Skopje, 5 May 2023 (MIA) — With a music performance in front of the Ministry of Culture, the Philharmonic orchestra once again protested the state's decision to house the newly formed National Jazz Orchestra inside the Philharmonic building.

They accused the culture minister of manipulation and said they had reason to believe, after seeing official documents, that the jazz orchestra was going to be permanently accommodated there, and not "only temporarily" as it had been claimed.

"The report on forming a National Jazz Orchestra, submitted to the government — which we obtained by requesting public access to government information — does not contain anything about the newly established institution being temporarily housed in the Philharmonic building.

"On the contrary, the facility is listed as the only suitable option for housing it," Philharmonic Union leader Vladimir Lazarevski said.

Nowhere in the report, he stressed, was it mentioned that the Philharmonic building would be the National Jazz Orchestra's "temporary address so when the new institution finds a solid footing, it will get a new space." 

Lazarevski said the report was written without consulting the management of the Philharmonic.

If the decision is not withdrawn, according to the musicians, they will next hold a protest in front of the government.

This is the second protest by the orchestra's employees following the state's decision to house the National Jazz Orchestra in the Philharmonic.

The Philharmonic strongly opposed the decision from the outset, pointing out that they welcomed the decision to form a National Jazz Orchestra but not the decision for it to be in the same building.

They said the building was designed and custom-built for one symphony orchestra. mr/