CULTURAL-ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES

 

A significant contribution to the development of culture in Bitola is given by numerous cultural associations, societies, clubs, units etc. All these organized social activities and civil initiatives, which belong to the scope of cultural activities, used to bear different names in different period of the development of our country: AGITROP, cultural-artistic self-activities, cultural amateurism. Basically, they were different aspects of interest for voluntary organization and gathering of citizens in order to fulfill their cultural life. Their basic feature of presentation and consumption of cultural values was mass involvement. If it is taken into consideration that for the development of each human activity the quantity has significant meaning, because without it there is no quality, i.e. top achievements in the spiritual sphere as well, then all these mass and group forms of spiritual engagement have a special place in the cultural development of the city. Even very famous professional organizations and institutions, as well as topmost artists, grew up through these forms of cultural activity.

 They appeared to be quite numerous in Bitola. Among the most numerous were cultural-artistic societies such as: “Ilinden”, “Stiv Naumov”, “Dame Gruev”, “Aleksandar Turungev”, “Goce Delcev”, “Bitola”, “Ternipe”, “Manaki Brothers” etc. Most of them are directed towards nourishing and presentation of Macedonian folklore and the folklore of the nationalities, as well as other nations in the world. Usually these more developed associations have more forms of work, ensembles, sections, groups (folklore, theatre, modern ballet, folk and pop music, literature etc). Some of them are exclusively involved with classical, choir, pop or other kind of music (CAS “Stiv Naumov”).

The other forms of activity are in a similar position: Writers’ Club “Stale Popov”, Cinema-club “Milton Manaki”, then the Society of painters, Society of music activists, Writers’ Society of Macedonia (members form Bitola), Bitola Chamber Orchestra, bleh-orchestra etc. Also, different vocal-instrumental groups and music bands should be mentioned: “Bitola Consuls”, “Bohemians”, “Pelagonia Pearls” etc.

The new social notions regarding the way of organization and financing of all these activities have significant meaning for the development and popularization of elite and mass culture. Certain individuals and firms saw economic interest in spiritual presentation and creation. The modern marketing and management found their place in this sphere of life of our people as well. It showed up that creating cultural values could be in function of market economy and obtain profit through them. This tendency is still being developed. Thus new attitudes towards what is elite and what is mass culture appeared. The cultural living of consumers, in the time that is to come, urges the need for redefining and practical approach toward this part of the intellectual sphere. The trend of modern Maecenas and sponsors is glowingly present in Bitola culture especially in cultural and artistic activities. Anyway, cultural and artistic activities represent an inseparable unity from the abundant cultural life of Bitola.