Jovan Ristovski
Theatre Director
Dear Buzzers,
People are afraid to speak their minds and be honest with themselves. However, self-honesty is crucial in building healthy relationships with others, which can lead to a fulfilling life.
Our society today is primarily focused on maximizing profits and meeting social expectations, often at the expense of our mental and emotional well-being. We have forgotten that we always have a choice to prioritize our inner peace. Unfortunately, mental and psychological issues in our country are often stigmatized and avoided, leading to an unhealthy environment for individuals to live in. This is just my perception, and I hope that I am wrong. But, according to reports like the World Health Statistics and the available data in our country, there is a significant rise in mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicide, particularly among young people.
I believe that it’s important for people to be honest with themselves and communicate openly with their loved ones and community about mental health. As a theatre director working in personal spaces, I was invited by the EU Ambassador, H.E. David Geer and his partner Paul Busschots, to create a multimedia project that promotes this idea. The project includes installation, performance, and art exhibition set in the EU residency in Skopje, which is open to all citizens who want to discuss mental health issues honestly and openly.
The performance takes place in three rooms: the Bedroom, Toilet, and Kitchen. These rooms are where people are most honest with themselves, leaving their masks behind. Through short and vivid moments, the audience gets to see the everyday life of people with different psychological conditions.
For me, the kitchen is particularly interesting because it is a symbol of home, family, and community. It conveys the importance of talking openly and honestly about our problems with family, loved ones, and the community. This can help to break taboos about the need for professional psychological help and build a healthy mental environment with those around us.
Fear and shame are man’s greatest enemies, but honest conversation can bring us to a better place – usually love, respect, and peace in the home and beyond.
Sincerely yours,
Jovan Ristovski
March was a whirlwind of a month! We made sure to give our utmost attention to three crucial topics that are close to our hearts – women’s rights and human rights, safeguarding our precious planet and its natural resources, and supporting the renowned poetry festival, Struga Poetry Evenings. Our team is usually involved in a range of areas, but we felt these three topics deserved special attention. So, fasten your seatbelts and join us on a quick journey through March.
These seven women are changing the world. They are fearless, compassionate, and relentless in their pursuit of a better future for their communities. They deserve our respect and recognition every day, not just on International Women’s Day (March 8). This year, the EU Delegation’s #TeamEurope approach brought together five ambassadors, a representative of the European Investment Bank, and the United Nations to recognize their accomplishments. At the 2024 European Woman of the Year event, they presented seven women of different nationalities who have dedicated their lives to making a positive impact. Remember these names: Daliborka Zlateva, Ana Vitanova-Ringačeva, Elmedina Abdullahi, Katerina Koteska-Stisniovska, Maria Duda Dibiaggio, Almira Fasljii Muarem, Gresa Mustafai. Let us honour their hard work and continue to support their efforts to create a better world for all.
“They break taboos and stand for women who fall victim to prejudices. They work tirelessly to remove all the barriers for women (and men), be it physical or social. They advocate clean environment and practice circular economy. They achieve remarkable sport results. They help young people get knowledge and become active citizens. Things that make all of them European Women of the Year.” – EU Ambassador David Geer
Fun Fact: Did you know that in the Macedonian Assembly, women make up 42% of the representation? This percentage is slightly higher than that of the German Bundestag.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Europe House Kriva Palanka organized an event to celebrate the inspiring stories of female athletes who have made history by pushing the boundaries and achieving great feats. The event featured an exhibition of frozen moments in time captured by photographer Maja Argakijeva, showcasing the top athletes from North Macedonia. The Embassy of France helped with the organization of the event, which was opened by Irène Ketoff, Attaché for Cooperation from the French Embassy in Skopje and Olgica Krstevska from the French Institute. Additionally, a follow-up session was held for young and talented athletes from the region, led by three top athletes – Puleksenia Jovanovska, Edina Musa, and Nataša Meškovska. The event was held in anticipation of the upcoming Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, for which Paris is preparing.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris will be the first event in modern civilization’s history to have complete gender equality? An equal number of male and female athletes and competitors will participate, making it a 50:50 ratio. This achievement reminds us of the three core Olympic values: excellence, respect, and friendship.
March is a significant month for environmental celebrations, where we honour International Day of Forests, World Water Day, World Wildlife Day, and Spring Equinox. To mark these events, Europe House Strumica organized an educational workshop for students from the local elementary school “Sando Masev”. The workshop was conducted by the scouts from the Scout Association of Macedonia and the Scout Group “Equinox” from Štip. During the workshop, the students learned various methods and tips to preserve nature. They were taught skills such as how to navigate in nature, how to purify water in the wild, how to light a fire easily and safely in nature, and many other valuable skills. This workshop not only enriched the students’ knowledge but also emphasized the importance of nature conservation.
Fun Fact: Water is a precious resource that has been circulating on Earth for millions of years. It’s fascinating to think that the same water that once existed on our planet is still in circulation today and has been consumed by our ancestors. Let us all pledge to preserve this valuable resource for future generations!
On World Wildlife Day, Europe House Bitola celebrated the natural beauty of Prespa with a short documentary featuring Dejan Dimidzievski, a young researcher and representative of Galičica National Park. The video emphasizes the importance of biodiversity in maintaining the delicate balance of the ecosystem and the need to protect this natural heritage for future generations. Prespa is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna, with numerous endemic and endangered species.
Fun Fact: Did you know that there are 29 different species of bats in the Prespa region alone, out of a total of 43 species found in Europe? That’s over 67% of all European bat species! We must work together to appreciate and protect this beautiful region. Let’s ensure that the natural beauty of Prespa remains intact for generations to come.
Discovering the wonders of nature is an essential part of growing up. That’s why Europe House Veles celebrated the International Day of Forests on March 22 by hosting an educational workshop called Nature’s Symphony. The workshop was a unique opportunity for children aged 5 to 11 to learn about the importance of forests and water in ensuring a quality life. The Veles Scout Squad shared their experiences with the children, inspiring them to explore the natural world around them.
The workshop was not just informative, but also fun. The children participated in the Edukido children’s program, where they used Lego blocks to come up with innovative solutions based on their newfound knowledge. It was amazing to see how creative they were!
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Dlaboka Reka Beech Forest, located in the beautiful Mavrovo National Park, has been recently added to the prestigious list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites? This achievement highlights the essential role that forests play in the preservation of our planet’s natural beauty and biodiversity. So next time you take a stroll in the woods, take a moment to appreciate the incredible natural wonder that surrounds us.
Struga is still buzzing with the excitement and energy of the first-ever Pulse of Poetry event held at Europe House Struga. The young and talented poets who graced the event with their powerful and captivating words have left a lasting impression on the audience.
This year, the EU Delegation is taking a remarkable step by becoming the patron of the prestigious Enhalon and Mlada Struga Awards at the International Poetry Festival Struga Poetry Evenings. With the support of Europe House Struga, the renewed Mlada Struga Award will recognize and celebrate the creative talent of a young poet or poetess who has not yet published a poetry collection. The Enhalon Award, established in 2012, will celebrate the best poem read at the festival by a young author residing in North Macedonia.
These awards provide a unique opportunity to encourage budding poets and promote poetic creativity among them. By recognizing and celebrating the talent of these young poets, the EU Delegation’s support for these awards is a testament to their commitment to fostering creativity and artistic expression in North Macedonia and beyond.
Fun Fact: The Enhalon Award is named after the ancient name of the city of Struga, which meant “eel”. This reference to the journey of young eels to the waters of Lake Ohrid via the river Crn Drim symbolizes the revival and expansion of poetry during the festival. The Struga Poetry Evenings Festival is an event that cannot be missed by any poetry enthusiast who is passionate about the future of poetry. With its prestigious awards and talented poets, this festival promises to be an unforgettable experience for all attendees. So, if you’re a lover of poetry, make sure to mark your calendars for this event!
Dear Buzzers,
We hope your time travel experience was truly out of this world! As we prepare to disembark, we invite you to join us on our next trip in April. The seats are filling up fast, so don’t wait to book your spot! Oops! We were joking earlier, we would be thrilled to welcome you back, and new Buzzers are always welcome to join our exciting journey. Thank you for embarking on this adventure with us, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!