The Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports informs all interested artists, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and art teachers about the international call for participation in the 44th World Exhibition of Fine Arts Creation and the 45th World Art Colony “Mali Montmartre Bitola 2026,” which will be held in the Republic of North Macedonia. The invitation was delivered through the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the note that this is one of the most prestigious colonies of children’s and youth art at the global level.
The organizer of the colony is the Children’s Art Studio “Saints Cyril and Methodius” Bitola, which has been gathering talented young visual artists from all over the world for more than 40 years. Participants aged 4 to 21 may take part through school collections of works, with the theme for 2026 being free, as well as the paper format. A minimum collection must contain at least 20 works, sent by mail no later than February 20, 2026, to the studio’s address in Bitola.
At the exhibition “Bitola 2026,” several international awards will be presented, including:
- 250 special diplomas for individual artistic approach,
- 150 “Gold Palettes” awards for the best students,
- 20 awards for the best school collections,
- 30 invitations to schools for participation in the colony (one teacher + two students).
In addition, awards will be given for lifetime achievement, contribution to pedagogy, promotion of children’s art, as well as awards for students and schools.
For colony participants, a seven-day artistic gathering in Bitola is planned, including work on the theme “Old Architecture,” fieldwork, and visits to local cultural sites, with hotel accommodation provided during the period May 23–30, 2026. The organizer will provide part of the materials, while travel expenses are not covered by the invitation.
The competition is open from September 20, 2025, to February 20, 2026, and the results will be announced no later than March 20, 2026, on the organizer’s official website: www.smallmontmatreofbitola.com.