Minister of Culture Bisera Kostadinovska Stojchevska announced plans to revitalize a former movie theater in Bitola, aiming to transform it into a contemporary cultural hub that will invigorate the local cultural scene.

The Partisan movie theater, a relic from the former Yugoslavia era and once a cornerstone of Bitola’s film culture, ceased operations alongside two other cinemas in the 1990s. Kostadinovska Stojchevska, a Bitola native, revealed in an interview with Bitola YouTuber Mimi Markovski, known for the “Yugo” series, that the renovation project is set to commence this year.

The Ministry of Culture confirmed that the state has greenlit the comprehensive restoration plans and allocated funding for the venue’s complete rehabilitation in 2023.

The refurbished space aims to serve as a multifunctional center, hosting concerts, art exhibitions, theater performances, and various cultural events. Moreover, the establishment of this new cultural center is expected to generate employment opportunities for the local community.