Skopje, 12 October 2025 (MIA) — The Experience for Success coalition's Skopje mayoral candidate Aleksandar Trajanovski announced Sunday his plans to change the name of the City Park's Summer Stage to the Aki Rahimovski Stage, in honor of the Macedonian-born frontman of the Croatian rock band Parni Valjak.

"Rahimovski has left an indelible mark on regional musical history and his spirit is deeply connected to Skopje. It is time the city paid lasting tribute to him, with a stage that will live on through new generations of musicians and artists," Trajanovski said in a press release.

His election platform also includes reinstating the Skopje Festival "which used to be a symbol of the Macedonian music tradition and new art trends for decades," he said.

"The festival," Trajanovski said, "will once again unite the domestic scene and provide space to the young generation of authors, performers and composers."

He said he also planned on building the first Roma theater in the country as an institution nurturing and promoting Roma culture, language and tradition. It would honor the legacy of Esma Redzhepova, with a memorial to her and an annual concert of folk ensembles and orchestras in her honor.

"Skopje has to be once again a city that creates and inspires," he said. mr/