Gjorgje David apologises after calling Macedonian song 'old Bulgarian'
The Stars of Grand judge said he had heard the tune in Bulgaria, apologised to the song's authors and thanked Macedonian listeners for correcting him.
Gjorgje David publicly apologised after calling a celebrated Macedonian song an "old Bulgarian" piece during the TV music show Stars of Grand. The Serbian rocker said he had been mistaken and thanked Macedonian listeners who corrected him about the song's authorship.
David posted on social media that he first heard the song in Bulgaria and had believed it was an adaptation of a Bulgarian tune. He singled out authors Mile and Gjorgje Barbarovski in his apology, saying he was wrong about the song's origin.
From on-air slip to a public sorry
In his address David translated his regret into a series of direct acknowledgements. He told Macedonian audiences he is grateful to those who wrote to him and explained the correct facts, and offered an apology to the Barbarovski brothers for his earlier claim. "Anyone can make a mistake," he said.
David added that he first encountered the melody while in Bulgaria and did not know it was a Macedonian composition. He thanked everyone who alerted him to the true authorship and described the correction as important.
The episode reopened discussion about cross-border cultural sensitivities after a similar controversy last year, when singer Svetlana "Ceca" Ražnatović wrapped herself in a Bulgarian flag during a concert in Veles and caused a storm of reactions. Ceca later said she had not intended to offend anyone and apologised for the misunderstanding.
Photo: press material from the event
