Respected attendies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear guests,

"Theatre is the greatest of all artistic forms in which man to man can fastest share what it means to be human", said the playwright Thornton Wilder. It seems, though, at the height of their technological and material power, man is in huge need of humanity.

We live in a world where more and more people are present on the Internet network, and less in the home, family, community. The interaction with the world that requires all the senses is replaced by touching the screen of our smart phones. Although constantly connected and online, more people feel lonely and alienated.

Plato says that art is a shadow of shadows. But today it seems that art is less shade and more truth and has the dimension to humanize us, to bring us back to the world of the beautiful, ethical, to make us laugh and make us cheer, to breathe life in us. For these reasons, when our lives increasingly resemble virtual reality and hologram, we find refuge in the theater. The theater is a space where we can engage our senses. A place where people right before us make the characters, events surrounding they play alive. They make us alive. Like no other artistic medium, the theater offers warmth, closeness and humanity.

A few days ago our Venko Andonovski said that theater is a highlight of realistic art. This requires theaters with great artistic, professional and human potential.

Esteemed friends,

Today I have the honor to address you on the occasion of awarding the Order of Merit for Macedonia to one of our most renowned theater, and, in general, cultural institutions, the Drama Theatre - Skopje.

In the year when we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Macedonia, we celebrate 70 years of artistic anniversary of the founding of the Drama Theatre-Skopje. In the past seven decades, the Drama Theatre-Skopje grew generations and generations who learned of ethical and aesthetic, who acknowledged themselves and the world, who learned and respected life. This process must not stop.

This is an excellent opportunity to thank the members of all generations of members of the Drama Theatre-Skopje, who in the past seven decades, on the scene and behind the scenes, created theatrical magic that ennobled the visitors with their performances. Actors, playwrights, directors, technical staff, administrative workers... are part of the team that diligently and faithfully serves the public.

The team called Drama Theatre-Skopje has indeed a reason to be proud of its rich history and artistic achievements. This is best witnessed exactly by the audience, not only on the home stage in Skopje but throughout Macedonia and wider in the region and in Europe.

Hence, I believe that the Order awarded today will be another incentive for new endeavors, new aesthetics, and conquering new audiences.

I wish you many years of theatrical magic.

Thank you.