens of Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro had a negative impact on hoteliers in Macedonia given the cancellations of travel arrangements, hotel association president said. Donco Tanevski, the Chairman of Hotel Association of Macedonia, said no reservations were made for Macedonian resorts and travel arrangements were cancelled after introduction of visa-free travel to EU countries.
"Serbian holidaymakers were the most numerous travelers to Macedonia. There is an imminent risk that Serbian holidaymakers' presence in Macedonia drops by 30%-40% during the New Year's holidays," Tanevski said. He added that airlines' announcements of low-priced flights from Skopje to European destinations - two-way ticket for 29-99 euros - would make potential domestic tourists to book tickets at affordable rates and spend the New Year's holidays abroad.
Furthermore, the announced rise in electricity price and the upcoming smoking ban will additionally hit tourism workers. Tanevski slammed the programme of the Agency for Promotion of Tourism, saying that programme was inadequate and drawn up with minimum funds. Tanevski urged the government to cut the value-added tax (VAT) to hotelier, an incentive that has been put in motion in the neighboring countries. "The planned flights to Ukraine, announced by the government earlier this year, were not put in motion. And for the next year, there is no announcement of new flights except for the charter flight to Israel," Tanevski said.
He called on the government to make sure that road infrastructure is improved as soon as possible. He also complained that there are no long-term credit lines (spanning 15-25 years) with interest rates not higher than 4%-6%. This would help hoteliers and resorts improve their offers.
"We are facing a hardship unless immediate measures are taken. There has to be more aggressive marketing. Otherwise, Macedonia's tourism will face tough times." MD: Well, those tourists who want to come to Macedonia, still will come. You can't force people. If someone really wants to visit Ohrid, that person will do so, no matter what. Macedonia will have more profit of these tourists than any massive tourist groups from Serbia who come just because they cant go anywhere else. This will also make Ohrid a more exclusive destination, like it should be.

09 December 2009

ITALIANS TO BUILD SPORTS CENTER IN KATLANOVO

Italian civil engineering company is interested in investing EUR 14m in the construction of a luxurious sports-recreational centre and a spa-centre in Katlanovo's famous spa resort. In the area of 22,500 sqm, a six-story hotel of high category will be built, while sports terrains of professional dimensions intended for preparation and trainings of athletes will be built around it.
The Municipality of Petrovec informed that the location has been urbanised and the plan documentation is in the final stage. The investor is company Euroitalia, which has a company registered in Skopje. Head of the Municipality of Petrovec Borce Mitevski reviewed this investment last month in Italy.

23 November 2009

TV video "Macedonian Wine - Timeless" promoted

T-Rex production in cooperation with the Government promoted Friday a new video in the Macedonia Timeless series, whose aim is to promote Macedonian wine. The Euro 120.000 video, which will be aired on global TV channels, was directed by Ivo Trajkov, written by Zlatko Kalenikov and actor Nikola Ristanovski stars in it.
The video was shot at vineyards characteristic for Macedonia, in the wine cellars of Bovin and Skovin and at famous Macedonian sites. - This video is what our wine needs, because it presents the entire process of production - from vineyards to bottling to branding. The goal is to inform the world about the unique taste and centuries-long tradition, Minister of Agriculture, Forstry and Water Management Ljupco Dimovski stated after seeing the video.
Screenwriter Kalenikov said the video illustrated in the best possible manner that wine had been produced in Macedonia for centuries. - The idea was to illustrate the tradition of making and drinking wine in Macedonia through the three main ways of wine tasting - color, scent and taste. Color brings us back in ancient time, scent in 19th century and taste reflects modern times, said Kalenikov.
- I'm glad we've made a commercial which first and foremost has a story and concrete objective. Only the quality of our wine needs to be promoted.
This is the goal of Government's propaganda, director Trajkov stated. Due to favourable geographical location and weather conditions, Macedonia has myriad opportunities to produce quality wine, which thus far was not promoted enough or branded.

18 November 2009

Macedonia plants new 7,5 million Trees

Under motto 'Imagine Macedonia in Green', Macedonia organizes Friday fourth campaign 'Tree Day-Plant Your Future', when 7,5 million seedlings are to be planted in 32 municipalities throughout the country. The 'Tree Day-Plant Your Future' Association offers free bus transport for citizens from 0800 to 1400h. It appeals for citizens massive support of the campaign for reforestation of the country the country and raising the ecological awareness.
To this affect, the Government has declared Friday as a non-working day. On the first showing in the spring of 2008, more than 150,000 Macedonians planted 2 million trees in one day (symbolically, one for each citizen).
Six million more were planted in November, while this March the event saw a combined 5 million trees planted nationwide by a diverse network of volunteers.
Organizers say the next spring campaign will also include Albania, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Bosnia/Herzegovina, Serbia and Slovenia. Macedonia and the Tree Day will be the centre of developing ecological awareness and afforestation in neighbouring countries, they say.

13 November 2009

European Parliament recommends visa annulment as of December 19

The European Parliament adopted Thursday a resolution recommending the annulment of visas for Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro as of December 19, instead of the European Commission proposed date of January 1, 2010. In the debate that began late Wednesday MEPs supported the visa-free regime for the three countries, while Euro-Commissioner Jacques Barrot hailed the decision as "historic".
EP rapporteur for visa liberalization, Slovenian deputy Tanja Fajon voiced her satisfaction due to the visa abolishment of the three countries, "which citizens were more isolated and had more limited rights and freedoms than the period of former Yugoslavia".
The EP resolution is not binding, but has political weight in passing EU decisions. The EU Council of Home Affairs Ministers should adopt the final decision on the visa-free regime for Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro on November 30 or December 1.
The decision is not passed by consensus, but requires support from two-thirds of Union member-states. If adopted, the decision should be published in the EU Official Journal and enters into force on the 20th day from its publishing.
The EC recommended the annulment of the visa barrier for citizens of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro on July 15. Thus, countries' nationals would be exempted from the long-standing procedures of getting visas, whereas free EU travel would significantly contribute to the Euro-integration of Balkan countries.

09 November 2009

Coming up: 5 Star Hotel in Ohrid

A luxury five-star hotel is going to be built at Ohrid Lake, Macedonia. Ohrid-based Trudbenik and Macedonian businessman living in America Spiro Trajcevski signed the agreement on joint investment in the hotel construction.
The hotel is USD 33 million worth and will be built on an attractive location with the surface area of 15,000 square meters. The construction should begin in March and should be completed in two years.

Croatian PM to visit Macedonia

Croatia's Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor will visit Macedonia on Tuesday, after receiving an invitation by her counterpart Macedonia's Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski. "Croatia's PM is scheduled to meet government officials and will participate at the Macedonian-Croatian economic forum", Croatian government said. Kosor will also meet with Macedonia's President Gjorge Ivanov and President of Parliament Trajko Veljanovski.

04 November 2009

Macedonia gets First Snow for 2009

Snow blanketed the mountainous areas in Macedonia on Wednesday, causing traffic disruptions across the country. AMSM reported traffic disruptions on roads and highways in much of the country, especially in the mountainous areas. Rain showers mixed with snowfall slowed down the traffic as well. Heavy snowfall was reported in Straza, Bukovo, Gjavato, Pletvar and Preseka.
Motorists have been advised to take extra precautions while driving on the road from the town of Kriva Palanka to border crossing of Deve Bair, and from Struga to border crossing of Qafasan given the wet roads and fast-melting snow. Hydro-Meteorological Institute says three centimeters of snow blanketed Mavrovo.

02 November 2009

Tourist offer for Germans

Representatives of six travel agencies from Germany stayed in Macedonia in the past four days so that they could see its beauties, cultural-historic wealth and the entire tourist offer of the country. The first contact with these travel agencies was realised in the biggest fair for group travels, which was held in Köln in August, and in which 4 travel agencies from Macedonia participated. The visit of German travel agencies is a part of the project of opening the Western European market for group travels for travel agencies in the Balkans. Website www.balkan-schaetze.com was formed in connection to the project and it presents the wealth of the Balkans.

30 October 2009

26 Companies want Macedonian PayToll Roads

26 companies and consortiums from Europe, Great Britain and India expressed interest in participation in the tender for the right of toll collection in five tollbooths. This was informed by the Macedonian Ministry of Transport on Monday, October 26.
The tollbooths in question are Romanovce in the section Kumanovo-Miladinovci, Petrovci in the section Skople-Petrovec, Sopot and Otovica in the section Petrovec-Veles and Gradsko in the section Veles-Gradsko. The expected benefits from this project are the increase in efficiency of the system of collection, reduction of the waiting time and introduction of modern solutions for collection.

28 October 2009

Skywings airlines unveiled a EUR 500.000 investment in the construction of a hotel near Skopje's Alexander the Great Airport. The Chairman of the Skywings Board of Directors, Ajan Dzaferoski, announced the ambitious plan on Monday, during the inaugural flight Skopje-Brussels. Dzaferoski stressed that the construction of the hotel is set to begin in March next year. Constructions works are scheduled for completion by June 2010. The project envisages a 20-room hotel, which is to accommodate the Skywings crews. The airline's headquarters will move into the hotel. On Monday, Skywings in cooperation with Air Lift Service launched new flight Skopje-Brussels. On Sunday, the airline is expected to launch another flight Skopje-Rome. A new flight Skopje-Bergamo (near Milan) will be launched on November 10. The Skopje-registered airline Skywings is also operating flights to Istanbul, Zurich and Dusseldorf from Skopje. Skywings initially operates with one Boeing 737-300 aircraft. The airline with operate with two Boeing 737-300 as of December

Skywings airlines unveiled a EUR 500.000 investment in the construction of a hotel near Skopje's Alexander the Great Airport. The Chairman of the Skywings Board of Directors, Ajan Dzaferoski, announced the ambitious plan on Monday, during the inaugural flight Skopje-Brussels.
Dzaferoski stressed that the construction of the hotel is set to begin in March next year. Constructions works are scheduled for completion by June 2010. The project envisages a 20-room hotel, which is to accommodate the Skywings crews.
The airline's headquarters will move into the hotel. On Monday, Skywings in cooperation with Air Lift Service launched new flight Skopje-Brussels. On Sunday, the airline is expected to launch another flight Skopje-Rome. A new flight Skopje-Bergamo (near Milan) will be launched on November 10.
The Skopje-registered airline Skywings is also operating flights to Istanbul, Zurich and Dusseldorf from Skopje. Skywings initially operates with one Boeing 737-300 aircraft. The airline with operate with two Boeing 737-300 as of December.

23 October 2009

SKOPJE JAZZ FESTIVAL KICKS OFF

The 28th edition of the Skopje Jazz Festival opens Thursday with the live promotion of the project “Hammam” of the Macedonian-Italian trio Skopje Connection in the Army’s Club. This year, the Festival’s events will take place at four different venues – the Army’s Club, Universal Hall, Macedonian Opera and Ballet House and Hard Rock Club.
The musicians comprising Skopje Connection tri are Dzijan Emin, Georgi Sareski and Luca Aquino. The promotion of their project “Hammam” will be followed by another promotion – the latest edition of the Skopje Jazz Festival label entitled “Jazz from Macedonia”, intended above all for the music markets abroad. The programme of the following night – 23 October, is dubbed “Women in Jazz”. German.
Piano player Aki Takase will play pieces of the jazz piano legend Fats Waller, before Marilyn Mazur Group takes the stage at the Universal Hall. On 24th October, also in Universal Hall, Brad Mehldau Trio and James Carter Quintet will give their performances.
The night before the last is dedicated to marking of the 40th birthday of the cult jazz label ECM with two special concerts of the truly original Norwegian duo Arve Henriksen & Jan Bang, and of the jazz innovator Jon Hassels wit his project Maarifa Street.
The Festival will wrap up with the real treat for all jazz lovers – the super group Power of Three, whose members are jazz legends in the literal sense of the word - Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White. In addition to the regular programme, Skopje Jazz Festival offers also some exciting afterhours concerts of contemporary jazz artists: the rising US singing star Jose James, the quartet of the Italian saxophone player Chico Pinheiro and his “Banda” and the Italian saxophone player Michele Ponga.
Macedonian designer Neda Firfova is the author of this year’s poster for the Jazz Festival.

21 October 2009

President Ivanov visiting Turkey

Citizens of Macedonia will never forget the consistent and constructive support, as well as Turkey's solidarity since the first days of Macedonia's independence. The use of Macedonia's constitutional name, support to the sovereignty and territorial integrity, strong support to the country's NATO integration can be expected only from sincere friends, said President Gjorge Ivanov after Friday's meeting with Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul, MIA reports from Ankara.
President Ivanov stressed that his first official visit to Turkey is exceptionally significant, representing an expression of strong friendship between the two nations, but also contribution to the further successful development of mutual relations.
"I believe that relations and cooperation with the Republic of Turkey, which are characterized by the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding, trust and support, are issues of highest state interest for Macedonia", stated Ivanov.
He once again voiced satisfaction from the fair evaluation of Macedonia's progress in the recently published EC Progress Report. "The commitment and achieved results should be acknowledged through an appropriate decision by the EU Council.
The beginning of EU accession talks would represent a clear and positive signal for our country, but also for the region. I am convinced that the Republic of Macedonia has the political, administrative and institutional capacity to start EU accession talks", emphasized President Ivanov. "Turkey will resume to defend Macedonia's interests and positions in NATO, for the purpose of Balkan and European stability. This is possible only when the entire region is united under the umbrella of the European Union and NATO", said Turkish President Abdullah Gul.
He stressed the significance of bilateral relations, voicing the need for further enhancement of economic and commercial relations through encouragement of Turkish businessmen to invest in Macedonia, as well as strengthening of ties in the culture and education sectors.
Earlier, President Ivanov laid flowers at the mausoleum of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. President Ivanov is scheduled to meet later today with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, followed by a lecture at TOBB-ETU University, where he will be proclaimed an honorary PhD.

Salvador Dali's Exhibition In Skopje

An exhibition of pieces of art created by famous Spanish painter Salvador Dali, one of the most brilliant artists known to mankind, opened Monday at the Museum of Contemporary Arts in Skopje. The exposition will include about 100 watercolor drawings and lithographs interpreting Dante Alighieri’s Devine Comedy, 15 graphics in various techniques, 15 ceramics and six small bronze sculptures.
Czech art dealer Zdenek Kocik whose gallery is based in Prague has provided his private collection to the museum to hold this event.
The display will also contain a series of 20 photographs created by Czech photographer Vaclav Chochola in painter’s studio in Paris.
The Museum of Contemporary Arts Director Eliza Sulevska and Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska made address to guests at the opening ceremony on Monday evening. Among those attending the ceremony was Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Deputy Prime Minister Vasko Naumovski, foreign ambassadors and a number of domestic artists.
The Salvador Dali’s exhibition at Skopje Museum of Contemporary Arts will be open until December 19. The museum will work each day, except for Monday, from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m.

16 October 2009

EU Ambassadors urge name row settlement, though it is not part of membership criteria

The name dispute settlemnt is not one of the criteria for Macedonia's accession to the European Union, but it will however create more favorable climate for the resumption of the country's integration process, said Swedish, EU Ambassadors Lars Freden and Erwan Fouere respectively.
- This is a golden opportunity for boosting the efforts towards settling the name row. It seems that the picture is clearer now. Now (the country) should only focus on name talks, not those related to the benchmarks, Freden said Thursday, presenting the European Commission (EC) report on Macedonia's progress towards the EU membership to relevant parliamentary committees. Fouere quoted yesterday's statement of the Union's Enlargement Commissioner, Olli Rehn, who said that the EC report should be a strong incentive and encouragement for country leaders to seriously engage in the negotiating process under the UN auspices and achieve results.
Freden welcomed the positive EC report on Macedonia and the recommendation for launching of the country's entry talks on behalf of the Sweden's EU Presidency. He reminded that the final decision in this respect was to be made by the Union's Council with consensus. He also expressed hope for the decision on abolishing the EU visa regime for the citizens of Macedonia to be confirmed on December 1, considering the ongoing activities of Union's institutions in this respect. Meanwhile Greece had sent a protest letter to the EU for their decision to begin accession talks with Macedonia.

15 October 2009

MANU: Encyclopedia will Not be Withdrawn

The Macedonian Encyclopedia will not be withdrawn, but only corrected in the points that caused a stir last month, decided late Tuesday the Assembly of the Macedonian Academy of Science and Arts (MANU).
Academician Georgi Stardelov said after the session that the discussion was constructive, aimed at finding the path towards a solution, "which will be autonomous". "The public is engulfed in lots of politics regarding assessments for our encyclopedia. We are trying to work autonomously without any political pressure", stated Stardelov.
The session, which is to resume next week, will also debate on the final conclusions of the MANU Presidency regarding the possible replacement of the editorial board. The first national encyclopedia was formally promoted last month, resulting in reactions mainly among the country's Albanian political parties, which disputed certain points and asked for their correction, as well as the edition's withdrawal.

14 October 2009

Estonian president visits Macedonia

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves pays October 13-14 a visit to the Republic of Macedonia. President Ilves is to meet later today with counterpart Gjorge Ivanov, followed by plenary talks of the two delegations.

13 October 2009

Macedonia marks 68th anniversary of People’s Uprising and National Liberation War

The Republic of Macedonia Sunday marks the 68th anniversary since the start of the Day of People's Uprising against Fascism and National Liberation War. The Macedonian people responded to the fascist occupation by organizing an insurrection. At that time the first sabotage units were created. Kumanovo and Prilep detachments were founded, their actions started on October 11 being the beginning of the Macedonian people uprising.
During 1942 the partisan movement were also in ascent. Nine detachments were founded acting on a large territory. During the winter and the spring in 1944, the Macedonian Army has taken important military actions (the February march, the Spring offensive), causing great damage to the Bulgarian occupiers.
During the period of 1944 the network of governmental organs in Macedonia has been spread, over 800 in number. The preparations for convocation of the ASNOM have been taken by the Headquarters General and the Initiative Board.
Thus, by the end of the war, the Macedonian National Liberation Army numbered over 56,000 soldiers, and this part of Macedonia alone provided about 25,000 victims.
The liberation of Macedonia by its own forces was an outstanding military and political accomplishment of the Macedonian people and at the same time it was a significant contribution by a small people to the anti-fascist struggle in the Balkans and Europe.
In the past 18 years overcoming the conflict in 2001 and the Framework Agreement that emerged from it, Macedonia, which is full-fledged member of the United Nations, now walks on the road to Euro-Atlantic integration. On holiday's occasion, October 11 Award for special and eminent achievements in the areas of science, culture, art and journalism was presented Sunday at the Macedonian Parliament.
This year's award recipient is Momir Polenakovic, internist and nephrologist. PM Nikola Gruevski will address the formal academy Sunday evening. Deputy PMs Vladimir Pesevski and Abdilakim Ademi and Education Minister Nikola Todorov laid fresh flowers at partisan graves and tomb of General Apostolski.

08 October 2009

Surge of Donations for St Jovan Bigorski Monastery

Aid for the reconstruction of incinerated "St. Jovan Bigorski" monastery is arriving from everywhere, however the funds collected so far are not sufficient because large-scale overhaul is necessary, father Dositej of the St. Jovan Bigorski monastery tells media.
Damaged parts of the monastery, as well as waste are at the moment being cleared by local firms, but father Dositej deems more assistance with better equipment is needed.
As donations are being collected, relevant institutions coordinate on future actions after the site is cleared. A coordination body on the monastery's reconstruction met yesterday and reached a conclusion experts from the Seismology Institution, Faculty of Construction and National Conservation Center to examine the stability of existing walls and to decide on what can be preserved.
According to initial findings, the fire which broke out as a result of failure in power and gas installation caused a damage worth at EUR 5,5 million and destroyed items of priceless historic, cultural value. St. Jovan Bigorski monastery is dedicated to St. Jovan Krstitel (Saint John the Baptist). It is located on the road between Gostivar and Debar, at a the beautiful valley of the river Radika among the villages of Rostushe, Velebrdo, Bitushe and Trebishta. The monastery is named Bigorski, because it is made of tufa (tufa in Macedonian is called Bigor).

Donations for Bigorski monastery


07 October 2009

Mancevski to make final clip of Macedonia Timeless

The shooting of the sixth and final clip for Macedonia's tourism promotion, written and directed by Milco Mancevski, has started in Skopje. The clip, which focuses on archaeology in Macedonia, will be shot at several locations in Skopje and throughout the country.
The crew involves domestic and foreign professionals. This is the third clip directed by Mancevski within Government-led cycle Macedonia-Timeless, aimed at promoting country tourism.
The campaign is supported by website www.macedonia-timeless.com, which presents all information related to Macedonia.


06 October 2009

200 most successful companies in Macedonia for 2008

Telecommunications are the most profitable sector in Macedonia, while the energy sector employs the biggest workforce, a study of the 200 biggest and most successful companies in Macedonia showed. The study was conducted by the Euro-business Center for the 5th year in a row.
The top 200 list of most successful companies is headed by Macedonian Telecom, followed by Kameni Most komunikacii, T-Mobile Macedonia, the mine SASA and Usje.
Biggest employers in Macedonia are OKTA, Makpetrol and EVN-Macedonia. Due to the crisis, one half of the ten biggest Macedonian companies closed 2008 in the red. Also, Macedonian Telecom and Usje saw their profit before taxation slide in 2008 compared to 2007 by nearly 27 percent.

05 October 2009

Icons safe after monastery fire

Monks rescued the valuable icons at the St. Jovan Bigorski monastery's gallery after big fire that broke out at the monastery shortly before daybreak Wednesday. The blaze engulfed the old mansions (night-quarters). Bishop Timotey of Debar-Kicevo Diocese said in a statement that flames had caused a major loss and extensive damage to the monastery's brotherhood of monks.
The fire scorched two dining rooms, one guest mansion, the kitchen, the library and the monks' homes, the bishop said in the statement. The church said it opened bank account at Stopanska Banka Bitola, number 500-000000-3835-65, to raise donations for monks who lost their homes. The cause of the fire is not clear yet.

01 October 2009

Monastery Jovan Bigorski in flames, damages 5.5m EUR

Saint John the Forerunner Bigorski monastery.
Initial reports say that a failure of power, gas installation is the cause for the fire that broke out early Wednesday in 'St. Jovan Bigorski' Monastery. Blazes started with the kitchen spreading to the dining room and the library. There are no casualties or injured people. The investigation is underway, the Interior Ministry say, excluding human error as a cause of the fire. The National Conservation Center estimates the damage to be at EUR 5,5 million plus items of priceless historic, cultural value. There are announcements for setting up a special body that will coordinate activities for the monastery's restoration. The Government will discuss on this matter at its next session and earmark funds to that effect, said Valentina Bozinovska, chairperson of the Commission for Relations with the Religious Communities and Groups. Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church (MPC) HH Stefan, President Gjorge Ivanov and governmental officials visited Wednesday the monastery "St.Jovan Bigorski", which suffered serious damage as the old part of the construction has burnt to the ground in a fire that broke out early today. They expressed deep regret over the wasted historic and cultural treasury, saying that the monastery complex would be soon restored.
Fortunately none of the monks and guests present in the monastery in the time of the accident were not hurt, HH Stefan said. It also refers to the iconostasis and monastery church, which were rescued from blazes thanking to monks and villagers who along with firefighters arrived to the accident venue on time, the MPC Head said. He expects for the monastery's restoration to commence soon, saying than now efforts should be invested in preserving of the building's authenticity, not in debates on the accident's cause. Nevertheless, this accident is a serious warning to all about how much we care for everything that predecessors made and left us with a lot of faith and love, HH Stefan said.
The monastery is under state's aegis and it will its best for restoring "St. Jovan Bigorski". - Unfortunately, the blaze burnt down valuable books of the monastery's library, but thanking to monks all icons are preserved - a treasury that will remain for future generations. The damage is estimated at EUR 5,5 million. The loss of archives and documents is however immeasurable, President Ivanov said.
The monastery is of great significance for the country and the Government, as ever, will grant support for its reconstruction, Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska Milevska said. Labor, Social Policy Minister Xhelal Bajrami called on all citizens of Macedonia, regardless of their religious affiliation, to join the monastery's reconstruction.
St. Jovan Bigorski monastery is dedicated to St. Jovan Krstitel (Saint John the Baptist). It is located on the road between Gostivar and Debar, at a the beautiful valley of the river Radika among the villages of Rostushe, Velebrdo, Bitushe and Trebishta. The monastery is named Bigorski, because it is made of tufa (tufa in Macedonian is called Bigor). The monastery complex is comprised of church, ossuary located next to the church, seymen defense tower, mansions complex, as well as a newly built guest mansion. It is mentioned in the monastery files that the Monarch Jovan started building it in the year of 1020 and when the monastery was attacked by the Turks in the XVIth century, only a small church remained. The rebuilding of the Monastery started in year of 1743 by monk Ilarion who is the first igumen at the 'Bigorski Monastery'.
The monastery is also famous for the iconostasis - the most beautiful one in Macedonia. It is done in tiny woodcarving by the magic hands of Petre Filipov - Garkata from the village of Gari. Petre Filipov - Garkata, his brother Marko, Makrarij Frckovski from the village of Galicnik and Avram Dicov with his sons Vasil and Filip from the village Osoj, in 1829 to 1835 managed to create an extraordinary work of art.
The iconostasis is divided into six horizontal belts. The first one's base is comprised of rectangular fields on which there are ornaments of flora and fauna. The second belt, where throne (big and non-movable) icons are placed, finishes with a figure of an eagle with spread wings. The third belt is divided into three smaller horizontal compartments where symmetrically distributed angels, grapes and vineyard sprouts are presented.
There are two rows of icons- festive (icons that are being taken out for festivities) and icons with presentation of angels above them. In the central part there is the large cross with the Crucifixion of Christ. From both sides of the cross there are figures of dragon from whose mouth the icons of St. Jovan and Holy Mother of God are lifted. The presentation of the dancer Salome is particularly interesting, she is dressed in a traditional Miyak costume.
The monastery is also famous for the icon of 'St. Jovan Bigorski', which is believed to have a mysterious power. The icon was found by the monarch Jovan in the year of 1020, on the same place where the monastery was built later on, and it was floating over the river Radika. In the XVIth century, under the Turkish ruler Selim II, Turks burned the monastery and the icon mysteriously disappeared and returned later, again un-harmed, to the same place.
The Icon of St. Jovan Bigorski had not been protected for 35 years and finally in the year of 1885 it was framed in silver (it is written in the monastery record files). Jovan Krstitel (John the Baptist) is represented in the icon as a three- handed Saint. It is believed that the third hand is blessed, and also helps families who can't have children.
There is a story about this legend, saying that a Beg (Bey) from Albania who couldn't have children, came to the monastery in the XVIth century to worship the Icon. Next Year he had a son, and he donated all his property to "Sv. Jovan" (St. John). He promised that he would send olive oil to the monastery (he was producing olive oil). The old mansions with the spacious wooden balconies and the dining room furnished as in the time of the construction, late XVIIth and early XlXth century, add to the monastery's ambient. Today four monks and three novices are forming the brotherhood of this monastery. Their abbot, Archmandrite Parthenius, has learnt the basics of the monastic life at the Holy Mount of Athos.

30 September 2009

Basilica and martyr tomb discovered at Zrze archaeological site

A basilica of the fifth and a martyr tomb of IVth century are the new discoveries of excavation activities in the vicinity of Holy Transfiguration Monastery near Zrze. The discoveries confirm that Christianity was present in this area from the IVth century onward, archaeologist Branko Risteski told reporters.



- These discoveries are very significant for us and they justify the financial means we have been investing in researching. This is grand historic treasure for our country, said Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who visited the site along with Culture Minister Elizeabeta Kanceska Mileska and Director of the Office for Protection of Cultural Heritage Pasko Kuzman.

Town of Dojran has its best Tourist season

Dojran beach.
During the summer tourist season, 135,000 overnight stays were realised in Dojran, which is 12.5 percent more than last year. With incomes that range from EUR 2m for overnight stays to EUR 3m, which includes service activities and entertainment, tourism has remained a dominant economic branch of this Municipality.
Furthermore, according to representatives of the Municipality, the biggest part of the income was collected by hotel capacities in Stari and Novi Dojran and 180 registered lessors of private weekend houses. Representatives added that 10 percent of the mentioned tourist income arrived to the municipal budget, which is more than expected.

24 September 2009

President Ivanov at 64th UN General Assembly

Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov will take part from today through September 26 at the 64th UN General Assembly in New York. Ivanov will address the general debate (Sept. 25) of the UN General Assembly and will participate at other forums and will hold series of bilateral meetings, media reports.
Ivanov will meet with NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Dutch PM Jan Peter Balkenende. He is also scheduled to meet with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Upon an invitation of former US President Bill Clinton, Ivanov will participate at the Fifth Annual Meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI). Ivanov in New York will hold consultations with UN mediator Matthew Nimetz.
Greek FM Dora Bakoyannis is to meet with Nimetz, however her arrival at the General Assembly is uncertain due to health reasons. So far there are no announcements for direct meeting between Macedonian and Greek delegation.
The UN general debate will be held on 23-26 and 28-30 September 2009 at the Headquarters, gathering heads of state and government and foreign ministers of 192 UN member states. Hot topics will include climate change, nuclear disarmament, development, global financial and economic governance as well as international peace and security.
Established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations, the General Assembly occupies a central position as the chief deliberative, policy making and representative organ of the United Nations.

Macedonia added to Google Map Maker

Google Maps has made some updates that give them a more worldly view. First up, some European countries are gaining access to Map Maker. They are: Albania, Belarus, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia. Also getting the update is Malaysia, which, of course is in South Asia. Meanwhile, residents in Taiwan, Switzerland and Portugal now have access to Street View in Google Maps.

23 September 2009

MANU's Encyclopedia causes stir

Macedonian Encyclopedia, presented Thursday at MANU's premises caused a stirr among the Albanian community and the US/UK Embassies. Daily paper Koha writes that the encyclopedia contains numerous "inaccuracies".
Two are mentioned as the most contradictory, the alleged training by U.S. and British specialists of the KLA members in the 2001 conflict, which caused a reaction of the US Embassies and UK Embassies in Skopje, both claiming the information is 'false' and 'ridiculous'.
Lets review this. This alleged training according to several British papers (Sunday Times, The Guardian, etc) did take place and at the time was a widely acknowledged fact in army circles and Balkan media. Does anyone remember Aracinovo? Flashpoint: Over 200 Albanian terrorists were surrounded by the Macedonian Army. The Albanians laid down their weapons and put their underwear on sticks to give a sign of their surrendering (captured by TV crews).
NATO prevented the Macedonian army from entering Aracinovo, went into the village utilizing 12 busses to transport the terrorists (who had previously threathen to bomb the Airport) back to safety in Kosovo (2). The following day, Deutche Welle claimed there were 19 NATO 'advisors' among the Albanians transported to Kosovo.
According to DW, NATO had panicked that the Macedonian army would capture their commanders/advisors. Later the Macedonian police entered Aracinovo and found numerous sophisticated satellite phones and equipment left behind. Though today Macedonia enjoys terrific relations with the US and the UK, facts shouldn't ashame anyone.
The second "scandal" is the text which tells the story of the Albanians in Macedonia, where they are named as "shiptari" that settled in Macedonia in the 16th century. The Albanian term for an 'Albanian' is "Shqiptar". I might have missed the "scandal" here.
The Macedonian Academy of Arts and Sciences stands behind their Encyclopedia saying it is a collective effort of numerous historians, scientists that took years to complete in which all data had been synthesized with facts and arguments that have been checked and re-checked by numerous relevant individuals and organizations.

Macedonian royal tomb found

A monumental round-formed Macedonian royal tomb belonging to the 4th century B.C. has been discovered at the Pavla Cuka site between the villages of Bonce and Podmol, Prilep area.
The tomb was erected with a ring of monolith stone blocks weighing up to 2 tonnes which have remained intact despite their 2.5-millennia age. According to archaeologists, the tomb is the only of the kind unearthed in the Balkans and it belonged to a great ruler. The finding has resulted from three-year excavations by Prof. Viktor Lilcic of the Institute of Art History and Archaeology of the Faculty of Philosophy, who presumes that the tomb belonged to the Pelagonija royal dynasty. A finding or an inscription will reveal which emperor the tomb belonged to.
Pasko Kuzman, Director of the Directorate for Protection of Cultural Heritage, who visited the compound yesterday afternoon, said an adequate infrastructure needs to be built if one wants to reach to pre-history.
He announced restoration, conservation and protection of the site. “This is of exceptional value for the Macedonian archaeology because such monumental structures are rare in the Balkans. It will attract much attention in the scientific archaeological community,” Kuzman said.
Archaeological excavations will continue next year as well with the support of the Ministry of Culture. Field examination is led by Antonio Jakimovski of the Institute of Archaeology and archaeologist Dusko Temelkoski of the Institute and Museum in Prilep.

22 September 2009

MANU promotes Macedonian Encyclopedia

Macedonian Academy of Science and Art (MANU) launched Wednesday the first national "Macedonian Encyclopedia". Following years of preparation by the Lexicographic Center during which time 260 associates were engaged under the leadership of the chief editor, academician Blaze Ristovski, the Macedonian Encyclopedia was published this year with funds from the Government. 
Considering the criterion of objectivity, the editorial staff scientifically verified a myriad of facts that are contained in two volumes (A-Lj and M-Sh) in a total of 1.671 pages. The edition contains over 9.000 entries for persons, events, etc. with more than 5.000 illustrations. 
Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, welcoming the publishing of the Macedonian Encyclopedia, said it sublimated the knowledge of the modern Macedonian scholars about the complex appearance of the country, people and state. - The project may not fully depict the overall being and growth of Macedonia. However, it scans authentically Macedonia's point of view about its cultural and political past and present and strives to become an objective, integral information about us and our country, stated Gruevski. 
Academician Ristovski in his speech referred to its conception and background. - We've attempted to sum up the millenium development of Macedonia and the eras of the history of this nation. It includes millions of data, facts and arguments about the legitimacy of Macedonia in history and in modern times, said Ristovski. MANU president Georgi Stardelov stated the edition was the first Macedonian encyclopedia freed from foreign historical interpretations. 
- It is not only an encyclopedia of the Macedonian people, but also of the Macedonian state by presenting persons and events depicting the ethnic communities in Macedonia, especially the Albanian and Turkish ones, he said. MANU intends to publish the Macedonian Encyclopedia in an extended edition with several volumes and to transplate in into English.

12 September 2009

Inside the Vrelo cave.
The Ministry of Economy granted Denar 80,000 (about EUR 1,300) to the 'Vrelo' Diving Club in support of its activities for exploring the underwater Vrelo cave of the Canyon of Matka. Next year the Ministry will earmark more funds for promoting the cave as a tourist destination and organizing a new expedition, Economy Minister Fatmir Besimi said Thursday at a meeting with the international divers that have been exploring the depth of Vrelo cave for the last two weeks.
Italian diver Luigi Casati, who is part of the international diving expedition, reached the depth of 192 meters, thus enlisting Vrelo in the deepest caves in Europe.
Vrelo, which was nominated for the new Seven World Wonders, has been researched for several times. Its horizontal length is 450 meters and 98 meters in vertical. According to speleologists' assessments, Vrelo's depth is 330m, thus being the deepest underwater cave in the world, surpassing the Bushman Hole in South Africa, which holds the Guinness Record with 282 meters.
For decades the Macedonian citizens and residents had been aware of the Vrelo Cave, but only recently ventured to investigate it.

10 September 2009

POLISH NEWSPAPER ARTICLE: MACEDONIA IS STRONG BECAUSE OF KING ALEXANDER

"Macedonia wielka jak jej krol Aleksander" says a nice interesting article which was published in Polish newspaper Gazeta Polska, about the Macedonians and our National team in Poznan.


Macedonia wielka jak jej król Aleksander


Radosław Nawrot
 
08.09.2009 , aktualizacja: 08.09.2009 22:20
A A A Drukuj

Wiele sympatii zyskali w Poznaniu kibice i koszykarze Macedonii. Toteż ich wczorajsze zwycięstwo nad Izraelem 82:79 zostało przyjęte z aplauzem przez niezbyt licznych polskich kibiców w Arenie

Kasa biletowa przed halą Arena mieści się w małej przyczepie kempingowej. Na niej kartka "bilety na Eurobasket. 60 zł, 80 zł, 120 zł", przy czym 80 zł już skreślono. - Do kas spływają bilety, które nie sprzedały się w internecie. Dlatego jeszcze je mamy, ale akurat nie na dziś. Na dziś zostało już tylko 200 sztuk - mówi pani kasjerka.

Trochę to dziwne, bo na trybunach podczas pierwszego meczu wczorajszego dnia, między Macedonią a Izraelem kibice wypełnili halę może w połowie...

You can read the Google translated version at this link: http://74.125.43.132/translate_c?hl=mk&sl=pl&tl=en&u=http://miasta.gazeta.pl/poznan/1,36006,7016163,Macedonia_wielka_jak_jej_krol_Aleksander.html&prev=hp&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhii0rWm29NjGulq5zvl6fSpjzyQnA

08 September 2009

SKOPJE BIENNIAL 2009 OPENED

The 14th edition of the Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean titled “The Seven Gates” opened on Thursday evening in Skopje From the 3rd to the 12th September, Skopje will change into the most important window on young creativity. It will be the scene for the 14th edition of the Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean, an event which promotes new creative expressions since 1985, and aims to encourage dialogue and intercultural exchange among young protagonists of the Mediterranean culture.
In the next ten days, the fascinating and multiethnic capital of the Republic of Macedonia will be enlivened by hundreds of 18 to 30 year-old artists coming from 46 different countries, and it will be the scenery for expositions, performances, concerts, lectures, gastronomic events and much more.
Museums, city galleries, theatres, cultural centres, restaurants are the sites which will receive the artists and the huge variety of their works. The Biennial, promoted and organized by the International Association BJCEM (established in 2001 in Sarajevo) intends to be a multi-discipline event, including seven areas: Visual Arts (Plastic Arts, Photography, Installations, Art Performances, Video Art, Comics, Cyber Art); Music (Rock, Pop, Jazz, Folk/Ethno, Contemporary, Digital, DJs); Show (Theatre, Dance, Urban Performances); Literature (Writing, Poetry, Sound Poetry); Applied Arts (Architecture, Visual/Industrial/Web Design, Fashion, Digital Creation); Gastronomy; Images on the Move (Cinema, Video, Animated Cinema). The number seven reminds also to the theme of this year, “'The Seven Gates'”, which refers explicitly to an ancient legend linked to the origins of Skopje: according to this legend the city had been build on a huge spherical monolith, head of a giant, whose eyes, nose, ears and mouth correspond with the doors of the city.
The doors are the vehicle through which you can know and go deep into the Macedonian capital, and they become also the symbol of the exchange and of the transmission between the different cultures and artistic disciplines. The official opening ceremony will begin on “Macedonia” square at 19,00h, followed by a concert (21,00h) of several bands, such as Jacinto Canek from Italy with their modern rock and the Spanish Maldebares. Guest of the evening is the Conspiracy Band from USA.

STRING OF EARTHQUAKES IN DEBAR REGION

An earthquake measuring 7-8 degrees according to European Macroseismic Scale was felt late Sunday in western and central Macedonia. Epicentre of the quake, which happened at 23:49h, was 110 km southwest of Skopje.
Seismological observatory within Faculty of Science and Mathematics in Skopje reported that epicentre was on the territory of the neighbouring Albania, 15 km southwest of Debar

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY - MACEDONIA CELEBRATES 18TH

The Republic of Macedonia celebrates Tuesday its 18th anniversary since the successful referendum, at which Macedonian citizens voted for independent and sovereign state.
A convincing majority exceeding 95 percent of citizens who came out at the referendum on September 8, 1991 responded positively at the referendum question - Are you in favor of independent Macedonia with the right of its accession in a future alliance of sovereign Yugoslav states?
The results from the referendum were preceded by the adopted Declaration for Independence at the first multi party Macedonian Parliament on January 25, 1991. The will of the people for independent state was confirmed with the declaration for acceptance of the results from the referendum on September 18, 1991 at the Macedonian Parliament. The next important step in strengthening of the state was the adoption of the Constitution on November 17, 1991, which was supplemented after the 2001 conflict and signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. The international-legal status of the state was definitely confirmed by an acclamation of the United Nations General Assembly on April 8, 1993, when Macedonia was admitted as the 181st full-fledged UN member.
However, due to Greece's opposition and pressure regarding the constitutional name, the UN accession was carried out under interim reference Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). Talks for overcoming of the name dispute are still ongoing under UN auspices. Macedonia today has already established diplomatic relations with 160 states worldwide and is recognised under its constitutional name by 125 countries, three of which members of the UN Security Council - China, Russian Federation and the USA.
The 18 years of Macedonia's independence did not pass without problems and difficulties. Three-digit inflation at the beginning of the 1990s, the Greek embargo, Kosovo refugee crisis and 2001 conflict were real challenges and threats to a young Macedonian state which hindered her way in accomplishing the strategic goals - strengthening of democracy and integration in Euro-Atlantic structures.
In 2005 Macedonia gained EU candidate status. Process of approximation of Macedonian legislation with EU legislation, power decentralisation and defence reforms marked recent years.
Despite meeting all criteria for full-fledged membership in NATO at the Bucharest Summit in April 2008, the Republic of Macedonia received only conditional membership invitation after Greece - due to the name dispute - used the right of veto and blocked the accession. Macedonia celebrates its 18th anniversary in light of the new report from Brussels on the country's progress on the road to European integration, as well as date for start of EU membership talks.
Greece threatens again that due to the name dispute it will also block country's EU accession. Independence Day is celebrated with numerous ceremonies and events. Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski organised Monday evening a reception in the Parliament and the Macedonian Army marked the holiday by firing 10-gun salute in Skopje's Ilinden barracks.
On Tuesday, an academy will be held in the Macedonian Opera and Ballet, addressed by President Gjorge Ivanov.

01 September 2009

Macedonian pianist Trpceski kicks off European tour on Monday

Macedonian top pianist Simon Trpceski will kick off a European tour on Monday with his performance within the PROMS 2009 Festival at the Cadogan Hall in London. On September 10, Trpceski will open the season of the the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.3. Furthermore, Trpcevski will have his debut in Norway, Trondheim, than again London for opening of the International Piano Series 2009/10 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.
Trpcevski's tour in November includes a series of concerts in Germany, Luxembourg, and is to be crowned on December 3 with the grand final in London Royal Festival Hall.

22 August 2009

German author pens book on Mother Theresa's youth

"Mother Teresa - Her Youth in Skopje" is the title of a new book by German linguist and journalist Wolf Oschlies, who has taken part in almost every seminar on Macedonian language, held annually in Ohrid. The book covers the youth of Gonxhe Bojaxhiu from her birth in Skopje in 1910 till 1928. Author Oschiles in his book writes that Gonxhe Bojaxhiu was born with disability and was constantly ill throughout her childhood.
Despite that her wealthy family had provided her a happy childhood and youth. Oschiles intertwines the changes within the young woman and the old city.
He uses Mother Teresa as a "core" to paint a vivid picture of the historical Skopje. The book is written in a reporting style, much differently from many other books on Mother Teresa.
The writer explains events that had influenced her education, work and life. The book also includes 35 historical photos and cards.
Made up of 193 pages, the books is published by Wieser Verlag and costs Euro 12,95.

Struga Poetry Evenings

48th Struga Poetry Evenings (SPE) - the most prestigious international poetry manifestation in Macedonia - will be opened Thursday evening in Struga at a ceremony, which will include a traditional recital of the poem T'ga za jug (Longing for The South), concert by pianist Simon Trpceski and the international poetry recital named "Poetry Meridians". This year's SPE laureate is Slovene poet Tomaz Salamun, who has already arrived in Struga and is scheduled on Thursday to plant a tree in the Park of Poetry and to hold a press conference.
The formal opening will be followed by the annual Nights without Punctuation multimedia artistic event featuring experimental forms of poetic presentations, where Senegal author Ousmane Sarr-Sarrouss will be presented. He is the winner of this year SPE and UNESCO award Bridges of Struga for the best first poetry book by young author.
The Struga poetry festival, which will run till Aug. 23, will be attended by 75 foreign poets from 50 countries worldwide. SPE's activities were kicked off yesterday when flowers were laid in front of the Miladinovci brothers' memorial house. This year's symposium, dedicated to "Poetry and Music", is scheduled for August 21. SEP will in addition mark the 100 anniversary of the birth of Nikola Jonko Vapcarov (1909-2009). The festival's programme also includes an "Evening of Norwegian Poetry", promotion of 10 books of Macedonian poets, translated in English language.
The closing ceremony "Mostovi" (Bridges), held at the Bridge of Poetry on the river Drim in Struga including poetry readings and the awarding ceremony, will be held on August 23. Another event in the so called Caravan of Poetry, which consists of poetry performances around the country. Usually, after the end of the Festival, poetry readings are being organized in several cities across Macedonia.
The last event takes place in the country's capital, Skopje, where 2009 laureate Salamun will be declared as an honorary member of the Macedonian Poetry Association. Tomaz Salamun is a Slovenian poet. He was born in 1941 in Zagreb, Croatia, and raised in Koper, Slovenia. He has published 30 collections of poetry in his native Slovenian language. Salamun spent two years at the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop in the 1970s and has lived for periods of time in the United States since then. For a time, he served as Cultural Attaché to the Slovenian Embassy in New York. He has had ten collections of poetry published in English, including The Selected Poems of Tomaz Salamun (Ecco Press, 1998); The Shepherd, the Hunter (Pedernal, 1992); The Four Questions of Melancholy (White Pine, 1997); Feast (Harcourt, 2000), "Poker" (Ugly Duckling), "Row!" (Arc Publications), "The Book for My Brother" (Harcourt), and "Woods and Chalices" (Harcourt). He lives in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and is married to the painter Metka Krasovec.
SEP was launched in 1962 with a series of readings by a number of Macedonian poets in honor of the two brothers, Konstantin and Dimitar Miladinov, great intellectuals, teachers, and writers, born in Struga in the beginning of 19th century. Konstantin Miladinov has been considered the founder of modern Macedonian poetry and each year the festival officially opens with his memorable poem "Longing for the South" (T'ga za jug) written during his student days in Moscow. For the last 47 years the festival has welcomed about 4,000 poets, translators, essayists and literary critics from 95 countries.

Memorial museum for Ataturk


A corner stone was laid Sunday in the village of Kodzadzik - Centar Zupa municipality - marking the start of a construction of Memorial House of Kemal Ataturk - the founder of modern Turkey. The greatness of Ataturk's deeds, a man who was the founder and first President of the Republic of Turkey, is being recognized in Turkey and beyond its borders, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said. Many memories connect Ataturk with Macedonia, including the fact that the house of his parents is located exactly here in the village of Kodzadzik.
This memorial is of special significance for the Turkish state, Turkish community in our country and for Macedonia, Gruevski said at the ceremony. Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and Turkish Deputy Culture Minister Nihat Gul also addressed the event, referring to the good cultural cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries.
The memorial will be build on the foundations of the old residence of Ataturk's father - Ali Riza. The project - worth about EUR 650,000 - will be realized by the local authorities of Centar Zupa municipality and the Government of Macedonia.

14 August 2009

The biggest Macedonian flag ever covered up both platforms


During Macedonia-Spain football match, the North and South platforms at Philip II national stadium were covered up with the biggest Macedonian flag. The enormous flags consisted of 24 thousand parts and 12 thousands fans were needed to hold it and cover up the platforms. The organizers of this event were T-mobile, who encouraged our footballer players and showed their support for Macedonian football.

Skopje a hit destination

Macedonia’s capital Skopje remains one of the top destinations of visitors to the country. According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, 12,000 tourists visited Skopje in June, recording 21,400 night stays. Other tourist destinations, such as Ohridsko, Prespansko, and Dojransko lakes, received 23,000 tourists and recorded 64,500 night stays.
According to these data, the number of tourists in June was up 2.8 percent compared with the same month last year. It was also noticed that the number of Macedonian tourists has been decreasing, while the number of foreign tourists is on the rise.

Number of foreign tourists up, Macedonian tourists dip

The official number of tourist in Macedonia stood at 51.276 in June 2009, and thus reported 2.8 percent up in comparison to the respective period last year; this data was published by the Macedonian Statistical Office, which added that the number of Macedonian tourists shed 12.1 percent, while the number of foreign tourists rose by 19.7 percent.
Total number of bed nights stood at 128,611 and thus posted a 4.2 percent up on last year. It is worth noting that the number of Macedonian tourists dropped by 4.6 percent, while the number of foreign tourists rose by 15.1 percent. From January to June 2009 the number of tourists rose by 2.3 percent in comparison to the respective period last year.

12 August 2009

Vrelo Cave depth passes 190m depth

International speleological expedition will research August 2-15 cave Vrelo in Matka canyon to determine its depth. The goal is to reach depths larger than 183 meters, thus declaring Vrelo the deepest underwater cave in Europe. Vrelo, which was nominated for the new Seven World Wonders, has been researched for several times. Its horizontal length is 450 meters and 98 meters in vertical, where from a new gap opens which bottom has not been reached.
Vrelo divers will also attempt to topple the European diving record of 182 meters. The expedition includes two Macedonian divers, as well as five from Belgium and six from Italy.

Italian diver Luigi Casati, who is part of the international diving expedition that has been exploring underwater Vrelo cave of the Canyon of Matka, reached yesterday the depth of 190 meters, the 'Vrelo' Diving Club said Monday in a press release.
The international expedition will explore Vrelo cave by August 15 and will try to prove the theory that it is the deepest one in Europe and maybe in the world. Vrelo, which was nominated for the new Seven World Wonders, has been researched for several times.
According to speleologists' assessments, Vrelo's depth is 330m, thus being the deepest underwater cave in the world, surpassing the Bushman Hole in South Africa, which holds the Guinness Record with 282 meters.