Annual Labor Rights Festival
„"Textilijada" is an annual festival in Shtip that brings together workers' rights, culture, art, youth and civil dialogue. A space in which experiences become visible, and solidarity becomes a common force.
Since 2017 Stip 10 editions
„"Textilijada" is an annual festival organized by "Glasen Tekstilec" that connects workers' rights with culture, art, activism and public dialogue. The festival creates a space for workers, youth, institutions, unions, civil society organizations and cultural workers to come together to discuss the most important social challenges and to encourage concrete action. In Shtip, a city with a deep textile tradition, Textilijada preserves workers' memory and builds a contemporary culture of solidarity and resistance to injustice.
Let's create an open and recognizable platform through which culture and civic participation contribute to decent work, responsible institutions, and social justice.
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We invite you to be our guests at the tenth anniversary edition of Textiliada 10, which will be held from October 1 to 3, 2026 in Shtip, organized by the Glasen Tekstilec association.
This year we mark 10 years of struggle, solidarity and change, a decade dedicated to advancing workers' and women's rights, decent work, the economic empowerment of women and the creation of better living and working conditions.
Over the course of three days, through international conferences, discussions, worker testimonies, a photo exhibition, literary and artistic events, together with workers, institutions, unions, civil society organizations, and domestic and international partners, we will review what has been achieved in the past decade, but also the challenges that still lie ahead.
Special focus will be placed on economic security and women's empowerment, women's and workers' rights, living wages and decent work.
At the same time, through culture and art, we will pay tribute to the people, stories, and shared struggles that have created and shaped Textiliada over the past ten years.
Textiliada 10 is more than an anniversary. It is an opportunity to celebrate what has been achieved together, to hear the voices of workers and our partners, and to discuss the next steps towards a fairer society in which decent work and human rights are a reality for all.
We hope you will join us and together we will celebrate 10 years of Glasen Tekstilec and 10 years of Tekstilijada.
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.
„"Textiliada 2025" was the ninth edition of the festival dedicated to workers' rights, culture, activism and civil dialogue. The main theme was the fight against corruption and its consequences for justice, institutional protection and the dignity of workers.
Through public debates, cultural events, and creative activism, the festival encouraged citizens, youth, and workers to break their silence and actively oppose injustice.
„"Textiliade 8" was held under the motto „"Different directions, same goal"“. The publication highlighted the different approaches of associations, unions, institutions, employers and responsible brands in the fight for better workers' rights and working conditions.
Through debates, cultural events, and successful examples of collaboration, the festival encouraged open social dialogue and joint action for a fairer and more inclusive society.
Important: The locations for all activities are listed in the program.
„"Textiliada 7", held in 2023 under the motto „"Textile Justice – Reflecting on the Past, Imagining the Future"“, connected the textile heritage of Shtip, labor justice, and the need for modernization of the industry.
Through debates, international forums, and cultural events, topics on discrimination, sustainable fashion, union organizing, the judiciary, and workers' access to justice were raised.
„"Textiliada 6" was held in 2022 under the motto „"Living Wage – NOW AND IMMEDIATELY!"“, at a time when workers were facing rising living costs, an economic and energy crisis.
The event highlighted the need for a wage that enables a dignified life, respect for workers' rights, and stronger social dialogue between workers, institutions, unions, and employers.
The fifth edition of "Textiliada" was held in 2021 under the motto „"Reporting and roles in the fight for workers' rights"“.
The focus was on the role of the media, fashion brands, institutions and labor organizations in protecting workers. The program included debates, artistic events, a literary competition and discussions on the consequences of the Covid crisis.
„"Textiliada 4" was held in 2020 under the motto „"Worker Rights in the Time of Corona – Corona Rights"“.
The issue was dedicated to the protection of textile workers during the pandemic, discrimination, legal empowerment, union organizing, and the need for a solidarity response to the health, economic, and social crisis.
The third edition of "Textiliada" was held in 2019 under the motto „"Positive examples from the region – unions, organizations and institutions united for better workers' rights"“.
Through regional debates, art installations, exhibitions, films and workshops, examples of cooperation, union organizing and joint action for better worker protection were presented.
„"Textiliada 2" was held in 2018 under the motto „"Through culture and art to social dialogue"“.
The event raised questions about youth emigration, labor shortages, social entrepreneurship, and the future of Shtip as a textile city. The debates were complemented by exhibitions, film screenings, literary meetings, and youth activities.
The first "Textilijada" was held in Shtip in 2017 under the motto „"Culture for, culture with, culture from textile workers"“.
Through debates, poetry, film, exhibitions and theatre, workers' stories were placed at the centre of public space. The event opened up topics of union organising, legal empowerment and the common struggle for a better future for textile workers.
„Glasen Tekstilec" is a non-profit and non-partisan association founded by textile workers and human rights activists. We fight for decent work, equality and justice.
Copyright © 2026 Glasen Tekstilec. All rights reserved.
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