Skopje, 19 December 2024 (MIA) – From January until October 2024, municipalities spent EUR 961,000 to pay singers and other performers. The sum is expected to exceed one million euros by the end of the year. Last year, 1 million and 11 thousand euros were spent to pay performers, shows research of the Center for Civil Communications on the costs made by municipalities for entertainment events. 

The highest paid performer this year is Croatia’s Severina after being paid 25,000 euros by the Municipality of Kriva Palanka. However, according to the research, it was Croatia’s Jelena Rozga who was paid the most for two concerts she performed, one in Berovo and the other in Shtip.

Last year, highest paid performer was Serbia’s Sasha Kovacevic, who received 26,000 euros from the Municipality of Shtip.

“The municipalities of Kavadarci, Strumica, Shtip, Kisela Voda and Veles spent the most money for events with performers. The municipalities provide these services through somewhat untransparent procedures or find ways not to apply the law on public procurements. 50 municipalities had such costs. Of the others, 29 do not have and two didn’t file data,” says the Center for Civil Communications. 

Events organized by the municipalities to mark occasions, including New Year’s Eve or food and beverage festivals, cost the citizens over one million euros every year.

“The money is paid by the municipalities from their budgets,” adds the Center.

The research was conducted according to data obtained from the municipalities after requests for free access to public information had been sent. 

Photo: Center for Civil Communications