Skopje, 10 June 2025 (MIA) -- The Karposh Children's Center's fifth Classical Ballet and Modern Dance Festival begins Tuesday at the Macedonian National Theater and runs through Thursday.

Festival organizers said they would make a posthumous lifetime achievement award to Gjorgji Makedonski, the founder of the country's ballet scene.

They also said they were establishing an award in his memory. The first Gjorgji Makedonski Award will be given to Risima Risimkin for her pivotal contribution to avant-garde dance and modern dance education.

As in the previous four years, the festival will present several classical ballet performances alongside contemporary dance acts.

This year's performers include members of the Turkish dance company Istanbul Junior Ballet; Ilija Nikolovski Luj State Music and Ballet School students; Karposh Children's Center ballet club members; Ballerina Studio members; Goce Delchev University's Modern Dance Academy students; and National Opera and Ballet dancers.

Also offered at the two festival evenings will be two classical ballet and modern dance workshops.

The Classical Ballet and Modern Dance Festival is supported by the City of Skopje and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. mr/