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.