Ministers, government officials, local government representatives, diplomats, teachers, police officers, children and bicycle lovers supported the initiative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and refreshed the bicycle memory and tradition of Skopje. Through the whole-day event which took place on 29 April, the Netherlands has successfully “transplanted” the Dutch bicycle experience and image and presented this means of transport as a modern, efficient, healthy, environmentally-friendly and optimal way of getting anywhere and anytime in the beautiful but crowded City of Skopje. 

Around 200 people gathered in front of the  ProCredit Bank to mark the start of the construction of the bicycle lane which will connect this part of Aerodrom with the Municipality of Centar. After the symbolic marking of the future lane by the Ambassador Simone Filippini, the participants “conquered” it with a bike parade to the Makedonija City Square. This was also the location where the day event took place, which attracted a lot of attention by the citizens and the media. Everyone enjoyed the open-air exhibition, orange drinks, food and music. The audience had the opportunity to see for the first time the ten bicycle-inspired sculptures developed by eminent Macedonian artists, eight projects prepared by eight primary schools from Skopje and the three winners of the “Busicycle” public call for bicycle in business organised by the  Macedonian Enterprise Development Foundation and the Embassy as well as a bike virtuosos show organised by "One Way" - Busker Fest Skopje.

The day event was crowned with a mobile exhibition and an artistic bike parade towards the Museum of the City of Skopje where the official part of the celebration, followed by an after-party, took place. All guests participated in the lottery organised by the Embassy, while the luckiest 10 won a bicycle. The “orange day” in Skopje ended with an excellent performance by R’n’C Band and Foltin, but the orange initiative continues… Refresh yourself!

Click here to see the list of institutions and companies that supported this event.

Here is a list of artists and schools that took part.

Links to media articles:

 http://www.vreme.com.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=1&EditionID=1382&ArticleID=89822

 http://www.kirilica.com.mk/vest.asp?id=5312

 http://www.macedonium.org/Macedonium.aspx?jazik=2&kid=8&pid=28&ppid=90&tid=1358

 http://www.sitel.com.mk/vesti_det.asp?ID=25797&kategorija=%D0%9C%D0%B0%D0%BA%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%98%D0%B0

 http://www.utrinski.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=3971C21246DC6242A2ABE06D5E95DAF2

 http://www.dnevnik.com.mk/?itemID=4CD72D9B4C0E474ABCD35D7631EF59B1&arc=1

 http://www.skopje.gov.mk/ShowAnnouncements.aspx?ItemID=1781&mid=24&tabId=1&tabindex=0
 http://kurir.com.mk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=661:velosipedski-hepening&catid=46:makedonija&Itemid=72
 http://www.mia.com.mk/portal/page?_pageid=113,160569&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&prikaz=24&VestID=43646040&cat=6
 http://alsat-m.tv/mk/feed.php?news=267&output_type=txt

To read more on this initiative, go here.