1. Who is Sanja Zdjelar, the violinist who has united hearts young, captivating, and guided by a patriotic spirit and how does she remember the moment when she first took the violin into her hands, and what did she feel then?
I am Sanja Zdjelar, a violinist who carries a part of the Macedonian soul around the world through music. Every note I play tells a story of joy, nostalgia, and pride in my homeland.
When I first held the violin in my hands, I felt as if I had found my home. In that moment, time stood still, and my heart began to speak through the strings. It was not merely an instrument in my hands, but a living soul that quietly understood me.
The violin cries, laughs, and dreams with me. It keeps my secrets, my joys, and my sorrows, transforming them into melodies that touch the heart. Through it, I live my emotion, my love, and my identity. It is me—translated into sound. 🎻
2. How would you describe your musical style, and what makes it distinctive?
•What makes me recognizable above all is my red dress and our beautiful national flag. When I play, I do not play only for myself—I play as a Macedonian, with pride and love, for the homeland that shaped me, taught me how to feel, and gave me a voice through music. The violin and Macedonia are one in my expression. When I play, every note speaks of who I am, where I come from, and how proud I am to be Macedonian.
3. You have performed across several continents around the world where our compatriots live, where do Macedonians celebrate and enjoy themselves the most?
Performing across different continents where Macedonians live has taught me that celebration is not defined by a place, but by the heart. Our people have the most fun wherever Macedonian music brings them back home—whether in Europe, America, or Australia. In those moments, distance disappears, and nostalgia turns into joy. Wherever we are in the world, when I begin to play and Macedonian songs fill the air, our people know how to celebrate most sincerely—because they carry Macedonia within them.
4. How much are your personal emotions and life stories woven into your music?
All my personal emotions and life stories are woven into my music—every note carries a part of my joy, my sorrow, my fears, and my dreams. The violin is my most honest voice; through it, I share moments that words cannot express.
5. What place does Macedonia hold in your heart and in your artistry?
Macedonia holds the most sacred place in my heart and is deeply rooted in everything I create. It is not just my homeland, but the source of my strength, inspiration, and identity. Wherever I perform around the world, I carry Macedonia with me—as a feeling, as a voice, and as an eternal love that never ceases to resonate.
6. What do you feel when you perform for Macedonians in the diaspora, far from their homeland?
In those moments, the violin becomes a bridge between distance and home. Every note revives memories, awakens roots, and creates the feeling that, at least for a moment, we are all home again. I play with reverence, with responsibility, and with immense pride—because I know I am not just giving them music, but a piece of Macedonia.
7. Has music helped you overcome difficult moments in your life?
Music has taught me that beauty can emerge even from the deepest sorrow. It has given me the strength to keep going, to believe, and to rise stronger. For me, the violin is not just art—it is a balm for the soul and the most sincere companion through life.
8. Which performance has left the deepest mark on you, and why?
The concert with Vlatko and Zlatko Miladinovski at the Boris Trajkovski Arena was a magical moment I will remember forever. Performing for our compatriots from Macedonia and the diaspora, I felt the entire arena come alive with every note. The violin became a bridge between distance and homeland, carrying love, pride, and nostalgia. For me, it was not just a concert, it was the heart of Macedonia.
9. What are you currently working on, and what can we expect from you in the near future?
In the near future, you can expect performances across Macedonia and the diaspora, as well as new compositions that will carry the Macedonian soul onto the world stage—with the violin as my strongest voice and a symbol of pride.
10. What message would you like to send to Macedonians living far from their true home?
Carry Macedonia in your heart. Let the songs, memories, and love for your homeland accompany you always. Even miles away, our country is with you in every note, every smile, and every step.
