Bitola ECHO Academy

Info Pack
Dear music artists,

It will be a pleasure for us at SFERA International to welcome you to the Bitola ECHO
Academy of the ECHO Academies project! With this info pack, we would like to facilitate your
travel and stay, help you prepare, and make you feel confident about your participation in the
academy.

About the ECHO Academies project

ECHO Academies (ECHOAc) is an arts project that aims to foster young and emerging
European talents in the fields of comics, fashion design, music, photography and architecture
by using heritage as a means and source of inspiration for artistic work.

Given the experience we gained from:

- ECHO: European Cultural Heritage Onstage,
- ECHO II: Traditions in Transition, and
- ECHO III: For Memory’s Sake,
This project tries to tackle the issues of visibility, networking, employability and opportunities
to enter the art market for new European talents. When it comes to the use of heritage as a
source of inspiration, it builds on the values of the European, glocal, and critical perceptions
of heritage.

About Sfera International (hosting organization)

The general goal of SFERA International is to educate the population in North Macedonia,
using different non-formal methods, about the protection of the environment and cultural and
natural heritage, with the purpose of raising awareness among all age groups about the
importance of a healthy lifestyle and the benefits that come with it.

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
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Over the past 15 years, SFERA International has been actively involved in youth-focused
initiatives spanning environmental protection, sports, art, and digital skills development. With
a track record of successfully executing over 100 projects locally and internationally, our efforts
are dedicated to fostering the personal and professional growth of young individuals.

We engage in diverse local activities, including environmental cleanups, art workshops,

educational programs, and cultural events. Our core objectives encompass environmental
preservation, sustainable practices, healthy lifestyles, youth leadership development, crisis
management education, non-formal education promotion, youth support systems
establishment, youth activism, and the promotion of values such as equality, tolerance,
democracy, and human rights among young people. Additionally, we actively support our
country's European integration process and provide vital free legal aid to vulnerable citizens.

About the Bitola ECHO Academy

The 10 selected artists that will join the ECHO academy in Bitola will research the ritual
songs heritage of the Bitola region and in specific songs about the calendar cycle, life
cycle, pagan holidays, and other traditional holidays. Bitola has a rich music tradition (both
on traditional and modern/contemporary music) like the rest of North Macedonia and
Macedonia region. Macedonian traditional music includes rural and urban branches and
expressions and includes, among other, ritual songs. In addition, the “Hidrellez” Spring
celebration, the beginning of spring cultural practices, the “Glasoechko” singing and the
“Kopachkata” dance belong the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage list.

Awards and pilot project implementation

Artists will create, inspired by ritual songs of the Bitola region, producing either traditional or
modern/contemporary music. Artists will get to visit music historians, celebrations that
include traditional music, and will meet with fellow musicians from Bitola in order to
research and get inspiration for their work. In addition they will build capacities on issues
of applied art with sustainable and recyclable techniques.

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
2
At the end of the academy each artist needs to develop a concept for a music piece
inspired by the Macedonian ritual songs and by all the visits that will be organized in
the 3-week period in Bitola.
The top 3 artists will be funded with 2000 euros for recording their music piece.

Working/collaboration space
The Bitola ECHO Academy programme (see below) includes a few visits and guided tours
around Bitola and Skopje. But most of the activities will take place at the working/collaboration
space: Youth Center Bitola (str. Krushevo 5 Bitola) (map).

Sfera’s office is located at the same building, on the 2nd floor.

Programme
1st WEEK

Monday Travel day

18 Sept 2023
Late afternoon / early evening
20:00 Welcome dinner
Venue: Aurum Kitchen Bar
Todor Skalovski 8, Bitola 7000 (map)

Tuesday Morning session

19 Sept 2023 10:00 Getting to know each other
11:30 Coffee break
12:00 Presentation of:
- Sfera International
- ECHO projects
- Bitola ECHO Academy
- History of ritual songs in North Macedonia
Venue: Youth Center Bitola (str. Krushevo 5 Bitola) (map)

Afternoon session

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
3
 16:00 – 18:00 Mastercalls with Еthnochoreologist Mcs Ljupka
Stenovaska on ethnology and folk music of Bitola region songs
Venue: KUD – Ilinden, Bregalnichka bb. Bitola (map)

Wednesday Morning session

20 Sept 2023 10:00 – 13:00 Masterclass with University Professor Goran Angelov on
folk traditional instrument in North Macedonia
14:00 – 15:00 Mentoring sessions with Katerina Popovska for pilot
project ideas
Venue: Youth Center Bitola (str. Krushevo 5 Bitola) (map)

Afternoon session
Bitola city tour with a local guide (map)

Thursday Morning session

21 Sept 2023 10:00 – 13:00 Masterclass with University Professor Vera Miloshevska
Josifovska (Ljubojna bend) on traditional folk music and signing
Venue: Youth Center Bitola (str. Krushevo 5 Bitola) (map)

Afternoon session
16:00-19:00 Visiting local traditional village and woman band who signs
ritual songs
Venue: village Bukovo (map)

Friday Morning session

22 Sept 2023 10:00 – 13:00 Masterclass with University Professor Sasho Popovski
on world music and connection with traditions
Venue: Youth Center Bitola (str. Krushevo 5 Bitola) (map)

Afternoon session
16:00-18:00 Jaming session with Dragan Mikarovski (Kalabalak bend)
Venue: Porta jazz (map)

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
4
 Saturday Free day to create and/or explore Bitola
23 Sept 2023
Night session
21:00 Gig night ECHO Academy
Venue: Vezilka (map)

Sunday Free day to create and/or explore Bitola

24 Sept 2023

2nd WEEK

Monday All day visit in Skopje

25 Sept 2023
10:00 – 12:00 Folklore institute (map)
13:00 – 14:00 Faculty of music – Skopje (map)
Discussions with professors from the Faculty

15:00 Lunch

17:00 Free time to explore Skopje

Tuesday Morning session

26 Sept 2023 10:00-11:00 Marketability session by CUMEDIAE
Venue: Youth Center Bitola (str. Krushevo 5 Bitola)

11:00-11:30 Coffee break

11:30-17:00 20mins one-to-one consultations

with CUMEDIAE representatives
Full programme of the day TBA

Wednesday Free day to create and/or explore Bitola

27 Sept 2023

Thursday Working in studio

28 Sept 2023

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
5
 Friday Working in studio
30 Sept 2023

Saturday Working in studio

01 Oct 2023

Sunday Free day to create and/or explore Bitola

02 Oct 2023

3rd WEEK

Monday Free day to create and/or explore Bitola

03 Oct 2023

Tuesday Free day to create and/or explore Bitola

04 Oct 2023

Wednesday Free day to create and/or explore Bitola

05 Oct 2023

Thursday Free day to create and/or explore Bitola

06 Oct 2023

Friday Free day to create and/or explore Bitola

07 Oct 2023

Saturday Morning session

08 Oct 2023 Free morning to create and/or explore Bitola

Late afternoon / early evening

18:00-21:00 Award ceremony
16:30: Arrival at the venue
• to check and tackle any technical issues before the event.
18:00 - 19:30: Private pitching session

• No audience. Just the artists (10 in total), the judges and 2

SFERA team members assisting the process technically.
• 3 mins pitch each artist (30 mins total) - 5 mins Q&A session
each artist (50 mins total) - 10 mins buffer time for tackling
any technical issues

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
6
 • 3 Judges

Note about visual materials for pitches: Preferable to be in digital

format (e.g. powerpoint presentation), for screen sharing with the
digitally present judges.

19:15-19:30: Audience arrival

2 SFERA team members welcoming guests at the vanue.
Guests will be guided upstairs as soon as the private pitching session is
over.

19:30-20:45: Meeting with the artists

Networking and audience development opportunity.
Inter Alia team members will say a few words about the Academy, and
introduce the artists to the audience.
Then, the artists can share their experience at the academy, and
present their overall portfolio (either in print or in digital format).

20:45-21:00: Announcement of the winners by the jury committee

21:00-22:00: Dj set, Food and Drinks

Venue: Youth Center Bitola (str. Krushevo 5 Bitola)

Sunday Travel day

09 Oct 2023

Staying in Bitola

Transport from the Skopje International Airport to the City of

Bitola
Once you land at Skopje Airport you need to find a shuttle to reach Skopje.
You can find information about the bus transfer here.

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
7
Once you reach Skopje Central Bus station, you have to buy a ticket for Bitola at the counter.
Unfortunately, there is no option to buy a ticket online.

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
8
Accomodation
We are currently booking 2 different apartments around the center of Bitola where all of you
will stay. The apartments have a fully equipped kitchen where you will already find food for
cooking your own breakfast, and you can as well cook lunch and dinner at home if you prefer.
Once you arrive in Bitola, you will be picked up by one of our Sfera team members, who will
guide you to your apartment and show you to your rooms.

Weather
We are expecting good weather the first week while you will be in Bitola.
It will be quite warm and pleasant during the day, however the nights in Bitola can be a bit
cool, so please bring also some jacket and warmer clothes for the nights.

Health Insurance
Please, make sure to arrange your travel and health insurance before traveling. For those of
you that have an EU passport, see European Health Insurance Card.

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
9
Currency
The currency in North Macedonia is Denar. 1 Euro equals 61.56 Denars.
Payments everywhere in North Macedonia are accepted in Denars, and in some places in
Euro. It is best if you bring euros with you so you can exchange them with Denars once you
arrive. Payment with cards is also possible in almost every shop and entertainment place. But
for sure, it is good to also have cash with you.

Where to Eat and Drink

There are numerous options to eat and drink in Bitola, especially in Shirok Sokak. Here are
some suggestions where to eat:

Where What Cost

Bagetto €
Homemade food (canteen)
Dalmatinska, Bitola, North
Macedonia

Kus Kus Pizza Restaurant Mixed European Cuisine €€

Kiril I Metodij 2A, Bitola

Republic of Macedonia

Pub Bourbon Street Pizza, burgers and pub food €€

Pece Matichevski 17, Bitola

7000 Republic of North
Macedonia

Aurum Kitchen & Bar Mixed European Cuisine €€€

Todor Skalovski 8, Bitola

7000, North Macedonia

Premier Centar Traditional Macedonian Food €

Stiv Naumov 12, Bitola 7000,

North Macedonia

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
10
Explore Bitola
We will take you around Bitola during your stay and we will show you all the main places to
visit. However, if you wish to explore the city on your own you can find some suggestions here:
https://macedonia-timeless.com/chi/cities_and_regions/cities/bitola/

Preparation
Please, bring with you:
- Laptop and charger for work and personal use;
- Any material you might have and need for your work
- Fresh ideas about your creation;
- Personal cosmetics;
- Your medicine - specific medicine(s) in case you take one(s).

Remuneration
The accommodation and travel costs are covered by the ECHO Academies project within the
limits of its budget. A per diem amount will be offered for subsistence expenses. Expenses for
the materials needed for artistic creation will be covered up to a limited amount.

Sfera International will reimburse your travel costs from your home city to Bitola, North
Macedonia, and back within the limits of the project budget, taking also into consideration the
Distance Calculator of the European Union.
- Please use the economic class for your trip. Business or 1st class tickets cannot be
refunded.
- Reimbursement of travel costs will only be done upon full participation in the Bitola
ECHO Academy, and upon receipt of the original tickets and boarding passes. [Note:
Transfers by taxi will not be refunded.]
- Reimbursement will be done via bank transfers, after receiving all the original travel
documents by post (including your return ticket and boarding pass).

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
11
Important phone numbers and contacts
The dialing code for North Macedonia is +389.

Emergency Numbers
• Police 192
• Fire Department 193
• Ambulance 194
• AMSM - Road Service 196

Private Hospitals
• PZU Hospital Plodnost (Bitola) +389 47 208 880
• "Acibadem Sistina” Hospital (Skopje) +389 23 099 500

Other Important Numbers

• Skopje Intercity Bus Station +38922466313
• Skopje Alexander the Great Airport +38923148333
• Bitola Bus Station +389 47 231420; +389 76 436555

Sfera team contact info

Name Email Telephone

Milcho Duli milcho@sferainternational.org +389 71 369 679

Katerina Popovska katerina@sferainternational.org +389 75 333 688

Evgenija geram.evgenija@gmail.com +389 75 379870

Geramitchioska

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
12
Martin Mojanovski martinmojanovski@gmail.com +389 75 748 187

Sfera Office info@sferainternational.org +389 74 245 154

We remain at your disposal for any further information you may need.
We are looking forward to welcoming you to Bitola.
The Sfera team is excited to have you here!

The Bitola ECHO Academy is part of the ECHO Academies project (Project Number: 101100281),
which is co-funded by the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.
13