Cultural Diplomacy Forum – Skopje 2026

“From Crossroads to Connections: Cultural Diplomacy and the Future of Global Dialogue”

(Skopje, May 27–28th, 2026)
May 27, 2026 (Wednesday)
Over the day ARRIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL GUESTS
(TBC - possibility for sightseeing of Skopje)
18:40 Departure from the Hotel to the Cabinet of President (10-minute drive)
19:00 WELCOME RECEPTION & COCKTAIL
“Leadership and Culture as Bridges Between Civilizations”
Host: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova
Welcome Address by: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova
Dress Code: formal
Venue: Cabinet of the President, Vila Vodno
20:30 Departure from the Cabinet of President to the Hotel (10-minute drive)
May 28, 2026 (Thursday)
10:00-10:30 ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
Venue: Main Entrance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
10:00 Departure of the international guests from the Hotel to the Ministry (15-minute walk)
10:30-12:00 OPENING SESSION & PANEL DISCUSSION
“250 Years Later: Democracy, Cultural Power, and the Importance of Global Dialogue in a Changing World”
Host: Timcho Mucunski, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Opening Remarks: Ivan Ivanov, Chairman of the Executive Board, ICAC
Speakers/Panelists:
  • Timcho Mucunski, Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
  • Nicole Varnes, Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy
  • Gjorge Ivanov, President of the Republic of Macedonia 2009-2019
  • Mark Donfried, Director, Institute for Cultural Diplomacy
  • Duke Bojadziev, Macedonian composer, record producer and pianist
Moderator: Vasko Naumovski, former Macedonian Ambassador to the USA
Venue: Ceremonial Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
12:00-12:30 COFFEE & NETWORKING
Venue: Foyer, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
12:30 Departure of the international guests from the Ministry to the Assembly (10-minute walk)
13:00-14:30 SESSION 2 - SPEECHES / PANEL DISCUSSION
“The Role of Democratic Institutions in Cultural Dialogue: From Representation to Cohesion”
Host: Afrim Gashi, President of the Assembly
Opening Speech: Afrim Gashi, President of the Assembly
Opening Remarks: Gjorge Ivanov, President of the Republic of Macedonia 2009-2019
Speakers/Panelists:
  • Jovan Subotić, Member of the Parliament of Montenegro
  • Andreja Rihter, Director of the Forum of Slavic Cultures, Minister of Culture of Slovenia 2000–2004
  • Davor Filipović, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Croatia 2022–2023
  • Katalin Annamária Bogyay, President of UNESCO Hungarian National Commission and UN Association of Hungary; Former UNESCO and UN Ambassador of Hungary; President of UNESCO 36th General Conference
  • Hedva Ser, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Diplomacy
  • Stanko Blagojević, Acting Assistant Minister for International Relations and European Integration of the Republic of Serbia in the Field of Culture
  • Velika Stojkova Serafimovska, Member of the Parliament
  • Bejdjan Iljas, Member of the Parliament
  • Member of the Parliament
Venue: Constitutional Committee Hall, Assembly
14:30-15:30 BUFFET LUNCHEONVenue: Minor Reception Hall, Assembly
15:30 Departure of the international guests from the Assembly to the Hotel (10-minute walk)
15:40-19:00 Free time / possibility for sightseeing
17:45 Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and ICAC
Venue: Museum of the City of Skopje
18:00-19:30 SESSION 3 - SPEECHES / PANEL DISCUSSION
“Vision for the Future: Skopje 2028 and the Power of Creativity”
Host: Zoran Ljutkov, Minister of Culture and Tourism
Opening Remarks: Zoran Ljutkov, Minister of Culture and Tourism; Orce Gjorgjievski, Mayor of the City of Skopje
Speakers/Panelists:
  • Dejan Projkovski, Macedonian theatre director
  • Risima Risimkin, Macedonian ballerina, choreographer, artistic director of Skopje Dance Theater
  • Bratislav Dimitrov, Macedonian writer and playwright
  • Gere Tripkov, President of the Association “Equality”
  • Ana Durlovski, Opera singer, principal artist at the Macedonian Opera and Ballet
Moderator: Aleksandra Jurukovska, literary critic, author, journalist, and promoter of cultureVenue: Museum of the City of Skopje
19:00 Departure of the international guests from the Hotel to the Museum of the City of Skopje (10-minute walk and possibility for a brief tour of the Museum)
19:30-22:00 COCKTAIL & CLOSING PARTY
(Music: band Soul Session feat. Kalina)Toast by organizers
Venue: Garden, Museum of the City of Skopje
May 29, 2026 (Friday)
Over the day DEPARTURE OF INTERNATIONAL GUESTS