Galetanovski rebukes Avramov after Guetta–Stajkovci comparison
The exchange reignited public debate about the 340 million denar cost of the 35th-anniversary celebrations in Skopje.
Gjorgji Galetanovski reacted strongly on social media after a remark by Boban Avramov about the organization of the large David Guetta concert in Skopje, which formed part of the 35th-anniversary celebrations of independence.
Avramov was quoted saying: "What we did with Guetta in Skopje is the same as organizing a Formula 1 race in Stajkovci."
Galetanovski answered sharply, criticizing what he called an arrogant tone in Avramov’s comment and the way Stajkovci was mentioned.
"With this arrogance you are far from being a Skopje resident. And tone it down, the Lottery paid with 340 million denars of the people's money, you did nothing but humiliate everyone, and even from Stajkovci they are gentry compared to you," Galetanovski wrote on Facebook.
Costs and funding that sparked the debate
The reaction comes amid a heated public debate over the expenses for the 35-year independence celebrations, whose centerpiece was the David Guetta concert at the Todor Proeski National Arena.
According to information the Government released on September 10, the entire celebration programme cost 340 million denars, roughly 5.53 million euros. Of that sum, 300 million denars came from the unallocated profit of the State Lottery for 2024, while the remaining approximately 40 million denars were covered by company donations.
The Government has stressed that Lottery funds were not taken directly from the state budget but represented unallocated profit of the company for 2024. The State Lottery is fully state-owned.
Public reaction to the concert and the broader festivities was split. Some welcomed a major international music event in Skopje, while others raised questions about the size and source of the funds, transparency of spending and priorities. After publication of the financial details the discussion intensified on social networks, and Galetanovski’s post added a new angle by highlighting how the comparison affected residents of Stajkovci.
Photo: press material from the event
