Skopje, 25 April 2024 (MIA) - Work on the exterior of the new building of the Turkish Theatre in Skopje has been completed, and construction continues in the third stage as part of which internal installations will be installed with a public call currently underway for the selection of a contractor.

Culture Minister Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska visited the building on Thursday and voiced satisfaction with the way construction is proceeding.

EUR 4.4 million were allocated for construction realized thus far, and with the new investments by the Ministry of Culture, Kostadinovska Stojchevska said the process will be finalized.

The Minister said the Government’s decision for a three-year continued financing of the project serves as a guarantee that the Turkish Theatre will soon receive a new home.  

“Over three budget years – 2024, 2025, 2026 – the Ministry of Culture is continuing to finance the project for which funds in the amount of EUR 6.1 million are planned. EUR 1.7 million have been allocated from the Ministry’s budget for this year,” the Minister said, highlighting the 70 decades of contribution to the popularization and affirmation of Turkish and overall culture by the Turkish Theatre. 

The head of the Turkish Theatre, Aylin Emin Skoro, said the second stage of construction is completed and work is set to begin on the third stage – internal installations.

“Public procurement is already underway, and we expect it to end within the legal deadline, to select the contractor and immediately begin work on the internal installations. The building is imagined as a cultural center that will promote and affirm the language and culture of the Turkish people in this country, and the newly established national institution – Turkish Cultural Center – will also operate within it, with galleries,” the head of the Turkish Theatre said.

The Turkish Theatre in Skopje has existed for 74 years. Work on a new building to house the Theatre began in 2015 close to the Railway Station in Skopje. While construction is ongoing, the Turkish Theatre is operating from the building of Skopje’s Comedy Theatre. 

Photo: MIA