Skopje, 30 July 2021 (MIA) – President Stevo Pendarovski has invited Speaker Talat Xhaferi, Prime Minister Zoran Zaev and all leaders of parliamentary parties to attend together a ceremony in Krushevo marking Republic Day (Ilinden) on August 2. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, the President said that events held in Krushevo on Republic Day in the past had left more room for friction than unity. He said he will take a different approach to observing Ilinden. On August 2, the central event will take place in Krushevo at 6 pm so as to allow all those invited to make it for the ceremony after attending observances across the country. PM Zaev and DUI leader Ali Ahmeti have confirmed they will be one of the attendees. Other invitees include opposition leader Hristijan Mickoski, Levica leader Dimitar Apasiev, Alliance for Albania’s Ziadin Sela, etc. President Pendarovski will not deliver an address at the Mechkin Kamen ceremony. The central event will begin with the actor Nikola Ristanovski reading the Krushevo Manifest. It will be followed by a performance by Tanec folk dance ensemble and the Albanian Folk Dance Ensemble. World-renown guitarist Vlatko Stefanovski will also give a concert with the army orchestra. The President and guests will arrive with the ARM honorary battalion at Mechkin Kamen to lay wreaths. Pendarovski will also have two-minute video address. The upcoming event has been conceived so as to serve as a symbol of national unity, it was noted. According to established practices, the President, the Prime Minister and the Speaker rotated every year by taking part in Ilinden observances in Krushevo, Pelince and Skopje. This year, it is Pendarovski’s turn to be in Krushevo, Xhaferi in Skopje and Zaev in Pelince. Photo from MIA's archive