Mickoski says celebrations for 35 years of independence cost the budget zero denars

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said he had “bad” news for those who doubted the cost of the national celebrations: the concerts and events staged for the 35th anniversary of independence, he insisted, cost the state budget exactly zero denars.

Mickoski told reporters that the country enjoyed a "historic summer" featuring internationally known music acts in several cities, and that the entire organization was funded by socially responsible companies — though he did not name the firms involved.

Events, funding and an open-check invitation

The prime minister invited anyone who is interested to check the "Open Finance" platform, saying the records there will show no public money was spent on those events. He argued the announcement should be unwelcome news for those he accused of spreading speculation and falsehoods.

Listing the summer programme, officials said the season began with Steve Aoki in Bitola on August 2, followed by the "Silno svetnal den" caravan across 13 towns, appearances by Paul Oakenfold and Paul van Dyk and rock shows in Strumica, a José Carreras concert with Macedonian stars in Skopje, and culminated with David Guetta’s concert at the City Stadium attended by roughly 50,000 people.

Turning to his critics, Mickoski said: "I regret that in some individuals Freud is at work, that they think as they would do, that someone else does the same. But this is a responsible government, a pro‑Macedonian government that cares for citizens and every dinar of budgetary funds is spent in a transparent way."

Questions about how much the David Guetta show cost have been prominent in recent days. The owner of Avalon Production, the organiser of the multi‑week music programme, was asked on Monday why the contract sum has not been published and whether the agreement contains a clause that prevents disclosure. The owner replied bluntly to a reporter: "Do I look like an idiot? I said what the press conference is about; do you have to ask the question in the context of the press?"

Earlier, on May 27 this year, government spokesperson Maria Miteva told reporters the government had nothing to hide about the organisation and that it would publish details once announcements for all staged events were complete. "Our transparency, as it has been until now, will be from now on, and believe that as a government we will consistently inform about all details. As announced by the organiser at the first press conference, there are some contractual clauses we are not able to speak about now, but give us time to publish all events and we will immediately inform the public for all details," Miteva said at the time.

Photo: press material from the event