The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and his family, at his home, welcomed 15 children from the Orphanage “11 October”, at the age of 3 to 11 years, and, along with them, decorated the Christmas tree in the presidential residence “Villa Macedonia”.

Children voices echoed in the residence guest room, singing enthusiastically Christmas songs, while the First Lady, Ms. Maja, did everything for the children to feel at home.

“The act of decorating the Christmas tree is a joy, both for all children and for us, the adults. It is an act that unites the whole family on the eve of the New Year and Christmas holidays. Our intention was to open our home to those children whose destiny prevented them to feel the parental love so that at least a moment they can be part of such a pleasant and warm parental atmosphere”, Ms. Ivanova said.

The first decoration on the tree was hung by the youngest among the children, Maksut, and then followed his peer Gabi, with the assistance of the President's son, Ivan, who took them in his hands and helped them reach the highest branches of the Christmas tree. The Ivanov family expressed hope that with this gesture they managed to meet at least one wish of the orphans, to make them feel the warm family atmosphere.

"I consider their arrival in our home today a small contribution to bringing parental love to these children, so that they can feel that they are not thrown out of the society, to feel that someone cares for them, and in the future to become good citizens of this country", the First Lady of the Republic of Macedonia, Ms. Ivanova said.

Besides the decoration of the Christmas tree, President Ivanov donated Christmas presents to his visitors. The children had the opportunity to play with the family pet, Alek. They enjoyed in the cheerful atmosphere that the President's son Ivan complemented with his guitar, playing songs of Tose Proeski.