In an extensive briefing, Government and State Lottery representatives today detailed the organization of the celebrations for Macedonia’s Independence Day, including the performance by David Guetta that was attended by tens of thousands.

Lottery director Aleksandar Klimovski said that the company funded the events as part of their cultural programs. This confirms earlier comments from Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski that funds from the state budget were not used for the events.

Now that all information regarding the project to celebrate 35 years of independence has been revealed — and the facts show there is nothing controversial or illegal about it – SDS, Venko Filipche, and their controlled media mouthpieces owe the public an apology for lying to them. Ultimately, it has become clear that Venko Filipche and SDS are opposed to independence and act as an anti-Macedonian force. They are ashamed at the very thought of a proud and happy people, said VMRO-DPMNE in a statement, responding to accusations from the opposition SDSM party, that has been criticizing the organization of the celebrations that included dozens of major domestic stars, as well as tenor Jose Carreras.

Here, one can see their utter impotence and how they serve foreign interests: in one breath, Venko rails against a perceived “Serbian consciousness,” while in the next, he fights to defend and promote “turbo-folk” music. That is why he identifies himself with the very dregs that are destined for defeat, VMRO added in a statement.