The epithets such as the most abundant, the most various, the longest and, according to many authorized marks, one of the most qualitative cultural manifestation of international character which is held in Macedonia, characterize Skopje Summer. This manifestation has even received an acknowledgement of its reputation outside the Macedonian borders which is verified by the membership of the International Festivals & Events Association - IFEA. The first idea for providing unceasing cultural life during the summer months, which was established for the first time in 1980 when this manifestation was held for the first time, has evolved into the creation of Skopje Summer as a ”season out of season”. The conception of the manifestation, which includes music concerts, opera, ballet and drama performances, imitative and photo exhibitions, film programme, performances and multimedia projects, together with its own production of projects and numerous guests from abroad make the Skopje Summer a unique and unequalled cultural experience. Macedonian artists, who have laid the foundations of Skopje Summer, now represent the base that provides further qualitative development of the programme including foreign guests whose number, is increasing each year. Therefore, Skopje always remains an open city for the spiritually eager, the authors and the artists coming from all the meridians in the world. Skopje, as an open city for art and culture, has been a host to the guests from all over the world such as the guests from the neighbouring countries: Albania, Greece, Serbia and Montenegro and those who come from different places in Europe: Croatia, Slovenia, Turkey, Austria, Germany, France, Great Britain, Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, as well as from the overseas countries: USA, Canada, Australia, Venezuela, Argentina, Malaysia, Japan, India, Iran, Algeria, Egypt and etc. Each year, from 21July, the first summer day and the World Day of Music, the curtains of Skopje Summer are raised at thirty different places-scenes.

Up to 31 July, when this manifestation ends, the open stages at the Fortress Kale, the Old Bazaar, Kurshumli An, Suli An, the Quay of the River Vardar, the City Park and the saloons of the theatre and art galleries in Skopje pulse in the rhythm of the spirituality. About two thousand participants attract the citizens of Skopje, the guests in Skopje, all those people who live and work temporarily in the capital city of Macedonia or are just passers- by in the auditoriums.