In order to prevent the virus’ further spreading, all cinemas, theaters, museums and other institutions where mass gatherings can occur, events, concerts and other cultural events were closed. During the quarantine, most of the artistic performances can be enjoyed from home via digital platforms and YouTube channels.
In North Macedonia, the theaters await for the green light and proposals from the authorities. For now, all activities are put on standby. The Macedonian National Theater (MNT) said it is waiting for government instructions.
“For us there is no lifting of the restrictions yet and because of that all activities in the theater are stopped” said MNT for Meta.mk.
The situation is the same with all theaters in Macedonia. The Turkish theater in Skopje said that their plans for the future regarding wheir work will be adjusted to the Government’s decisions.
The acting Director of the Albanian Theater Skopje, Ilber Murtezi said that they are also awaiting for a response from the Government, but that he would suggest an open air theater.
“I already proposed to our ensemble, during a pandemic, all plays that can be adapted and to be played on open air ie.. at the Kale fortress or in Chair” said Murtezi.
Theater Komedija has a similar idea. They are discussing ways of playing the performances and are already having a draft action plan, but without protocols, it will not be able to be put into action or to be adapted.
The Drama Theater fro Skopje stated that it has no plans to stage its repertoire on open air. They stress that open air theater is a problematic endeavor which has to have clear and precise instructions by the Committee for Infectious Diseases for staging open air events.
Ivan Jerchikj, a Director of the National Theater in Bitola says that everything depends on directions and recommendations provided by the authorities.
Even though there is no official cancellation, but with certainty the Bitola Shakespeare Festival will be postponed. The festival was supposed to be organized by end of June.
