The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today awarded the Skopje Jazz Festival with the “Charter of the Republic of Macedonia” for its exceptional results in the three decade existence and for presenting Macedonian and world music.

Presenting the recognition, President Ivanov stressed that jazz music, with its improvisation, creativity and instrumental uniqueness is one of the international universal languages binding people together that always goes along with the strive for freedom.

“Jazz is open-ended music for open-minded people. It has rhythm and meaning, but above all, it offers many interesting and entertaining surprises”, President Ivanov said, reminding of the unwritten rule that “there are no wrong notes” in jazz music, thus we are becoming aware of almost limitless possibilities of sound.

“Over the years, the Skopje Jazz Festival has become a second home for numerous world famous jazz legends, such as Ray Charles, Tito Puente, Ornette Coleman, Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter, BB King, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, John McLaughlin, Cecil Taylor, and many others and an open stage for the emerging Macedonian jazz performers”, President Ivanov said, adding that this event constantly exceeds expectations.

The Skopje Jazz Festival Director, Oliver Belopeta, expressing his gratitude for the recognition, pointed out that this recognition is an encouragement for them to continue with the same pace in the forth decade.

“It is the first time that the Skopje Jazz Festival is being awarded with such recognition, very emotional for us, since it comes at the right moment, from the right place. It is a great motivation for us to keep up the good work in the forth decade of the Skopje Jazz Festival, both presenting foreign musicians and promoting local jazz performers”, Belopeta said.

Skopje Jazz Festival was launched in 1982 in the then Youth Centre “May 25th”, and now Youth Culture Centre. Every year since 1982, in autumn, Skopje hosts the most renowned global jazz musicians.

Todor Proeski Memorial House in Gumenje, Krusevo, designed by Dejan Sekulovski, Dejan Spasenovski and Ilija Bozinovski, was rewarded as the most successful architectural work for 2011 in the Republic of Macedonia.

The award of the Association of Architects of the Republic of Macedonia, which is being awarded for 17 times now, tonight at the ceremony in the Macedonian Opera and Ballet was handed over by the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov who is, traditionally, the patron of this event.

”Architecture is the mirror of the level of development, of cultural and civilization achievements in every country, in every nation. Macedonian architecture is certainly a reflection of centuries-old traditions, values, aspirations, ideas of Macedonian people. Hence, each generation of architects has an obligation to preserve, but also to enhance and enrich the image of the Macedonian architecture. First of all, responsibility lies in future generations, because they will be consumers and judges of what we have left as architectural heritage”, President Ivanov said and wished the members of this guild many construction ventures that will contribute to the enrichment of the positive picture of the Macedonian culture and the Macedonian state.

The President of the jury, Mimoza Tomic Nestorovska, explaining the decision, noted that Todor Proeski Memorial House confirms the openness of contemporary understanding of the term monument, overcoming the known ideological conditioning in relation to the program and meaning.

”The building is a modern conceptual spatial composition, much closer to the spirituality of sculptural space rather than to the functional aspects of the architectural structure. The artistic component in the approach is recognized in the visual and internal poetics of architectural form - symbolic, yet unobtrusive as mediator in the individual communication between the visitor and the memorial function of the building”, the President of the jury, Tomic Nestorovska stressed.

Winners are unanimous as to the significance of this award which is considered most important in the field of architecture, as an incentive for future achievements.

”Each project has its own specificity, but this one has even greater. It was difficult, but it was a privilege and honor to work on this project”, said one of the architects of the Memorial House, Ilija Bozinovski.

Architects Sekulovski, Spasenovski and Bozinovski, members of the studio Sinikeit Group, received fees by the Macedonian Authors’ Agency.

The Union of Associations of Technical Culture of the Republic of Macedonia – Narodna Tehnika, marked its 65th anniversary, under the auspices of President Gjorge Ivanov.

The President in his address stressed the important mission of Narodna Tehnika in the past six and a half decades for technical education of generations of elementary and high school students. Its clubs and 13 regional offices have produced a large number of young innovators whose inventions are presented and awarded at the major international events, including the prestigious “Eureka” in Brussels.

“Narodna Tehnika” is currently the best organized form of technical education and activity of young generations in schools, rich in content and diversity of forms and working methodology. You most directly contribute to the increase of interest among young people in technical creativity, easier acceptance of scientific and technical-technological achievements and solutions, promotion of inventive activity”, President Ivanov said at the anniversary celebration held at the Cinematheque of Macedonia.

The President of Narodna Tehnika, Hristina Spasevska, stressed that they are proud of their commitment in spreading technical education and encouraging innovation among young people in Macedonia. She informed that so far over 5,000 patented inventions have been presented, many of which have received awards at world fairs and exhibitions.

"Hardly any other organization can boast with such a long continuity and infrastructure, which operates through its own program in upgrading the educational system, with special emphasis on detecting and dealing with young talents ... In Macedonia there is not a single renowned name in the area of science, technology, and business whose origins are not connected with the work of Narodna Tehnika and the primary and secondary school competitions", the President of Narodna Tehnika said.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov attended the celebration of the Jewish Holiday of Light – Hanukkah, organized by the Jewish community in Macedonia.

The President was given the honor to light the first Hanukkah candle in the yard of the community and afterwards attended the Hanukkah service at the synagogue Bet Yaakov, followed by the performance of three spiritual songs of the “Mois Hason” choir.

As part of the celebration, the children, members of the Jewish Community Children’s Club, prepared a special Hanukkah choir programme, according to the traditional Jewish customs.

The celebration of Hanukkah in Skopje was also attended by the US Ambassador Paul Wohlers and other guests.

The Hanukkah holiday is celebrated as a commemoration of the liberation struggle of the Jewish people on the territory of ancient Israel, in defence of Jewish self-awareness and religious uniqueness. Hanukkah is primarily a family holiday; the candles in the family are lit each night during the eight days, special blessings are read and psalms are sung.

Macedonia and Serbia’s prospects are in the EU, regardless of the existing obstacles, we will not be discouraged in our way, stated at today’s joint press conference in Skopje the Presidents of Macedonia and Serbia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov and Dr. Boris Tadic, answering a question about the additional requirement - the name issue for Macedonia and Kosovo for Serbia.

The European integration is uniting the whole region and we are not discouraged that we are given additional requirements and that this is the third year that Macedonia receives positive progress report, but a date to open accession negotiations is not set yet. We will continue with the reforms in order to attain European criteria, values and principles in our country. Our goal, as a country, is to create Europe internally. Then, the negotiations would be much easier and it would also be easier for us to prove the Union that we are ready for accession. Even though there are delays and some people think that these three years are lost, we have been implementing useful reforms for our society, President Ivanov stated.

President Tadic agreed with Ivanov, stressing that besides their friendly bilateral relations, the two countries are also sharing similar troubles. According to him, some of the Serbian politicians have lost hope because Serbia has not become a candidate country in the first attempt, unlike the Macedonian politicians, who are not discouraged by the attitude of the EU even though the country has not been given a date to start accession negotiations for three years now.

The essence of the European integration lies in the internal reforms. Serbia, as well as Macedonia and the region have a future in the EU. It is the safest zone for our citizens. Challenges and complex requirements are ahead that need to be fulfilled, stated Tadic, adding regarding Kosovo, that Serbia has legitimate interests and it neither can nor wants to give them up and that solving the Kosovo issue cannot hinder Serbia’s European future.

With reference to the church dispute between the Macedonian Orthodox Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church, both President Ivanov and President Tadic stated during the joint press conference that they share the same position - church issues should be settled by churches, and the courts should deal with legal issues.

”This issue must not strain the relations between both countries. Canon law is not part of state constituting law. It is of vital interest for Serbia and for our relations with Macedonia this issue to be solved, Tadic said.

At the meeting, both Heads of State discussed the economic, energy and infrastructure cooperation, which will be focal point of the Macedonian-Serbian Business Forum this afternoon. The Serbian President praised Macedonia's success in tackling macroeconomic issues that are a challenge not only for Serbia, but for the whole region. Tadic reiterated Serbia's strong support for the Macedonian culture and identity and the importance of the cultural and scientific collaboration between the two countries.

Demonstrating the friendly relations between the two countries, the Serbian President Tadic, pointed out the results of the recent poll in Serbia, according to which, Serbs consider Macedonians as closest to them and Macedonia as the closest country to Serbia.

The ruling Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has received this afternoon in his residency the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, who upon his invitation has participated in the fourth Alliance of the Civilizations Forum taking place in Doha.
 
President Ivanov and the Qatari Emir have came to the conclusion that pursuant the recent official visit of the Emir to the Republic of Macedonia, there is an increased dynamics in the relations between the two countries aimed at realization of projects in the area of economy. As underlined at the meeting, several visits of high Macedonian officials to Doha have already been organized, and concrete prospects for cooperation have been discussed with representatives of Qatari Diar and Qatar Investment Authority. President Ivanov and Sheikh Al Tani expressed hope that actual results will come soon. 

The interlocutors have agreed for the political dialogue to continue, as well as the cooperation in initiatives as are the Alliance and the Dialogue Among Civilizations. They have highlighted the need to intensify the cooperation in the areas of education and culture.

President Ivanov extended greetings to the host, the Qatari Emir, for the initiative to summon together people from a range of countries, with different religious believes, that speak different languages, and who stand ready to the commitment to secure better future for the citizens, the countries and the humankind in general.

The Chief of State addressed the Forum today at a panel discussion themed ‘Intercultural Dialogue to Boost Development’, highlighting that the Alliance and the Dialogue of Civilizations are the very ideas we have been missing, and that Macedonia, being actively and devotedly involved in such initiatives, stands ready to share its valuable experiences in these areas.