Following a successful meeting with the Macedonian Ministry of Culture and Tourism at the end of July, we have organised a ministerial visit to Liverpool for Minister Zoran Ljutkov and Jovana Gjorgjeska Kuzmanovska, Advisor to the Head of European Integrations, to connect with and find out more about Liverpool’s exemplary practices in the creative economy.
Liverpool has demonstrated how culture and tourism can transform a city’s image and significantly contribute to its local economy. The city’s success in hosting large-scale cultural events, such as the European Capital of Culture in 2008 and the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023, serves as an inspiration for Skopje, which is preparing to take on the role of European Capital of Culture in 2028.
The British Council is committed to supporting North Macedonia in this endeavour by facilitating connections with relevant cultural and government institutions in Liverpool. These include Culture Liverpool, Liverpool Music City, Liverpool Arts & Participation, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, and the Liverpool City Region Mayor’s Office. The visit is organized in collaboration with Curated Place, a UK arts-led production agency with extensive experience in creative economy projects in the Western Balkans.
This visit underscores the British Council’s dedication to fostering international cultural exchange and supporting North Macedonia’s cultural and economic development. By learning from Liverpool’s successes, North Macedonian officials aim to implement innovative cultural strategies that will benefit their own communities and contribute to the country’s growth as a cultural hub in Europe.