Culture is our greatest wealth and moving force: interview with the Minister of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia Mrs. Elizabeta Kancevska-Milevska.

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By organizing and participating in various cultural events, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia is actively promoting Macedonian culture around the globe. The organization of 'Days of Macedonian Culture' in the United States of America and in the Czech Republic and participation in Venice Biennale in June were particularly successful. Madam Minister, which projects is the Ministry of Culture working on at the moment aimed at greater presentation of the Republic of Macedonia on the international cultural stage, with particular reference to EU integration, and participation in the 'Culture (2007-2013)' Programme of the European Union?

The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Macedonia devotes a great deal of attention to the promotion of culture in the country and abroad. The essence of the cultural tradition of the Republic of Macedonia is in its openness towards other cultures and therefore international cooperation is directed towards presentation and promotion of the esteemed values of our heritage and creativity. The starting point for our country's international cultural cooperation is our dedication towards deepening of international understanding by establishing a cultural dialogue, presenting Macedonian culture beyond our borders and understanding other cultures by presenting them in our country, accession of our country into international institutions and organizations in the field of culture, increasing the market of Macedonian cultural production, and strengthening contacts and communication with minorities so that culture may contribute towards swifter accession of the Republic of Macedonia into the European Union. I consider culture to be the most important cohesive factor which can eliminate all differences that exist between us. International cooperation is a significant segment in the policy of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia and in the Ministry of Culture. It is based on the common European policy and on coordinated activities aimed at preserving heritage and on intensive international presentation of cultural values. In this respect, last year we successfully realized the event 'Days of Macedonian Culture' in the USA and this year a similar event entitled 'Under the Macedonian Sun' was realized in the Czech Republic. European audience had a wonderful opportunity to become familiar with the depth and essence of Macedonian culture by presentation of Macedonian music, artistic, historic and cultural production.

The importance of our country as a promoter of inter-religious dialogue was witnessed in Venice in April this year through the great promotion of the anthology "Ohrid Massages for Peace and Mutual Life" and its DVD edition, which resulted from the First World Conference on Dialogue among Religions and Civilizations. This Conference was held two years ago in Ohrid under the auspices of UNESCO. Currently, we are working on organizing the Second World Conference which will be held in 2010. Macedonian artistes also participated in the renowned Venice Biennale. In addition to this, the Republic of Macedonia has become an attractive destination for many artistes worldwide that over the years have left an impression with their performances at Ohrid Summer Festival and Struga Poetry Evenings. We also had the opportunity to see a joint performance of a world renowned ensemble with one of our prominent pianists--the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra and Simon Trpchevski.

Until recently the Republic of Macedonia was the epicentre of the great Biennale of Young Artistes from Europe and the Mediterranean. The opening ceremony of this event, which brought together 700 artistes from around the globe, was attended by Mr. Jan Figel, EU Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth. This Biennale was supported by the 'Culture (2007-2013)' Programme of the European Union. The EU Culture Programme is of exceptional importance to the cultural sphere, especially because it is unique and provides finances for projects which implement the objectives of the Culture Programme. It promotes cross-border movement of individuals working in the field of culture, support for trans-national circulation of cultural and artistic works of art and promotion of an inter-cultural dialogue as part of the political--cultural agenda of the EU. This framework programme, with its strategic and complex concept, offers a wide range of cultural and artistic expressions, acting, networking and promotion of cultural institutions, cultural activists, artistes and non-governmental organizations that are creating in Europe. We are trying to take advantage of all these opportunities for culture and contribute to its global promotion.

The Republic of Macedonia is a country with a rich and long cultural tradition, but also a country which is at the crossroads of many cultures and civilizations. Protection of cultural heritage, promotion of diversity of cultural expression and inter-cultural dialogue, are significant goals in the work of the Ministry. How do you evaluate the achievements in this field and what are your plans for the future, with emphasis to using culture as a resource for development, including the development of cultural tourism?

The Ministry of Culture, through constant investments in archaeological research, among other investments, is making an effort to promote our country as an attractive destination and a story which is worth experiencing and re-telling. With the construction of the Memorial House dedicated to Mother Teresa, Skopje and the Republic of Macedonia have become recognizable around the world. In only several months since it was opened it has been visited by more than 50 000 people from the country and abroad. In addition to this, the construction of the Water Museum and reconstruction of the prehistoric pile dwelling in Ohrid Lake are invaluable. Undoubtedly, this location represents an exceptional tourist destination that will allow us to continue with the promotion of the cultural tourism strategy. It is worth mentioning that the Water Museum is the second reconstructed settlement in the country, the first being the Neolithic village of 'Tumba Madzari'. Immense success in promoting cultural tourism was achieved with the huge project for reconstruction of St. Clements's University at Plaoshnik, Ohrid. This location, where the first university of Slavic literacy was established in IX century, which was perhaps older than the University of Bologna, deserves to become the centre of some of the most renowned universities throughout the world. We drew up the Strategy for cultural tourism promotion exactly having in mind that the Republic of Macedonia is a country with a vast number of archaeological sites, churches and monasteries, castles, museums and many other movable and immovable cultural valuables. In that same direction, in the forthcoming period we are planning to establish tourist-cultural centres in several towns and cities around the country where souvenirs and replicas of artefacts would be sold. Moreover, these centres would also offer programmes for tourists to present our cultural and historical heritage as well as printed branded brochures containing all of our historical and natural beauties for the purpose of their better promotion to all those who visit our country.

Once again this year the Government of the Republic of Macedonia allocated considerable financing from the budget aimed at realizing capital projects in the field of culture. Which significant projects have been completed so far or are being realized as we speak and what are the future activities in this field?

I consider this period to be the renaissance of Macedonian culture. We have a large and ambitious cultural programme which will contribute towards further promotion of culture in our country and improvement of cultural life. Consequently, it will be reflected beyond our borders. I am convinced that its realization will boost the cultural development of our country.

At the beginning of the year, in the presence of many foreign and domestic visitors, we opened the Memorial House devoted to Mother Teresa. This capital project will always remind us of the humane values, the spirit and image of this larger than life benefactor.

We completed the extension to the National and University Library 'St. Clement of Ohrid', which added square footage and created room for digitalization of this institution.

By means of the Water Museum and revitalization of the Roman 'Castrum' we created a historic unity. By means of illumination of the Stone Bridge in Skopje, which is another capital project of the Ministry of Culture, this well-known landmark of Skopje and the Republic of Macedonia now shines in full glory.

The Ministry of Culture is working intensively on restoring and cherishing genuine values through the reconstruction of the Old Theatre, and through the Museum complex--Museum of the Macedonian Struggle and Museum dedicated to the Communism victims. The new venue for the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra is also under construction. This building will finally give Macedonian artistes an acoustic space in conformity with European and world standards so that they may present their talent to the music lovers by performing works of various composers. In addition to this, the Theatre in Veles and the Turkish theatre would gain their own venues for realization of the creative potential of their employees. Indisputably, we also have to mention the reconstruction of the Universal Hall, the construction of a Memorial House devoted Todor Proeski and the construction of two more theatres to replace the Drama and Macedonian National Theatre. Operations have also commenced on renovating the cultural centres and cultural halls and restoring the museum exhibits. This is particularly important because the entire cultural life in the towns and cities in Macedonia revolves around these cultural halls, and the museum exhibits bring back recollections of our past and cultural heritage we possess.

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As far as our capital investments in literature and publishing are concerned, I would like to mention the realization of the Macedonian literature project, i.e. the realization of the publishing of 130 volumes of Macedonian literature. The project entitled 'Translation of literary works by Nobel Prize winner authors and translation of professional literature in the cultural sphere' is also in the pipeline. In addition to this, the project entitled 'Publications about the most important values of our cultural and historic heritage' has also commenced. It encompasses publishing of 150 publications and scientific-popular books divided in four units and one separate book about Skopje.

Unprecedented work and investments are made in archaeology as well. We see immensely valuable discoveries every day in the press and in the electronic media. The trowels of the archaeologists are actively exploring the Macedonian soil on the sites of "Skupi, Stobi, Tetovo Kale, Vinica Kale, Carevi Kuli, Heraclea Linkestis, Marvinci, Stibera, Taor, Treskavec, Kiklopski Sidini (Cyclopes Walls), Stip Isar, Bargala, Vardarski Rid",... Macedonia is a country that has 6000 sites on its archaeological map thus representing an abundant exploration site. At the same time we are working actively on restoring St. Clements's University at Plaoshnik.

Just several weeks ago we put into operation the new storage facilities for the national collection of audio-visual works. This marks the first phase in the realization of the project for renovating and revitalizing the monument of culture 'Havzi-Pashini Konaci'. Thus, the institution "Cinematheque of Macedonia" will gain most modern facilities for storing the entire cinematic production, whereas the monument 'Havzi-Pashini Konaci', besides its value as a museum, will also protect, preserve and present our cinematic cultural heritage.

Culture is our greatest wealth and guiding force and that is why we are putting in special efforts and dedicating so much attention to this sphere.

The trend of opening Macedonian cultural centres around the globe is continuing. The latest project is the opening of such a centre in Istanbul, the Republic of Turkey. An immense role in presenting Macedonian culture is also carried out by our cultural ambassadors who are appointed abroad by the Government at your nomination. Are you satisfied with their work and do you envision that their number and activities will increase in the future?

Within the framework of signing the cooperation programmes in culture, education, science and sport with the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Turkey, the Russian Federation, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Serbia, possibilities have been created for the exchange of creative energy that artistes, scientists and sportspersons possess. The signing of these documents envisages opening of Macedonian cultural centres in some of these countries. For instance, with the cooperation programme with the Republic of Turkey it was agreed that the Cultural-Information Centre of the Republic of Macedonia is housed in the heart of Istanbul, at Taksim Square, whereas the Turkish Cultural Centre is housed in 'Kurshumli An', in the Old Bazaar of Skopje. It is also certain that this year we will open a Cultural-Information Centre in Ukraine, whereas next year we will realize the initiative of opening centres in Serbia and the Russian Federation. The Programme and the opening of cultural centres are an opportunity for two friendly nations to become acquainted with their respective cultures. Culture is one of the best and most efficient ambassadors a country can have. This has been confirmed by numerous foreign awards and recognitions our artistes have received while representing our country even though some of them work overseas. The title of Ambassador of Culture is awarded to the most outstanding Macedonian artistes. So far the title Ambassador of Macedonian Culture has been awarded to the director Milcho Manchevski in New York, the playwright Goran Stefanovski in London, the singer Vlado Janevski in Zagreb, the concert pianist Elena Misirkova in Vienna, the director Ivo Trajkov in Prague, the director Ivan Popovski in Moscow, the singer-songwriter Zafir Hadzimanov in Belgrade, the piano pedagogue Snezana Panovska in Kuala Lumpur and the tenor Blagoj Nacoski in Rome. I am truly pleased with their work. I would also like to emphasize that they have already initiated several projects and one of them will be completed in the course of this year. On the 15th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and the Republic of Macedonia, our cultural Ambassador Mr. Blagoj Nacovski will give a concert with Italian artistes. This remarkable event will take place at the end of this year.

As I mentioned earlier, we are working jointly on intensifying activities that will deepen and strengthen the cultural ties between the Republic of Macedonia and the world.