Happy Independence day

Over 60.000 citizens to mark Independence Day at spectacular concert

The 21-year anniversary of country's independence will be marked Saturday evening at Philip II of Macedonian National Arena in Skopje with a spectacular concert dubbed 'Macedonian Heart Beats in 7/8', where local and Balkan pop stars will sing covers of traditional Macedonian songs.

Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska at a press conference ahead of the event expressed profound gratitude to the Macedonian musicians who perform Macedonian folk songs and to the Balkan artists who this evening will sing one of the most beautiful songs of country's folklore richness in Macedonian.

One of the biggest music spectacles since Macedonia's independence declaration will be held later in the day, according to organisers.

Croatian diva Tereza Kesovija, on behalf of all 25 performers, said that the concert "will be always remembered for uniting the nation and music from the region and as a concert that brings together the musical history of the Balkans and beyond in honor of Macedonia".

Igor Durlovski's performance of the national anthem will open the concert. Spectators will have an opportunity to enjoy the performances of the greatest Balkan singers: Josipa Lisac, Zeljko Bebek, Hari Varesanovic, Aleksandra Radovic, Boris Novkovic, Nina Badric, Tereza Kesovija, Dado Topic, Aki Rahimovski, Goran Karan, Sergej Cetkovic, Jelena Tomasevic, Antonija Sola, Kaliopi Bukle, Esma Redzepova, Karolina Goceva, Miki Jovanovski Dzafer, Risto Samardziev, Vlatko Lozanovski, Vlado Janevski and Oliver Mandic.

At the press conference, the stars congratulated Macedonia on its Independence Day saying it is an honor for them to be part of this grand project.

Happy Independence day from Google

Using the Ohrid motives and St Kaneo church, Google sends their congratulations for Macedonia's independence day.

Macedonian flag raised in Downtown Toronto marking Independence Day

On the eve of the biggest Macedonian national holiday, Independence Day (Sept. 8),  Macedonia's flag was raised in Downtown Toronto in Queen's Park outside the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

The flag was raised by world-renowned artist Georgi Danevski in the presence of hundreds of Macedonians and foreign guests, friends of Macedonia and the Macedonian people in Canada. The flag-raising ceremony was organised by the Macedonian consulate general in Toronto.

Guests were welcomed by consul general Dragan Gjurcevski and the president of the oldest organisation of Macedonians in Canada - United Macedonians based in Toronto.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford as well as a number of associations and individuals congratulated the Independence Day of Macedonia.

Independence Day observed through number of events

On occasion of the 20. anniversary of Macedonia's independence, the Parliament will hold Wednesday a formal session.
A solemn academy will be held in the Macedonian Opera and Ballet in the evening, addressed by President Gjorge Ivanov.Moreover, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski hosts a meeting for all former PMs - Branko Crvenkovski, Ljubco Georgievski, Hari Kostov and Vlado Buckovski.
The meeting is of symbolic character, sending message of the nation's unity, the Government has said.

Song titled "Macedonia" to mark 20th independence anniversary

A song entitled "Macedonia", written by composer Kire Kostov and author Miodrag Vrcakovski, is the ceremonial song which will mark the 20th anniversary of Macedonia's independence.

The song was selected out of 13 compositions, which have been submitted at an open competition published on July 27 in "Vecer" daily newspaper. The selected composition will be performed at a general celebration on September 8 organised by the Government of Macedonia, the Ministry of Culture says.

The jury made up of Stojan Stojkov (composer), Zivoin Glisic (composer), Gordana Josifova-Nedelkovska (performing artist), Sasa Nikolovski-Gjumar (conductor), Vanco Dimitrov (music editor), Mihail Rendzov (poet), Gjorgi Barbarovski (poet and journalist), Saso Tatarcevski (conductor) and Jeta Starova (performing artist) have reached an unanimous decision upon listening to all of the submitted songs.

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.