Suzana Mančić makes her Ohrid Fest debut as she celebrates 50 years

Veteran Balkan star Suzana Mančić arrives in Ohrid this summer to mark half a century on stage with her first-ever performance at Ohrid Fest.

Special guest at the 33rd edition

Mančić, who celebrates 50 years of a public career that includes hit records, television shows and acting roles, will appear as a special guest on the international evening of the 33rd Ohrid Fest – Ohrid Troubadours. She is set to perform a duet she recorded with Gjole Boem, written by Macedonian composer Grigor Koprov.

“I have been to North Macedonia countless times, but this is my first visit to Ohrid Fest and I am really very happy because of that. We have already recorded the song, and my colleague keeps asking me whether I am rehearsing it. He does not know who he is dealing with – once I learn something, it stays learned,” Mančić says with a laugh.

Ohrid has long held a place in her memories: school trips, concerts, visits and summer holidays with her daughters. “I have been to Ohrid countless times. My daughters still remember the words ‘thank you’ and ‘what is your name?’, which they learned then and still say with a smile,” she adds.

Mančić has gathered many of those moments into two autobiographical books, which she says have not yet been translated into Macedonian. Offstage she promises to enjoy local highlights — meeting old and new colleagues, a short boat ride on the lake and “a sparkling Ohrid pearl.”

She also addressed younger musicians directly: “Persistence. And only persistence. Popularity is a perishable commodity — today you are a star, tomorrow you are nowhere. That is why you need intelligence, careful choice of songs and collaborators, professionalism and constant work on yourself.”

And a personal milestone came days before the festival visit: Mančić became a grandmother for the first time. “I had big nerves, bigger than when I gave birth. When they told me that both the baby and the mother are well, I felt immense joy and pride. My Teodora became a mother,” she says emotionally.

She closed with a message to the Macedonian audience: “I hope the Macedonian audience has not forgotten me, and if they have — we will have a chance to meet again. Big greetings to everyone! I look forward to seeing you and singing together!”

Photo: press material from the event