Skopje, 13 September 2023 (MIA) — The National Jazz Orchestra's permanent rehearsal space in the National Opera and Ballet building's basement will be renovated with 11.7 million denars granted by the Government, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi told a press conference Tuesday.

According to Deputy PM Bytyqi, the renovations will result in "a modern environment where the orchestra will be able to create jazz music unhindered, putting North Macedonia on the map of countries that institutionally nurture this style of music."

Minister of Culture Bisera Kostadinovska Stojchevska added that the premises of 475 square meters would be renovated to include "a space for rehearsals and directing, a small studio, a space for storing instruments and sheet music, men's and women's dressing rooms, toilets and three offices."

The National Jazz Orchestra was given the basement premises in June, following numerous protests staged by the Philharmonic against the Government's previous decision to house the newly founded jazz orchestra inside the Philharmonic building.

The protesters at the time said their building had been custom-built for the country's only symphony orchestra and could not house two orchestras. mr/