"The Best Promoter of Macedonia" awards for 2011 were presented on Wednesday at a ceremony held in the Cinematheque of Macedonia.

The winners were chosen following a four-month nomination and voting process.

According to Facebook and jury votes, the winners in four categories are Simon Trpceski - arts and science, Ljupco Juzmeski - tourism, export and entrepreneurship, the Macedonian men's basketball team - good will diplomacy, and Aleksandar Bogatinov, who received most votes in the public poll.

On occasion of Macedonia's 20th independence anniversary, the jury also handed over three life-achievement awards to Virginia Evans (founder of the Macedonian Film Festival in Toronto), Gradimir Pankov (ballet dancer) and Simon Trpceski for their long-standing, top-class achievements and activities.

Additional prizes by the organizers were presented to poet Nikola Madzirov (Nova Makedonija extra statutory award), Macedonian men's basketball team (Kanal 5 extra statutory award), Simon Trpceski (Kapital Media Group extra statutory award), Igor Kirov (project "Macedonia Loves You" extra statutory award), Lutz Domel (campaign "Macedonia 20" extra statutory award).

The project "Macedonia Loves You" presents the awards for the second time. Daily "Nova Makedonija", Kapital Media Group and Kanal 5 TV station are the media partners and co-organizers. The Macedonian Information Agency - MIA, Macedonian Radio Television - MRT, and diaspora magazine "UMD Voice" have also provided media support.

Pianist Simon Trpceski at the ceremony pledged to keep on promoting Macedonia in the best possible way.

"I believe it will be an inspiration and motivation for many other people to promote Macedonia worldwide," Trpceski said.

President of the Macedonian Basketball Federation, Daniel Dimevski said the award was a great honor.

"It was an honor to promote Macedonia the best we could. The European championship was a fair where each country showcased its achievements. It was a great pleasure to be Macedonian in Lithuania," he noted.