The Small Montmartre

If I am proud of something in my city, it is The Small Montmartre of Bitola (and I am proud of many things). It is a children’s art festival that is organized by Art Studio “Kiril and Metodij". The studio has existed since 1981. In the beginning, the festival was more regional and was called Bitola.
Since 1992, the festival has become international. And then the magic began. In these 30 years, more than half a million children's works have arrived at the studio as part of the competition for participation from more than 45 countries. And believe me, those works do not look like what you first think of when you say children's.
Every time I see them drawing and painting on the street, I am filled with delight and a little envy.
Some of the works are exhibited in Bitola Hospital, in schools and other institutions.

The historic house in the old bazaar is the center of this studio.

While the children are drawing, the older people carefully supervise and entertain them. :)

"The Small Montmartre of Bitola is a true festive of colours, art panels and paintbrushes, world youth... Bitola's manifestation will remain to be the world art workshop, which participants, besides the creating of art masterpieces in all art techniques, create their own world of friendships announcing the messages of peace worldwide."(This is from the Small Montmartre of Bitola website where you can read and see more)
I only hope that the festival will continue for many more years despite the problems that have arisen.

Its founder and ideologist is Mr Kosta Hadzi Antonovski who died in 2021.

All photos are mine.