Belgrade, 22 June 2023 (MIA) - The Open Balkan initiative’s cooperation in the field of culture kicked off on Tuesday in Belgrade with a gala concert by Zubin Mehta celebrating the Belgrade Philharmonic's centenary, with North Macedonia's Minister of Culture, Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska, in attendance. Mehta’s concert in Belgrade will be followed by performances in Tirana on June 22 and Skopje on June 24. 

In an interview with MIA's Belgrade correspondent, Culture Minister Kostadinovska-Stojchevska commented on the Open Balkan initiative’s cooperation in the field of culture, projects implemented so far as well as future projects, the National Opera and Ballet's guest performance in Belgrade next week, and a joint art exhibition of the three countries in Paris on July 13. 

"Preparations are already underway for the first major event where all three Open Balkan countries will be presenting a joint art exhibition in the Republic of France, in Paris, on July 13. This process is in the advanced stage of organization. The two Prime Ministers and the President of the Republic of Serbia will be attending the event, as well as the Ministers of Culture, which means that this will be an event at the highest level, in the heart of France, where art always has priority before all other activities," the Minister told MIA.

Below is the full interview with the Minister of Culture, Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska, along with video material. 

So far, the Open Balkan initiative has had results primarily in the field of economy. Since last night, with a gala concert by Zubin Mehta to celebrate the Belgrade Philharmonic's centenary, a new segment of the Open Balkan in the field of culture has begun. How did the expansion of this initiative come about, and what does it mean for culture, exchange, presentation and cooperation among the Open Balkan countries?

Cultural cooperation within the Open Balkan initiative has been established since last year, together with the Ministers of Culture of the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Albania, with the signing of the memorandum for cooperation, and that was the starting point of our initiative, along with other types of cooperation within the Open Balkan, for culture to gain a bit of an advantage, but to highlight that moment of advantage, that our cultures are different, but also very close as nations. This is the first major event, with the Belgrade Philharmonic and with Zubin Mehta, to be followed by performances in Tirana on June 22 and Skopje on June 24.

However, cultural cooperation within the Open Balkan has been active since 2022. So, last year we had the first edition of Exit in Strumica, and a second edition is being prepared for this year. Last year, the National Opera and Ballet hosted Belgrade's National Opera and Ballet, and next week our opera and ballet will give a guest performance of "The Young Ladies of Avignon" in Belgrade. All this says that this kind of cooperation is not something new. Last night we started a major initiative within the Open Balkan. Less than a month ago, the Bitola National Theater performed in Tirana, and we enable and finance such cooperation within the Open Balkan initiative.

There is another initiative that we signed here in Belgrade in September 2022. It involves cooperation in the field of cinematography, so that we can discuss joint co-productions, among other things. This collaboration is still in the structuring phase and will be followed by a meeting between our Film Agency and the relevant institutions from Serbia and Albania, which will hopefully result in a joint product.

The benefits of the Open Balkan in the field of economy are well-known. We are talking about Open Balkan in the field of culture. What do the citizens get from this initiative in culture, and what are the benefits of such a cooperation?

"This puts the benefits of cultural exchange at an even higher level. It is the feeling of emotion every time these three countries from the Open Balkan join together, when we produce together, when we have a joint theater performance, when we have guest performances, that is what gives the citizens a kind of special cultural and spiritual wealth and gives us a sense of community. So, in addition to the movement of cultural workers, in addition to such exchange of experience and art, we get the feeling that we are together and represent a community that must move forward.

Several projects have already been implemented within the Open Balkan in terms of the free flow of goods, services, capital and people. Thus, through the Wine Vision by Open Balkan fair, the three countries began to jointly participate in major events in Europe and the world.

Are there plans for Open Balkan in the field of culture, for joint participation in events in Europe and joint presentation of cultural heritage, values ​​and achievements?

Preparations are already underway for the first major event where all three Open Balkan countries will be presenting a joint art exhibition in the Republic of France, in Paris, on July 13. This process is in the advanced stage of organization. The two Prime Ministers and the President of the Republic of Serbia will be attending the event, as well as the Ministers of Culture, which means that this will be an event at the highest level, in the heart of France, where art always has priority before all other activities. 

Amid such cooperation within the Open Balkan, this year, for the event, the Republic of Serbia made available their Cultural Center in Paris. This means that the cultural and informational centers we have in Tirana, and soon here in Belgrade, will be further support to us, not only for promoting our culture, but also for promoting the Open Balkan initiative. I hope these initiatives will add further color as soon as possible and such positive examples, as we witnessed last night and will witness in the coming days, will be an incentive for all artists, for initiatives, to further develop it and for the Ministry of Culture and the Government to help this cooperation reach another higher level.

Oliver Brankovikj

Translation: Nevenka Nikolikj

Photo: MIA

Video and editing: Andrej Brankovikj