Skopje, 10 February 2023 (MIA) – The Ministry of Culture budget for the support of culture projects in 2023 has been set to EUR 12,5 million, said Minister Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska on Friday.

Kostadinovska-Stojchevska told a press conference that 2023 is a year of significant jubilees and anniversaries, and the relevant commissions allocated funds in support of high quality projects ahead of the 60th anniversary of the catastrophic earthquake in Skopje, the year of Aco Shopov, 120 years since the Ilinden Uprising, 120 years since the publishing of book “On Macedonian Matters” by Krste Misirkov and 70 years of the Institute for Macedonian Language which bears his name.

She said the application process for financing this year was carried out through the national website for e-services for the first time and the decisions for accepted, rejected and dismissed projects will be electronically sent to the profiles of the users.

“The electronic system has registered 3,355 relevant applications, 332 applications have been dismissed due to incomplete documentation,” said Kostadinovska-Stojchevska.

As a result of the electronic application process, she said, the efficiency of the work during the administrative selection of projects has increased significantly.

The Minister said the results of the call will be published on the website of the Ministry of Culture.

“The commissions that make the decisions regarding the applications have remained consistent to the principles – quality of projects, their significance for the public interests in culture, their relevance for the needs of the citizens, support for the youth and stimulation of their creativity, support for projects aimed at children, support for the cultures of the ethnic communities, the vulnerable and marginalized, as well as the principle of gender equality. The commissions also sought to support projects by applicants who have not used funds from the Ministry’s budget in the past. Projects with an intercultural character and those that contribute to the de-metropolitanization of culture. And of course, projects that affirm our culture and art beyond our borders,” added Kostadinovska-Stojchevska.

She also noted that support was approved for jubilees such as 115 years since the birth of Kosta Racin, 120 years since the birth of artist Nikola Martinoski, as well as 75 years of performances of KUD “Emin Duraku” and KUD “Jeni Jol”.

“It is evident by the reports that the commission aimed to make quality and fair selections within the provided budget, to support events with a long tradition and proven reputation, as well as projects that have grabbed the interest and attention of the public. With this year’s program we are continuing to finance the preservation of cultural heritage, as well as the preservation and digitization of our audiovisual heritage,” stressed Kostadinovska-Stojchevska.

“I believe that the chosen projects will be an added value in the perception of culture, but also an incentive for our artists and writers to continue to invest in their professional careers. This is my personal commitment and the commitment of the Ministry. I wish for a successful realization of the projects and I expect that next year we will have continuity in the creative and high quality program of events, which will remain in the permanent memory of the Macedonian society,” said the Minister. ad/ik/