Skopje, 11 December 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov visited the Natural History Museum - Skopje on Thursday, signing a Memorandum of Cooperation alongside Stopanska Banka AD Skopje CEO and President of the Board of Directors, Hrisula Kutudi, and the national institution's director, Ivica Zarkadov, to enable the modernization of the museum.

Minister Ljutkov noted that the important three-year strategic partnership between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Natural History Museum - Skopje and Stopanska Banka AD - Skopje is being formalized on Thursday. He expressed gratitude to Stopanska Banka for recognizing the importance of this mission and the initiative of the director of the Natural History Museum to enable a new modern form of expression for the institution, which will be important for young people and for the citizens in general. 

"Their dedication and vision allow us to begin together a process of substantial modernization and digital refreshment of this institution, just in time for its centenary. With this Memorandum, we are setting an example of how the public and private sectors can successfully cooperate to create better conditions for learning, for innovative cultural and scientific content and for supporting young generations. I am particularly pleased that the projects to be implemented, including the “Magic Room”, improved accessibility, a modern website and new digital tools, will directly impact the development of curiosity, knowledge and creativity among the youngest visitors," Ljutkov pointed out.

He said the Ministry remains fully committed to providing institutional support and creating conditions in which such partnerships will continue to grow.

Director of the Natural History Museum - Skopje, Ivica Zarkadov, expressed gratitude to Stopanska Banka AD - Skopje for the significant donation of EUR 150,000, and for recognizing the importance of the museum and investing in its new modernization and development.

"With these funds, the museum will renovate the entrance and the hall, build the first interactive room of its kind, i.e. the so-called "Magic Room", where visitors will experience time travel to the most unusual places from history and prehistory. They will see the origin of the world, meet prehistoric animals and insects and dive into the deepest oceans. We will also modernize the website, enabling virtual walks, online ticket purchase, access to all information in the museum, as well as to all periodicals published by the museum," said Zarkadov. 

He noted that in recent years the museum gets 10,000 to 14,000 visitors per year. With the implementation of this project, it is expected that the number of visits will at least double and the museum will become one of the most attractive museums in the country, both for students and young people, and for tourists visiting the country.

"This project comes at a time when the museum is preparing for its centenary celebrations in 2026. I would like to point out that in the entire century of its work, this is the first such major donation directly invested in the museum building. I am convinced that the example of Stopanska Banka AD - Skopje will be a strong incentive and inspiration for many other socially responsible companies to follow their footsteps and invest in the development of culture, preservation of nature, science and the public interest," Zarkadov said, also expressing gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and to Minister Ljutkov for the support. 

Stopanska Banka AD Skopje CEO and President of the Board of Directors, Hrisula Kutudi, said the bank is committed to the new partnership with the museum and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

"Stopanska Banka has a long tradition of supporting education, science and public institutions. I hope that with this partnership we will contribute to new interactive and immersive experiences for the thousands of children who visit the museum every year, continuing the scientific mission that has been built for a century. I thank the Ministry for their support and the museum team for their energy and inspiration in collaborating with our team. I look forward to meeting you here again, at the opening of the new digital exhibits," said Kutudi. 

Photo: MIA