The past three evenings, as harbingers to the Ohrid Summer Festival, the “Youth Podium” took place in the St Sophia Church.
The idea and executor of this project is Jeunesses Musicales Macedonia, and within it the young artists Bogdan Dugalik from Serbia, Andrej Popovski from Macedonia, the young Czech musicians Kamil El-Ahmadieh and Sara Jedlickova, as well as the Macedonian chamber ensemble “Nonet+” under the baton of Andrej Spiroski took their performances.
Bogdan Dugalik, a piano student at the prestigious Mozarteum University in Salzburg, was the one given the honour to open the Youth Podium.
– This is my first time performing at the Ohrid Summer Festival, and actually my first visit to Ohrid. I am very surprised by the beautiful city and lake, as well as the Church St. Sophia itself. My plans are to give performances as much as possible, to take part in competitions because that is the only way to make a career in our world, – said the young Dugalik.
The young Andrej Popovski had his performance in St. Sophia, too. He was born and lives in Denmark. Since last year Popovski has been attending a pre-conservatorium school for especially talented musicians, and has twice won the First Prize at the “Pianister i Nord” competition.
– Many times when I visit Ohrid I am at the side of the audience, and this is my first time on the concert podium. I am a high-school student, but simultaneously attend music lessons, – says Popovski.
The Youth Podium was closed yesterday evening with a concert of the chamber ensemble “Nonet+” under the baton of Andrej Spiroski.
– I am very much thankful to the Ohrid Summer Festival and Jeunesses Musicales Macedonia for being excellent examples of what music is indeed. I am originally from Struga and since my early childhood my contact with classical music has been thsough the Ohrid Summer Festival. I have observed the young musicians’ development through the Jeunesses Musicales Macedonia. It is a great honour and a dream come true to be part of that, – says the conductor Spiroski.The Youth Podium was established more than 50 years ago. Each year it presents young and outstandingly talented musicians from the Republic of North Macedonia and worldwide.
