The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in the Villa Biljana in Ohrid the star opera singer from Latvia, Ms. Elina Garanca, a world renown mezzo-soprano and the Austrian conductor, Maestro Ion Marin, opening acts for tomorrow night's opening ceremony of the 56th Ohrid Summer Festival.

President Ivanov welcomed the artists and the organizers of the festival, expressing his expectation that their performance will leave a particular mark at this year's Ohrid Summer Festival.

The festival organizers informed President Ivanov about the festival programme and events, underlining that Macedonia and Ohrid will host around 800 artists, performers and authors from 18 countries.

The Macedonian President emphasized the fact that Ohrid Summer festival is one of the most successful annual events in the Republic of Macedonia, and a forum for presentation of the most important global cultural endeavors to the Macedonian public, at the same time promoting Macedonian art, culture and tradition around the world.

Ohrid Summer Festival is a traditional annual event held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Macedonia. At the opening ceremony of the 56th edition of the festival, Ms. Elina Garanca and Mr. Ion Marin will perform accompanied by the Macedonian Opera and ballet Orchestra.