Address by the President of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Gjorge Ivanov at the opening of the Manaki Brothers Film Festival

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my special honor and pleasure to greet you as patron of the festival dedicated to the seventh, unifying art. The film links peoples and cultures just as successful as it unifies in itself almost all other arts.

For already three decades, the International Manaki Brothers Film Festival has been the bridge of culture that most directly connects the Macedonian audience with the extremely important Macedonian, European and world film productions. Promoting the various film aesthetics and the importance of the film photography, it is a distinctive promotion of Macedonia in the world, of our cinematography and, even further, of our culture.

Dear all,

This year, again, we are celebrating the film festival at the right place, in Bitola.

Today we are here thanks to the citizens of Bitola. Thanks to their dedication, overall support and love for the festival. Indeed, the roots of this manifestation are the best proof of this.

This festival grew from the seeds sown by the first Macedonian and Balkan cameramen, brothers Janaki and Milton Manaki. With their vision, more than a century ago, Manaki brothers inscribed Bitola and Macedonia on the world cinema map. Through the lens of the famous "Camera 300" they promoted and affirmed our history, culture and everyday life. People say “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Then, we can assume what is the cultural-historical value of the thousands of meters of film tape left to us as an inheritance by the famous Vlach brothers. Therefore, we are proud of them, as we are proud of this significant festival.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

With a belief that the expectations of the audience for high quality repertoire will be fulfilled in the years and decades to come, I declare the 31st Manaki Brothers Film Festival as open.

Thank you.