Independence Anniversary Events Cost €5.53M — Lottery Money, Government Says, Not Budget
The State Lottery covered 300 million denars via undistributed 2024 profit; companies added another 40 million denars.
The State Lottery spent 300 million denars — nearly €5 million — sponsoring events marking North Macedonia's 35th independence anniversary. Private companies contributed another 40 million denars, bringing the total to roughly €5.53 million.
The government ordered the Lottery in April to direct its undistributed 2024 profit toward sponsoring the celebrations. Government spokesperson Marija Miteva insists this is not budget money, arguing that funds only become state money once the Lottery's management formally pays them out as dividends to the state as owner — which did not happen here.
A Single Bidder, and a Deadline to Account for It
Lottery director Aleksandar Klimovski says a public call for a sponsorship contractor drew a single bidder — Avalon, through its company Stardust — which signed a 300-million-denar sponsorship agreement. Avalon has until September 30 to submit a full financial accounting of the spending. Events ran through August and September, from Steve Aoki in Bitola to Paul van Dyk and Paul Oakenfold in Strumica, José Carreras in Skopje, and a run of concerts by Macedonian artists culminating in David Guetta's Skopje stadium show.
MKNews Hub · Economy · September 11, 2026
