The Albanian anthem was not played in Pustec during Mickoski’s visit; mayor explains: The municipality was not the organizer

The Macedonian Folklore Festival was held yesterday in the Municipality of Pustec, and the Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Hristijan Mickoski, was also in attendance.

During the ceremony, only the anthem of North Macedonia was played, while the Albanian anthem was not included in the program.

The Mayor of Pustec, Pali Kolefski, apologized for the situation and stated that the institution he heads had not organized the event, but had merely been invited.

Kolefski said that, before the festival took place, he had asked the organizers—specifically, the chairman of the VMRO association in Albania—for the official program of the ceremony. According to him, the response was that the event would feature traditional Macedonian songs and dances and would begin with the Macedonian anthem.

“To tell the truth, before this event took place, I asked the organizers, specifically the chairman of the VMRO association in Albania, for the official program. I was told that there would be traditional Macedonian songs and dances and that the event would open with the Macedonian anthem,” he said.

The mayor added that he had requested that the Albanian anthem also be played alongside the Macedonian anthem, stressing that this is essential at every official reception or ceremony. “We are Albanian citizens, we live here, and the anthem must be respected,” Kolefski declared.