Bathed in the gracious light of the Paschal season and beneath the azure canopy of the May sky, the ancient Bigorski Monastery was once again transformed into a quiet, inspired artistic scene, thanks to the unique children’s art colony “Small Bitola Montmartre.” The Sanctuary of Saint John the Baptist, by the blessing of our Elder and Abbot, Bishop Parthenius of Antania, opened its gates wide to welcome a new generation of young artists from various parts of the world, who turned the monastery courtyard into a vibrant mosaic of colour, youthful joy, and cultural unity.
This artistic event was organized by the president of the international children’s art colony, Elena Hadzi-Antonovska, and the chairman of the Board of the Children’s Art Studio “St. Cyril and Methodius” – Bitola, Slavcho Nedelkovski.
As part of the 44th edition of this international art manifestation, Bigorski welcomed 150 guests – students, professors, and parents – representing 18 delegations from 17 countries: North Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, India, Israel, Malaysia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Russia, and two regions of Turkey – Trabzon and Kayseri. Although the delegations from China, Japan, Greece, and Portugal were justifiably absent this year, their spirit was felt through the exhibited works and the memories of their past participation.
On this beautiful artistic morning, the monastery courtyard came alive with hundreds of easels, brushes, and canvases, as the children – with their perceptive gaze and joyful hearts – sought to capture on canvas the spiritual beauty and architectural dignity of the Holy Monastery. Each painting bore the mark of an authentic experience, conveyed through colours and lines, shaped by the imagination of the young creators.
After several hours of devoted work and quiet inspiration, the jury selected the most outstanding creations. All the artworks, without exception, radiated their own unique beauty and originality, leaving a deep impression through the sincerity and freshness of the children’s expression. While not all could be awarded, every piece was experienced as a testimony to creativity and love for art. The winners of the day were:
Ayşenur Karadeniz, from Trabzon – Turkey
Markéta Hejlova, from Plzeň – Czech Republic
Meryam Arnautska, from Sofia – Bulgaria
Onur Mete Yüzük, from Kayseri – Turkey
Their works were distinguished for their originality, artistic maturity, and refined sense of space and form, with particular attention given to individual artistic growth and sensitivity to architectural themes.
Through this artistic gathering, the Bigorski Monastery once again affirmed its role not only as a spiritual refuge, but also as a beacon of cultural exchange, creativity, and fraternal love among peoples. The “Small Bitola Montmartre” colony at Bigorski is a place where young hearts ascend toward the light through the blessing of art.
