The 64th edition of the “Ohrid Summer” festival will conclude tonight at the Ancient Theatre at 9 PM with the theatrical performance “Alice in the Land of Fear” by Eva Mahković, performed by the Yugoslav Drama Theatre from Belgrade, Serbia, and directed by one of our most esteemed internationally renowned directors, Aleksandar Popovski.
Reflecting on this year’s edition, the director of the NU “Ohrid Summer,” Nataša Popović, stated at today’s closing press conference that this year’s program brought an unusual and exciting edition that maintained the quality that has been characteristic of the festival for the past 64 years.
“With great responsibility, but also with the obligation to give our best, we made every effort to be excellent hosts to over 800 top artists and renowned theater companies from 24 countries. The audiences at the Ancient Theatre, the Church of St. Sophia, the courtyard of St. Sophia, Dolni Saraj, and the Cultural Center were filled to the last seat, which gives us the right to say that we offered quality that justified the title of a recognizable and unique festival. Many events were in high demand, and we also recorded a record attendance from international audiences,” Popović said.
At today’s press conference, she expressed immense gratitude to all the performers who proved through their performances that the stage of “Ohrid Summer” belongs only to the best.
“The quality of the program also depends on the skill of the selectors themselves. I extend enormous gratitude to Bisera Chadlovska and Sanja Arsovska, two prominent artists and cultural workers well-known in the domestic and international music and theater communities, who have rich professional careers behind them. Thanks also to the ‘Ohrid Summer’ team, a team that knows how to work professionally and handle all challenges. It is undeniable that for such a top-tier festival, which is a presenter of Macedonian culture and art, the support from the President of the country, who is also the Patron of the Festival, the Ministry of Culture, as the institution that financially supports the Festival, the Municipality of Ohrid, as well as our loyal sponsors and friends, is of enormous importance. Their support serves as an example of how to nurture and sustain a festival. The greatness of ‘Ohrid Summer’ is certainly also due to the support from the Embassies in the Republic of North Macedonia. This year, to my great pleasure, we had 13 diplomatic evenings, which certainly proves our success in the field of international exchange of artists and culture,” said Director Popović.
She added that “Ohrid Summer,” as a member of the European Festival Association, will continue to nurture high cultural values to maintain its status as a highly renowned European festival.