Mayor Mexhiti heralds the birth of a new cultural tradition with the ‘Çarshia’ Festival

Marking the start of the first edition of the International Music Festival “Çarshia”, which will take place in the Old Bazaar from today until July 26, the Mayor of Çairi municipality, Izet Mexhiti, announced the beginning of a new cultural tradition for this municipality and Skopje.

During today’s press conference, Mexhiti pointed out that, under the artistic direction of sopranos Inva Mula and Dëshira Ahmeti, attendees will have the chance to enjoy a diverse program that includes classical music, opera, flamenco, and other genres that blend heritage with contemporary interpretations.

Describing the event as an enrichment of the cultural calendar, he said that the first edition of this festival, an initiative intended to become an annual tradition, will take place in two of the most emblematic heritage buildings – Suli An and Kurshumli An. According to him, these venues will host renowned local and international artists over four nights.

Mayor Mexhiti explained that the selection of these locations was not at all random. Highlighting their historical significance, he stressed that Skopje’s Old Bazaar has always served as a meeting point of cultures, people, and history, and therefore he believes this is the right environment where art takes an even stronger role in public space and builds a natural bridge between our heritage and modern creativity.

Mexhiti expressed his conviction that investment in culture carries the same weight as investments in other sectors of urban development. At the end of his speech, he underlined that through these projects, doors are opened for artists, quality cultural content is offered to citizens, and at the same time, the promotion of the cultural and historical identity of Çairi and Skopje is strengthened. The municipality’s goal, he added, is for this festival to become a sustainable platform that will grow in quality and variety year after year, attracting artists and visitors from the entire region and beyond, and enriching the cultural offering of the capital.

Also present at the conference was the Minister of Culture, Sedat Sulejmani, alongside the two well-known opera artists, Inva Mula and Dëshira Ahmeti.