This year the Embassy introduced a new concept for celebrating QBP, organising two separate events.

The first QBP event was organised in the National gallery Daut Pashin Amam, to mark the successful cooperation with our official contacts. Guests included the Prime Minister Mr. Nikola Gruevski, the Parliament Speaker Trajko Veljanovski, Ministers, MPs, government officials and other Embassy contacts including business, civil society and media.

The programme started with a concert by four of Simon Trpcevski's students: Edita Haxhi Hamza, Kliment Totoroski, Ana Arangelova, Dusko Icev and Alea band. Ambassador Andrew Key, the Deputy Head of Mission and Defence attaché and their spouses welcomed guests at the entrance of the gallery. The guests were able to enjoy a tour around the gallery, escorted by volunteers from the youth network Blue Sky dressed in Victorian costumes.

The event also included a performance by the children's choir Lale, who sang the British national anthem as well as four traditional sons from England, Scotland, Wells and Northern Ireland. Opera singer Dusko Cuckovski sang the Macedonian national anthem, followed by a speech by Ambassador Key ending with a toast to the Queen.

The second QBP party was a more of an informal event for the British community in Macedonia, at the newly opened Dubliner's Pub. Guests were entertained by music performances by the Day Off band and DJ Dela. A raffle was held, with prizes including a weekend for two in Radika Hotel in Mavrovo provided by HRG Macedonia, a weekend in Ohrid at Vila Germanoff, a massage pack by Aseana Spa center, a set of art books from Tree book store and a hamper of British products. The new edition of the Lonely Planet Western Balkans Guide was also a prize, signed by author Christopher Deliso. This second edition of this book has updated information, new photos, and increased number of pages about Macedonia covering more places than ever.

Now a tradition in Skopje, fish & chips and sausage rolls were served at both events.

Several sponsors helped organised this year's QBP events. The list included: Tikves Winery; Pivara Skopje; Denmak; Alkaloid; Johnson Matthey; DataPons; Digital Centar; City radio and Macedonian Opera and Ballet.

We thank them all.

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