More than 800 artists from 27 countries will take part at this year's 58. edition of the Ohrid Summer Festival, traditionally held between July 12 and August 20.
Romanian opera diva Elena Mosuc (soprano) will open this year's festival, accompanied by tenor Calin Bratescu and the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Nicolae Moldoveanu.
Mosuc is presently considered one of the best sopranos in the world, seen as diverse and expressive.
Culture Minister Robert Alagjozovski told Monday's press conference that the festival's artistic programme was created in compliance with the festival's image as one of the pillars of Macedonia's international reputation in the fields of culture and art.
"We were guided by the concept of offering a programme based on exquisite classical music and aesthetic theatre, interwoven in the wonderful ambiance of the festival stages," added Alagjozovski.
Music programme selector Vaso Ristov said Ohrid will again be a true cultural metropolis, attracting visitors from other countries.
He announced the concerts of pianist Nikolai Lugansky, cellist Alexander Kniazev, violinist Sergei Krylov, pianist Aleksandar Madzar, harmonica player Antonio Serrano, a cappella sextet "Windsor Castle", as well as several concerts co-organized with embassies based in Macedonia.
The drama programme offers several theatre plays by Macedonian companies, but also tours of theatres from Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia.
Drama selector Aleksandar Popovski said "The Iliad" of the Slovene National Theatre will close the festival.
Ohrid Summer acting director Suzana Vrencovska voiced satisfaction from the efforts by the festival team in preparing the event.
"For us it is important to build the institution's brand while observing the budget and respecting the tradition. Ohrid Summer continues to create stories of success in order to maintain its epithet of renowned European festival," she added.
Ohrid Summer is realized under the auspices of the President, funded by the Ministry of Culture and state institutions. It is supported by a number of companies, enterprises and the Ohrid municipality.
