Bitola and Thessaloniki based theatre with a joint play

Small Drama Theatre-Bitola and Solun-based theatre "Andreas Voutsinas" have launched the preparations for play "Rhesus" by Euripides, along with a joint exhibition of antique masks from comedies and dramas.

Project "Interacting through Acting: From drama to contemporary arts", funded by EU's IPA cross-border cooperation programme, started in Solun on January 26.

Seminars tackling educational and social themes will be held in Bitola and Solun within the project, along with other accompanying activities.

Solun (Thessaloniki) mayor to build a house in Krusevo

Yiannis Boutaris, the mayor of Solun is quietly moving back to his roots, in southern Macedonia.

Krusevo city council announced the Solun mayor has received green light to build a house in Krusevo, the city where his parents came from.

The house will be in a traditional Vlach style and follow the renowned Krusevo architecture, authentic to the house of his parents, reports Kanal 5.

The 30 room home will not be built at the same location in the city, the location is presently the home of the Krusevo center for retirees.

Part of the house will be turned into a museum, while the rest will be turned into a home for Yiannis Boutaris. 

Boutaris will visit Krusevo in August, where he is expected to provide all the details for his new home, reports Kanal 5.

Is Boutaris removing the mask he's worn for so long? Good to see Macedonians are coming home.

Bitola, Thessaloniki mayors sign declaration of cooperation

Thessaloniki, 24 May 2012 (MIA) - The mayors of Bitola and Thessaloniki - Vladimir Talevski and Yiannis Boutaris - signed a declaration for cooperation and joint promotion before EU funds within the INTERREG and IPA programmes with a project "Cultural Industries", MIA reported from Thessaloniki.

Taleski and Boutaris at their joint meeting held yesterday in Thessaloniki discussed cooperation in the field of culture, tourism, new technologies and education.

"Our embraces are wide open. In order to cooperate in various spheres, a special protocol with clear cooperation strategy will be prepared soon.  Despite the fact that the two countries have some political differences, the two friendly nations share a lot of ties that need to be developed," Boutaris said after the meeting.

In addition to Thessaloniki, Bitola has established cooperation with several Greek cities, including Florina, Edessa and Kastoria. Yesterday's talks were the first official meeting between mayors of Bitola and Thessaloniki.

Taleski said the cooperation between the two cities was in the interest of Macedonian and Greek citizens. "We are convinced that the absurd issue will be settled and life on both sides of the border will be much better," mayor Talevski stated.

The "Cultural Industries" project is an introduction into a wider and bigger cooperation, Taleski and Boutaris concluded.

Makpetrol Sets up Shop in Solun/Thessaloniki

Macedonian fuel retailer Makpetrol [MSE: MPT] said it set up a fully-owned subsidiary in Greece, Petrolmak S.A., with a capital of 350,000 euro ($472,600).
Makpetrol’s Greek unit is headquartered in Solun as its main business is trade with oil and oil derivates, the company said in a statement to the Macedonian Stock Exchange yesterday.