Pendarovski honors 13 prominent artists in Macedonian folk music with Medal of Merit
Skopje, 10 October 2022 (MIA) – At a ceremony on Monday evening ahead of the National Uprising Day – October 11, President Stevo Pendarovski awarded a Medal of Merit to artists Anka Gieva and Violeta Tomovska, and posthumously Pece Atanasovski, Nikola Badev, Mirvet Belovska, Ajri Demirovski, Vaska Ilieva, Vanja Lazarova, Kiril Manchevski, Tale Ognenovski, Kocho Petrovski, Aleksandar Sarievski and Jonche Hristovski for significant contributions to nurturing, popularizing and preserving Macedonian folk songs, as well as promoting and affirming Macedonian music and culture internationally.
“Our national anthem authored by Vlado Maleski, was one of the most popular partisan songs that united the people in the fight for national freedom and social justice. On the eve of October 11 - the National Uprising Day, we honor with Medal of Merit for the Republic of North Macedonia some of our top artists who created and interpreted songs about the life of our people throughout the centuries and the struggle for freedom and human justice,” President Pendarovski said after the performance of the national anthem, which is one of the first songs written and sung during the anti-fascist and people's liberation war.
The President stressed that the national creative work is the central point of the Macedonian identity.
“The creation and passing on of folk songs is the most significant collective creative feat of the Macedonian people in conditions of occupation and propaganda. The songs that helped our ancestors withstand all attempts at assimilation have become an inalienable part of our identity. As a testament to linguistic, cultural and spiritual continuity, poems remember much more than we can forget,” Pendarovski said.
He pointed out that the artists honored on Monday presented the country’s folk music to the Macedonian and world public in a masterful way. Through their performances and concerts, audio and video recordings, the world learned about the unique 7/8 Macedonian rhythm, and the artists themselves created original works that were accepted by the people and became part of all private and public celebrations.
“These are the greatest sources of Macedonian folk music and songs. Each of them deserves a special honor and ceremony, and together they present to us the many layers of the original Macedonian folk music. They cooperated and supported each other, aware that they were not working only for their personal careers, but for a much higher purpose. Their works are an example of true patriotism. So, it should come as no surprise that their performances and songs so powerfully connect and unite us, no matter where we are in the world,” said Pendarovski.
The President pointed out that we are faced with a great task of how, at times of deep division, to renew awareness of the common good and to think and work not only for personal interest.
Pendarovski underlined that the icons of Macedonian folk music give an example of how we can overcome the current challenges together.
