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.

Skopje hosts Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Beaujolais Nouveau Day, organised by the French Cultural Center in Skopje, was marked yesterday in the capital.
The event, which aims to present this red wine fermented for only a few weeks and to establish a nice and long French tradition in Macedonia, was opened by French ambassador to Macedonia Jean-Claude Schlumberger.
Beaujolais Nouveau is released for sale on the third Thursday of November and the day is celebrated in many French-speaking and non French-speaking countries.
The Skopje event was held after a hiatus of several years. Managers Dimitar Pavlevski and Aleksandar Vuckovski at the ceremony were introduced into the Beaujolais Nouveau order for their efforts in affirming French-Macedonian relations.

Skopje observes its Liberation Day

Many cultural, humanitarian and sports events are to mark Sunday the Liberation Day - 13 November - of Macedonia's capital - Skopje.

On the occasion, the '13 November' award will be presented at the cinema 'Frosina' to this year laureates: PhD Nikita Sekutovski, Prof. Ljubinka Bosotova - education; Bojku Fejzi and Dimitar Masevski - art; Boris Pop Gjorcev - journalisam; Bosko Zaborski - sports; Aleksandar Janevski - humanitarian activities; Mico Popovski - business; the Center for Environmental Reaserch and Information 'Eco-Svest'; as well as students - Ivan Antovski, Tasko Smilevski and Aleksandar Stepanovski.

Early today, Skopje Mayor Koce Trajanovski met with a group of veterans, who fought for Skopje liberation in 1944.

Skopje in November 2011

State, diplomatic delegations are also set to lay fresh flowers on the monuments of Skopje Liberators, Partisan Cemetery and General 'Mihajlo Apostolski' monument.

The program also includes a Red Cross blood donation campaign and several sports events.

Skopje was liberated on 13 November 1944 by Yugoslav Partisan units of the Macedonian National Liberation Army. Soon after, Skopje became the capital of the newly established People's Republic of Macedonia within the Yugoslavia.

In 1963 the city suffered considerable damage from a major earthquake, which killed over 1,000 people. International financial aid poured into Skopje in order to help rebuild the city, which since then has been known as the 'City of Solidarity'.

Macedonia observes Air Force Day

A special line-up and parade of the members of ARM’s Wing will mark the Day of ARM Air Force.

The development of the Macedonian Air Force and Air Defence Forces started from scratch in 1992, when air force command and air defense command was established within the Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM),

In 1994, the then command of air force and air defense force acquired the first transport helicopters Mi-17.

In 2001, the air force acquired Mi-24V Hind-E combat helicopters, UH-1H Huey helicopters and warplanes Sukhoi Su-25.

The Macedonian Air Force and Air Defense Forces underwent several reorganizations and changes. In October 2003, the Strategic Defense Review was written, outlining the future of the Macedonian Armed Forces with the emphasis on more flexibility, better integration and future NATO partnership.

By the end of 2005, the Macedonian Air Force would cease to exist all together. Instead, the air arm of the Macedonian Armed Forces would become “Wing” and report to the newly created Joint Operations Command. The Wing structure would also be different from the previous Macedonian Air Force squadron structure, with squadrons renamed or disbanded and new squadrons created.

The ceremony will be held at the Petrovec-based Straso Pinndjur Military Barracks.

Macedonia plants 7.5 million trees

Under motto "Growing Together", a total of 7,5 million trees are planted at 100 locations on Tuesday, in the framework of fifth campaign "Tree Day - Plant Your Future", which also has a regional character. President Gjorge Ivanov, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, Cabinet Ministers, MPs, Macedonian Army members, pupils, students took part in the campaign.
Vice Premier and Finance Minister Zoran Stavreski, who planted seedlings in area Tri Krusi near Skopje, said the tree planting campaign has become a tradition by which Macedonia will be recognized in the region and Europe. "Nature and healthy environment contribute to the people's standard, enabling better life for all citizens", added Stavreski. Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski, who also planted a tree in area Tri Krusi, said that as of this year, although symbolically, the campaign becomes a regional one, with seedlings also planted in Bulgaria and Albania, whereas mayors of bordering areas came to Macedonia to plant trees.
"The Tree Day campaign was launched following the 2007 wildfires in Macedonia. The afforesting represents serious potential for the future, the health of generations to come, along with creating a culture of environment enhancement among youth", stressed PM Gruevski.
The Government allocated Denar 50 million (EUR 815,000) for today's campaign. President Gjorge Ivanov planted seedlings in Veles, saying such a campaign united people regardless of their religious, ethnic and social affiliation. Approximately 20 million seedlings were planted in the previous four campaigns in the course of 2008 and 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.

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.