Author: Tatjana Pavlovska-Srceva

Music has the power to evoke laughter, fears, hopes, dreams, and even the highest aspirations without a single word being uttered. But when blended along with the most tender lyrics of the evergreen classics, music has the ability to melt the soul, leading us to a transcendent state of nirvana. The famous French author, poet, and statesman Alphonse de Lamartine once said that ''music is the literature of the heart because it commences where speech ends''. It seems that the famous Frenchman was completely right when he wrote that "when the words fail, music does speak." Indeed, it does speak volumes, especially in moments when it lightens the burdens of life, in troublesome, challenging times when it can also be for a good cause, and in the greatest service of people. 

MAAA is founded on such principles; it is an association in service not only of its members but also of the people of the two tightly connected, brotherly countries, North Macedonia and the USA. And since it is an organization in whose DNA the devotion to promoting philanthropy, assisting in need, and charity work are encoded, it continued its years-long tradition of organizing the annual New Year charity gala concert held on December 29, 2022, at the Macedonian Philharmonic, this year symbolically named "An evergreen friendship".

The American and Macedonian pop and jazz fundraising concert, featuring a well-selected music program with some of the most perennial notes and unforgettable lyrics, was, as always, a memorable night filled with emotion, laughter and bonding. In retrospect, I need to reflect on what indeed was a night to remember - the entire evening was in line with "the evergreen, sustainable friendship" that the two countries nurture and cherish along with MAAA members and friends, this time supported by some fantastic performances. The melodies and the eternal lyrics executed by the established Macedonian artists - the unmatched voices of Nade Talevska Spasovska, John Ilija Apelgren, and Marija Dimitrijevic, accompanied by the Bitola Chamber Orchestra led by the conductor, maestro Vladimir Dimovski, rounded the unforgettable evening of fun and friendship.

The concert was a sublime, otherworldly sensation. The audience was led through the evening by the magnificent showman and our alumnus, Mr. Ognen Janevski, who succeeded in melting our hearts with his majestic smile, as well as his poetic and sensual basso profondo. This intimate concert for a good cause was opened by the President of MAAA, Mrs. Verica Jordanova who by addressing the audience, also talked briefly about the ongoing plans and projects, as well as about the future endeavors of the organization. The President underlined the fact that our association is one of the most active American alumni associations globally speaking. In addition, a short, yet winning speech in both Macedonian and American was given by Mrs. Marlene Nice, the PA Officer at the U.S. embassy in the country, who talked about the collaboration between the two countries as well as the importance of partnering with the American alumni networks worldwide.

After the official part, the attendees were left in the hands of the musicians, who transmitted the audience to another dimension through the world of music and they could experience a sensation of 'a dream within a dream'. It was an ecstatic experience: not only did the audience sing and dance, but it felt as if they were on the wings of a sad dove, flying to the Moon, and playing among the stars, finding out what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars; and then, like a ripened apple, their love grew even bigger, like the rising Shara in our hands, or the gushing run of river Vardar, with each accord played. The orchestra and the singers wrapped up the evening with a series of Christmas carols, making the audience wish for a 'dash of snow' in a concrete jungle where dreams are made of, and the 'jingling of bells' on the sleigh.

But the singing and dancing had to stop eventually. Yet, the fun and laughter and the mingling continued late into the night, with a glass of the latest exquisite edition Château de Gourdon from the Tikvesh Winery.

Once the evening ended, we left home with a feeling of fulfillment and immense satisfaction, knowing that the funds raised might make someone's New Year's Eve happier. As for me, I left into the darkness of that cold December night, looking forward to the New Year with hopes for a better future, and with eager expectation and dreaming of the next year's MAAA gala concert.