Thank you to all friends, donors, partners, collaborators, workers, and volunteers who have been part of our ten-year story.
From October 1 to 3, 2026, Shtip hosted the jubilee "Textilijada 10", under the motto "Our Rights, Our Future". Through conferences, conversations, art, and activities for children, we looked back on the past ten years and raised the questions that will guide our future work.
Over 320 visitors were part of the three days of "Textiliada 10", proof that workers' rights are a concern of the entire community.
Dear friends,
With the end of the tenth anniversary edition of "Textiliada", we would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who was with us these days, but also to everyone who in the past 10 years has been part of the path we have walked together.
These days we have taken stock of what we have achieved in the past decade, but we have also raised questions about the challenges that remain before us. We have discussed economic security and women's empowerment, women's and workers' rights, gender equality, a living wage and decent work. Through culture and art, we have shown once again that important struggles can gain a voice, space and support.
October 1 – Our rights in public space
The anniversary edition began with the presentation of the mural "Our Rights, Our Future" at the "Tosho Arsov" Primary School in Shtip and a press conference dedicated to "Textilijada 10". The mural, a work by artist Nikola Kostovski, brought the message of workers' rights into a space where children, teachers, parents and citizens meet every day. It remains in the city even after the event ends, as a reminder of what we stand for.
The first day also opened the topic of cultural opportunities for the youngest. At the Youth Center in Shtip, the cultural debate "Initiative for Opening a Professional Theater for Children and Youth in Shtip", in cooperation with "Teatarche", was dedicated to the need for children and youth to have their own space for theater, creativity and cultural development. For us, the conversation about the future of children is also related to the conditions in which their families live and the opportunities offered to them by the community.
October 2 – Ten years through the eyes of friends
On the second day, at the Oasis Hotel, the international conference "10 Years Through the Eyes of Friends: Economic Empowerment, Economic Stability and Impact" offered a space to review the work of "Glasen Tekstilec" together with its partners. The focus was on the economic empowerment of women, women's and workers' rights, gender equality, decent work and the sustainability of the organization.
This review also gave us the opportunity to talk about the role of partnerships in our development. Trust, knowledge exchange and continuous support helped us expand our work and open up labor issues to a wider circle of people and institutions. The anniversary was an opportunity to thank those who recognized the significance of this work and were with us at the various stages of its development.
The conference was followed by a photo exhibition dedicated to ten years of work of "Glasen Tekstilec". The photos brought back to mind the people, meetings and activities that shaped the organization. In this way, the review of what has been achieved also gained a visible record of the path we have traveled together.
In the afternoon program, the literary event "Our Rights, Our Future" at the "Goce Delchev" library in Shtip continued the connection between art and the topics opened by the "Textile Festival". The literary word received its place in the jubilee program, in addition to public debates and conversations about labor and equality.
From silence to voice – the story of a decade
The evening friendly discussion "10 years for workers' rights" was dedicated to shared experiences and achievements. In the conversation "Friends summarize: shared achievements", partners and friends reflected on the past years, the challenges and the meaning of cooperation. The program also included workers' testimonies and trade union solidarity, with attention to the voices of people for whom this struggle is part of everyday life.
The event featured the video "10 Years of Workers' Rights" and the anniversary almanac "From Silence to Voice". The almanac collects important moments from the development of "Glasen Tekstilec" and the ten editions of "Textiliada": workers' struggles, legal support, field work, partnerships and artistic activities. Its pages preserve the memory of this decade and make it accessible to all who want to get to know our work better.
October 3 – Living Wage and Economic Security
The third day focused on the living wage. The methodology for its calculation was presented at the Oasis Hotel, with attention to decent incomes, living standards and economic security for workers and their families. This topic is closely related to the problems we hear about in our daily work and the need for wages to enable a dignified life.
For "Voice Textile Worker", the presentation of the methodology is an important basis for further discussion and advocacy for better wages. The anniversary linked the review of the past with the question of how to improve the conditions in which workers and their families live today. The living wage remains part of that work even after the end of "Textiliada 10".
Children's creativity and joint completion
The anniversary program continued with a workshop for children with Natasha Taseva, in cooperation with Dino Park Shtip, and with a promotion of the newspaper "Textilec". Children's creativity was given space in the event, and the newspaper continued our work of informing about topics related to workers' rights. The workshop was an opportunity for the youngest to socialize and freely express their ideas through creative activities. It is important for us that children are also part of the "Textile Festival" and have their own space for participation and creativity.
In the closing evening at Time Out Cafe, the program included the comic strip "Superheroines VS AI, people are not machines", networking and celebrating common successes. After three days filled with conversations and activities, this was a space to meet and socialize with the people who make "Textiliada" a part of the life of our community.
Ten years of struggle for workers' rights
Behind these 10 years are many human stories. There are moments of joy when we managed to help someone get what they deserve – their salary, K-15, contributions, severance pay or simply justice. But there were also difficult moments, closed doors, long waits, confrontations with institutions and stories that left a feeling of powerlessness. However, we continued.
In a decade, many things have changed. Today, more and more workers know that they have the right to ask, to speak, to seek protection and to fight for what belongs to them. It is the result of a long and persistent struggle in which no one can remain alone.
Thanks to all friends and partners
We would like to express our gratitude to the workers who have placed their trust in us, to the participants, artists, volunteers, the team and everyone who helped in the preparation and realization of the events. We also thank the media that covered the workers' issues, the institutions, local collaborators and all the citizens who were part of the anniversary edition.
„"Textilijada 10" was supported by the Olof Palme International Center, The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation and Sweden, in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Skopje office and the Municipality of Shtip. We are grateful for this support, as well as for the trust of all our long-standing partners and friends. For us, that trust means that we have someone with whom to share both the results and the difficulties that accompany the fight for workers' rights.
Special thanks to:
Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden in North Macedonia (Embassy of Sweden in Skopje), Olof Palmes International Center, The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Skopje.
Municipality of Stip Macedonia and the mayor Mr. Ivan Jordanov, as well as President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova for the greeting telegram.
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, PE Stipion 2011, Civica Mobilitas, Macedonian Center for International Cooperation – MCIC, Center for Research and Policy Making — CRPM from Skopje, Association for Research and Analysis – ZMAI, Educational and humanitarian organization – Echo, The Association Initiative of Unemployed Intellectuals, Union of Trade Unions – 5th FORCE, SMART Balkans, Reactor research in action, Macedonian Platform Against Poverty – MPPS, Fair Wear Foundation, Dino Park Shtip.
K.U.C Textile, Saba Shtip, Primary School "Tosho Arsov" - Shtip, Secondary School RCSOO "Kole Nehtenin", Secondary School "Dimitar Miraschiev" - Shtip, Secondary School "Jane Sandanski" - Shtip, Secondary School Gymnasium "Slavcho Stojmenski" - Shtip, DMUC "Sergey Mihajlov" Shtip, National University-University "Goce Delchev" - Shtip, Youth Center Shtip, Drama Studio Teatarche and all participants in the literary competition.
Eam T-Shirts, Promovens Skopje, Koma – design studio, Arion Profi Center, Hotel Oaza, Radio Taxi De Luxe 13560, Uni Office – Unimak, Time Out Cafe.
Pance Stefanovski, Katerina Ordeva, Dimitrinka Dinova, Ognen Janeski, Natasha Taseva, Viktor Vukanovski, Vinka Mirchevska Pravulovich, Igor Jadrovski, Jana Jakimovska, Nikola Pisarev, Nikola Kostovski, Viktor Mitevski, Oliver Tackov, Uranija Pirovska, Beti Pejeva, Todor Tsonev, Katerina Milenkova Trajcheva, Vesna Blazevska, Aleksandar Krzhaloski, Levend Bicaku, Lolo Darin, Valon Sadiku, Dragan Tevdovski, Biljana Dukovska, Milorad Angelov, Kiril Barbareev, Trajche Kacarov, Daniela Ivanova, Stefan Gjorchev, Bosko Galevski, Sasko Golov, Vangje Maneva, Zoran Kostovski, Ema Bugjevac.
Our deepest gratitude goes to the volunteers and our team, Kristina Ampeva, Blagojce Disoski, Denis Ampev and Stefan Davchev, whose dedication, effort and energy made "Textilijada 10" possible.
But there is still a lot of work ahead of us.
In the coming period, we will continue to raise important issues and jointly advocate for dignity in the workplace, better wages, greater security and better working conditions. We will continue to fight for an environment in which labor will be respected and workers' rights will be consistently protected.
We thank everyone who believed, supported, participated and contributed to "Textiliada" lasting and growing for 10 years.
This anniversary edition closes a chapter, but continues the fight we started together.
We continue on, with the same perseverance and with the belief that changes are possible when we don't give up on them.
We remain committed to the fight for dignity, equality, and justice, because our rights are not just a matter of today, but are the foundation of the future we want to create.
The events within Textiliada 10 are financially supported by Sweden, Olof Palme International Center and The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, office in Skopje.
The content published on this page is the sole responsibility of Glasen Tekstilec – Shtip and does not necessarily reflect the views of the donors and partner organizations.
