About

By serving as a bridge between Middle Eastern traditions and North Macedonia’s multicultural society, Arabesque contributes to a deeper understanding of shared human values. Through a wide array of
artistic, educational, and community-based initiatives, the center highlights the transformative power of culture as a resource for sustainable development and mutual respect. Its mission underscores the importance of dialogue and collaboration in building a cohesive and inclusive society.من خلال العمل كجسر بين التقاليد الشرق أوسطية والمجتمع المتعدد الثقافات في شمال مقدونيا، يساهم مركز أرابيسك في فهم أعمق للقيم الإنسانية المشتركة. ومن خلال مجموعة واسعة من المبادرات الفنية والتعليمية والمجتمعية، يسلط المركز الضوء على القوة التحويلية للثقافة كمورد للتنمية المستدامة والاحترام المتبادل. وتؤكد مهمته على أهمية الحوار والتعاون في بناء مجتمع متماسك وشامل.Arabesque Departments:• Department for Language
• Department for Culture
• Department for Research

Mission

To celebrate and promote the cultural and artistic heritage of the Middle East in North Macedonia, fostering tolerance, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding through diverse educational and community-focused initiatives.الاحتفال بالتراث الثقافي والفني للشرق الأوسط وتعزيزه في شمال مقدونيا، وتعزيز التسامح والإدماج والتفاهم بين الثقافات من خلال مبادرات تعليمية متنوعة وموجهة نحو المجتمع.

Vision

To become a leading cultural hub that bridges Middle Eastern and North Macedonian communities, enriching societal harmony and strengthening global cultural connections through collaboration and innovation.أن نصبح مركزًا ثقافيًا رائدًا يربط بين مجتمعات الشرق الأوسط وشمال مقدونيا، ويثري الانسجام المجتمعي ويعزز الروابط الثقافية العالمية من خلال التعاون والابتكار.

OUR TEAM

Zlatko Stevkovski - Exexutive Director and co-founder of Arabesque. Zlatko completed his education in the fields of sociology and communication, but his professional career has been primarily dedicated to the arts and culture. He has made significant contributions to the promotion and development of Macedonian arts, music, and cultural heritage.
Serving as the General Manager of the Cultural Information Center in Skopje he played a pivotal role in attracting international artists and preserving Macedonia’s rich artistic traditions. Stevkovski's work in the arts continued at the Macedonian Cultural Center (MKC), where he focused on revitalizing and modernizing the institution. As General Manager of MKC for many years, Stevkovski oversaw a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines, including music, film, theater, and the visual arts. Notably, he collaborated closely with Bernd Buder, the program director of the Berlinale, in managing the Cinedays Film Festival. He also played a key role in bringing prominent theater ensembles and directors from across Europe to Macedonia. In addition to his leadership at MKC he founded several new festivals focused on promoting the music of younger generations. Stevkovski’s commitment to the arts is particularly evident in his efforts to support Macedonian painters, organizing numerous exhibitions of the country’s most celebrated artists. Through his extensive work in the cultural sector, he has made a lasting impact on the promotion and development of Macedonian arts and culture, both within the country and internationally.

Maja Chanakjevikj, a distinguished oboist and English horn player, music expert and cultural manager with a educational and professional background. She graduated UKIM-Faculty of Music in Skopje and pursued advanced studies in arts and culture management and music. With numerous awards and performances across EU, the USA and beyond, she has been a member of various Ensambles like Consonance Chamber Ensamble, FAMES orchestra etc. Her cultural management expertise includes the role at Jeunesse Musicales, the Ohrid Summer Festival, many different projects as well as the role of leading the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra from 2007-2017, a General and Artistic Director. Since 2022 she is also working as an Artistic Director of Fames European Orchestral Performing Institute.
For her contribution she has received prestigious awards including France’s Chevalier des Arts et des Letters and Polish Gloria Artist Medal. Alongside with her engagement in the Macedonian Philharmonic Orchestra she continues her artistic work on promotion of the music written for English Horn.

Maja Sedrak, co-founder of the Arabesque Association, is a cultural expert dedicated to promoting Middle Eastern art in North Macedonia. With degrees in Music and Music Science, she has over two decades of experience shaping cultural policy, decentralizing culture, and managing high-profile projects like the Biennial of Young Artists and the World Conference on Interreligious Dialogue. Her work extends internationally, fostering collaborations with Europe and China, including representing Macedonia at the Silk Road conference in 2016. Sedrak has served as a cultural advisor to the government, advocating innovative policies and global partnerships. Her leadership continues to elevate Macedonian culture on the international stage.

Rabi Sédrak - co-founder of Arabesque, is a consultant for governmental reforms, with over 15 years of experience in governmental reforms consultancy in Europe and MENA region. Over the past 10 years, he managed and participated in the implementation of over 20 governmental reforms projects in Serbia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Moldova, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Kuwait.

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