Friday, 6 July 2012The President Veljanoski opened the 51th Balkan Festival of Folk Songs and Dance 
Distinguished Members of the Assembly
Your Excellences,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Distinguished participants,
Dear friends
It is my sincere pleasure to be here today, and even more pleased by the fact that in the past few years we have been marking the opening of the Balkan Festival of Traditional Song and Dance together, especially considering the long tradition, continuity and importance of this Festival. I am pleased by the fact that the Balkan Festival of Traditional Song and Dance is an event that is recognized not in Ohrid and in Macedonia alone, but also abroad; this event receives special attention and respect.
Distinguished,
The Macedonian nation, through its long and rich history, often in unpleasant conditions and circumstances, tended, persevered and managed to preserve its folklore, traditional songs and dance, customs and tradition and passed them to the future generations.
As a state and as individuals, we should keep our path of perseverance and maintenance of the folklore, tradition and cultural characteristics which confirm our existence in the European culture, as well as in the overall civilization and cultural heritage.
It is worthy to mention the civilization values of the Macedonian nation, regarding the openness and the respect, not only of its own tradition, but also, the folklore and the tradition of the neighbors and other nations, as well as the respect and recognition of the different cultural characteristics.
The Balkan Festival of Traditional Song and Dance is a proof of this openness and respect for the others, for the different, dedicated to cherishing and improving the values that are important for every nation.
Allow me to underline my appreciation to the organizer of this event, the National Institution Centre of Culture “Gligor Prlichev”, which assisted by the Ministry of Culture, promotes the Macedonian cultural values and presents the Macedonian folklore through the Balkan Festival of Traditional Song and Dance, and in the same time promotes and demonstrates the Macedonian hospitality to everyone that cherish these everlasting values.
The national dance and song, as part of the overall spiritual heritage of one nation, are an important subject of the national and the cultural identity of every nation, resistant to the time, state boundaries and the daily political issues. In this context and to mutual pleasure, this year the Balkan Festival of Traditional Song and Dance is a host to ensembles and folklore groups from Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Croatia, Turkey, Austria and Poland.
I wish our guests pleasant stay in the Republic of Macedonia, and to bring home good memories and impressions.
Distinguished,
Allow me to declare that the 51st Balkan Festival of Traditional Song and Dance is open.
Thank you.