THE OHRID SUMMER FESTIVAL AND PIVARA SKOPJE, A PARTNERSHIP NURTURED FOR DECADES
Poured by
Aneta Perevska
Ohrid, the city through which passes the most important Macedonian cultural artery and the city which best represents the totality of our culture and spiritual heritage, has been welcoming an event that connects creative minds and virtuosos, and enthusiasts for 55 years, giving our existence a more profound dimension. The Ohrid Summer Festival is the event that has long been seen as the center of world art.
Since 1961, each summer, the narrow streets of this city pulsate in a symphonic rhythm; the wind repeats world-renowned ballet dancers’ twists; and the lake whispers replicas from the uncountable and unforgettable theatrical performances. During this period of the year, Ohrid is not only the main tourist destination, but a city in which many amazing stories intertwine. During this period, audiences of all ages get a unique opportunity for a double enjoyment- unique stage art and unique architecture.
This event was first born within the thick walls of the Church of St. Sophia which has turned into a recognizable symbol of the Ohrid Summer Festival, and whose perfect acoustics add value to the performances of numerous superb musical artists. And as years went by, the program of the Festival expanded to cover the entire city, so it is completely natural that the Festival now includes the imposing stage of the Ancient Theatre of Ohrid, a stage on which all festival experiences represent an exciting story per se.
As a company which tells unique stories itself, and which is an inseparable part of Macedonian tradition and culture, Pivara Skopje has been a proud friend of the Ohrid Summer Festival for many years now. And it is precisely the care for the true cultural values that is the common driver connecting these two Macedonian brands. For decades, the Ohrid Summer Festival has hosted hundreds of prominent names in the area of music and theatre, and Pivara Skopje is always a faithful friend to all those who respect the tradition of our country and the modern global trends.
Therefore, our partnership is excellently reflecting the consistency of Pivara Skopje in promoting the best, and this Festival is surely nothing short of being the best. And we surely can prove this. Suffice to mention the fact that the Ohrid Summer Festival stages have hosted several of the most renowned artists in the world, such as the insuperable Jose Contreras, the legendary opera singer Inva Mula, the energetic Indian conductor Zubin Mehta, the renowned pianists Andrei Korobeinikov, Nikolai Lugansky and Ivo Pogorelić, but also violin virtuosos such as Midori, Maxim Vengerov, Stefan Milenković and many others.
The friendship between the Ohrid Summer Festival and Pivara Skopje has also resulted in breathtaking drama performances of high-ranking theaters, starting from theaters coming from former Yugoslavian countries, up to world-renowned and recognized ensembles from Russia, Turkey, France, USA, Holland, Italy, Greece etc. Crowd cheers with which the audience always rewords the performances set on the stages in the vestibule of the Church of St. Sophia, Dolni Saraj, the Samuel’s Fortress, Sveti Naum, Saraishte, and Plaoshnik, are the greatest triumph celebrating our decades-long partnership.
THE OHRID SUMMER FESTIVAL 2016
The Ohrid Summer Festival is still shining today as it did 55 years ago, and it possesses the same magic of leaving visitors breathless. In 2016, even in our digital era in which we only rarely stop to feel the true beauty of culture and art on our skin and through our ears, around 25,000 people gather in the Dolni Saraj open stage filling in till the last seat. Last year, the Festival has been deservedly awarded the recognition presented by the Ministry of Economy for its valuable contribution to the development of tourism in the category of best cultural events.
During the 40 Festival days, tourists and locals enjoy in every atom of art vibrating throughout the city. And in between the breaks from the rich Festival program, enjoying comfortably in some of Ohrid’s picturesque restaurants, they share their impressions while tasting the best dishes of Macedonian cuisine. Fish specialties, barbecue, pizza and gjomleze, all taste differently when eaten in a city breathing art. They taste even better when combined with beer, dark or lager, lemon or cherry-flavored, it does not matter, as long as it is consumed responsibly and moderately.
But, what is the point of building spiritual values by organizing cultural events, if there is support missing? On the other hand, what the true value of business would be if not promoting the most valuable? The Ohrid Summer Festival and Pivara Skopje know the answers to these questions. That is why they choose to nurture their true friendship lasting for decades.
The opinions expressed herein are the author's and do not necessarily represent the views of Pivara Skopje.
