Skopje, 27 November 2024 (MIA) - North Macedonia and Japan marked 30 years of diplomatic relations at an event held in the Macedonian National Theatre on Tuesday evening. Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov voiced his belief that the two countries can continue to bolster their cultural cooperation in the future through dialogue and mutual desire.

According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the event was attended by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, the diplomatic corps and Japan’s Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Shunichi Tokura. 

“Commissioner Tokura, from the land of the rising sun, is today a dear guest in the land of the sun, among friends and people who hold Japanese culture in exceptionally high esteem,” Minister Ljutkov stressed, expressing gratitude for Japan’s donations in the field of culture, assessing them as “a sign of friendship and a precious contribution to the development of Macedonian culture and the strengthening of mutual relations”.

The Minister highlighted the significance of the Memorandum on cultural cooperation signed by the two countries, which, he said, will intensify cooperation in culture between the two countries in areas such as UNESCO projects and film.  

“I sincerely believe that these are acts of mutual trust and friendship which we expect to be upgraded in the future and to further strengthen the cultural ties that exist between our two friendly countries,” Ljutkov stressed in his address at the event. 

The event was also addressed by Japan’s Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, Shunichi Tokura, the Japanese Ambassador to the country, Kazuya Otsuka, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Zoran Dimitrovski, who in their addresses, according to the Ministry, underscored the exceptional bilateral relations and the assistance provided by Japan, as one of the country’s largest donors. They also stressed the Macedonian-Japanese friendship, noting its firm foundations and the potential for its further enhancement in the future.

At the event, the National Jazz Orchestra performed compositions inspired by Macedonian traditional works, as well as works by Japan’s Nobuo Watanabe. 

Photo: Ministry of Culture and Tourism