Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to express my great pleasure that, as President of the Republic of Macedonia, I am the patron of the children's song festival “Zlatno Slavejce”, which 40 years ago emerged from the noble mission of the Children’s care and upbringing alliance of the city of Skopje. The pleasure is even greater because today we are here to pay tribute to the festival and to all those who became part of the songs and performances over the decades.

Dear all,

Binding in itself artistic, educational and humanitarian activity, “Zlatno Slavejce” is much more than a music festival.

“Zlatno Slavejce” is perhaps the most important nursery of musical talents in Macedonia, a music school through which flew almost all the stars of the Macedonian music scene. It is not only singing, dancing and performance that they have learnt there, but also building friendships, respecting others, cooperation. They have learnt to help each other, to form their character and to recognize the true values, and a lot more.

We know that the love towards mother tongue is born in the early childhood. However, the tunefulness of one language is most easily expressed through the medley of the words, verses and song with the music. Through music, the harmony of words reaches children and binds them with the beauty of the language, with the positive messages, with the real values. “Zlatno Slavejce” has been doing this for 40 years, producing more than seven hundred pieces of music in Macedonian language, from Macedonian authors, for the children from Macedonia and beyond. As true ambassadors of Macedonian culture, tradition and song, our golden nightingales for already 40 years have been bringing joy and warm feelings to the children around the world.

For the noble mission of the golden nightingales best speak the numerous humanitarian and charity concerts, every one of them devoted to aiding those who need it most, so that they can share the joy with everyone. This wakes the sense in many of us to be responsible and humane in the society. Only those societies in which this sense is fostered have a bright future.

Therefore, as President of the Republic of Macedonia, I made a decision to award this festival with the “Charter of the Republic of Macedonia”. This is recognition of the four-decade work and care for children, for all generations that have grown and grow with the festival, but also a strong impetus for the future generations. This is recognition for all the songs filled with children's desires and yearnings, with moral messages and lessons both for peers and for adults. Many of these songs are timeless and have overcome the generation gap, and today contribute to better understand young people and adults, children and parents, pupils and teachers.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

All those who, as children, participated, sang and danced at the “Zlatno Slavejce” festival are proud of the festival. Macedonia is proud to have “Zlatno Slavejce” too. Therefore, the investment we have made should be an incentive for current and upcoming generations to continue enriching the festival with their voices and dances, with their participation and presence, because they will have benefits from the festival as well. Being part of the music elite, they develop musical talents, nurture the Macedonian language, and help their peers who need to be assisted.

To that end, I wish the golden flock of nightingales for many more decades to sing under the Macedonian sun, new songs and new performances for new generations.

Thank you.