Krushevo, 28 January 2026 (MIA) - Opening cultural centres, providing support through mutual concession of such centres around the world for cultural events, forming a joint chamber ensemble, and cooperation in the film industry are just some of the many projects and events included in the 2026-2030 Cultural Cooperation Program between North Macedonia and Serbia.

Minister of Culture Zoran Ljutkov and his Serbian counterpart Nikola Selaković signed the 2026-2030 Cultural Cooperation Program in the historical and touristic town of Krushevo on Wednesday. The signing event coincides with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries. 

"This is a significant day for both countries. Not only do we celebrate 30 years of cooperation, but we are also signing an important document in culture - the Cultural Cooperation Program, as culture has intensively bound the two countries for decades. We are now adding to future events and activities between Macedonia and Serbia. What is even more interesting to me is the opening of cultural centres in Macedonia and Serbia, and more importantly, what we agreed on - support, i.e. concession of the cultural centres that Macedonia and Serbia have outside their countries. That way we will help each other. If Macedonia wants to present some cultural content, for example in Paris or in some other city, the cultural centre that Serbia has there will step in and vice versa," said Ljutkov.

He pointed out that the two countries have maintained good cooperation in culture so far, adding that it is also important that national institutions cooperate closely.

"We also discussed forming a chamber ensemble, which, for example, would work in such a way that a Serbian composer would rework and adapt Macedonian music or vice versa and the ensemble would be able to travel anywhere in the world. We have hundreds of projects. We will also have regional cooperation in the film industry. This means giving up capacities from Macedonia and Serbia so that foreign companies from this industry can step in," Ljutkov said.

Serbia's Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković pointed out that it is an honour to sign the cooperation program for the next four years in the historical and touristic town of Krushevo, noting that this year's 30th anniversary since the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries will be marked with several cultural events.

"We signed the Cultural Cooperation Program between the two countries and the two ministries for the 2026-2030 period. During that period, we are planning to step up cooperation, which has been good and fruitful so far in various areas of culture. Regardless of whether this is about contemporary works or about cultural protection, which will be further discussed. We will do our best to mark this 30th anniversary with cultural events in an adequate manner. We also discussed possibilities for cooperation at the regional level in the field of film production, i.e. promoting Serbia, Macedonia and other countries in the region as filming destinations. Our countries complement each other with film shooting locations, and with that, we can be competitive," said Selaković, who is paying a two-day visit to the country. 

Photo: MIA