Krushevo, 25 January 2025 (MIA) - Toshe Proeski’s 44th birthday was marked at Gumenje in Krushevo on Saturday with a program called "You Are an Angel." Toshe, the legendary Macedonian and Balkan music star, died in a car accident on October 16, 2007, near Nova Gradishka, Croatia.

"As long as Toshe’s songs are played, his memory will stay alive. Many fans, both local and international, who listen to his songs and visit this memorial museum shows that Toshe’s legacy will last for a long time. It’s a painful truth that Toshe left us too young, with so many of his dreams and projects unfulfilled. But it’s encouraging that fans, supporters, and all of us together keep his memory alive through his work," said Lefkija Gadzoska, director of the Todor Proeski Memorial House at Gumenje, Krushevo.

The Todor Proeski Memorial House hosted performances by young singers Nela Mancheska, Doris Dimovska, and the Lockdown band, singing Toshe's songs. Also performing were the vocal ensemble "Orenda" and the vocal group "Graffiti" from the Cultural Center in Gorna Oryahovitsa, Bulgaria, led by Adelina Koleva.

Numerous fans and supporters of Toshe from both the country and abroad gathered at Gumenje, his eternal resting place, and at the Todor Proeski Memorial House, where items, photographs, and his personal belongings are kept, preserving his memory forever.

At 11:15 am, the time when Toshe was born, several delegations and fans laid flowers at his eternal resting place in Gumenje. 

Minister of Culture Zoran Ljutkov honoured Toshe’s memory by visiting his family first. He announced that within the next two years, a film, documentary, and series about Toshe would be produced, with support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and MRTV.

“Toshe achieved greatness in music. However, his true legacy lies in his mission to bring people together, through his kindness, courage, humanity, and love for his country. He demonstrated to both Macedonia and the world how things should be in the future. I had an emotional meeting with Toshe’s family today, and we must continue his work,” Ljutkov said.

“We have signed a contract with Euroimage to support Macedonian TV series. In collaboration with MRTV, the government and the Ministry have agreed to secure adequate funding for a major project: a film, a series, and a documentary about Toshe Proeski’s life and work,” he added.

“This project is of national importance. I hope that by the end of February, after the producer is chosen, the project will start to be implemented,” said the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Zoran Ljutkov.

Photo: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, MIA