President Siljanovska-Davkova criticizes proposal to downgrade Struga Poetry Evenings

President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova has criticized a proposal by the Ministry of Culture to downgrade the Struga Poetry Evenings (SPE) from an independent national institution to a mere sector within the ‘Braka Miladinovci’ Cultural Center.

During a visit to Struga, the President described the move as a ‘shocking’ and ‘uncultured attitude’ toward a festival that has served as a global symbol of cultural promotion for 65 years. She emphasized that the institution should be receiving support for digitalization, financing, and new projects rather than being reduced to a bureaucratic unit.

Siljanovska-Davkova also highlighted the festival's role in European integration processes and its long-standing partnership with UNESCO regarding the ‘Bridges of Struga’ award. Nikola Kukunesh, director of the Struga Poetry Evenings, noted that while a previous proposal by former minister Zoran Ljutkov did not pass a government commission, the current situation still feels like a ‘serious blow’ to the institution.