Panel Discussion “Wine as an Ambassador: A Vision for Bringing People Closer Through Taste and Tradition”

On 2 March 2026, the Centre of Macedonian Women, ZemaF e.V., together with the Macedonian Embassy in Berlin, organised a panel discussion titled “Wine as an Ambassador: A Vision for Bringing People Closer Through Taste and Tradition.”The event took place ahead of ITB Berlin, the world’s largest tourism trade fair, and placed special emphasi s on the role of Macedonian women as a driving force in entrepreneurship, cultural diplomacy and the economic promotion of the country.The guest speaker  of the evening was Zorica Zorić, founder of vinostory.de, who shared her personal and professional journey – from moving to Germany and learning the language from the very beginning to building a successful company that brings Macedonian wines to the German market.Her example was highlighted as proof that a Macedonian woman can make a courageous new start in a different environment and build a recognisable brand by using wine as a means of cultural connection between the two countries. The panel discussion was moderated by the Vice Chair of ZemaF e.V., Dr Irena Bojarovska. She opened the discussion on the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs during the integration process – from language barriers to administrative procedures – while also emphasising the importance of community and mutual support as key factors for success.The distinguished guests included Ambassador Ilber Sela, State Secretary at the Ministry of  Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Elena Kuzmanovska Biondić, and Sofija Miladinovska, Head of the Promotion Sector at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The guests also included the Vice Presidents of the Macedonian-German Business Club, Dragan Ilieski and Ziber Seljami, representatives of the Macedonian community in Germany, supporters of ZemaF, and local business partners who actively support the promotion of Macedonian products and culture. Special attention was given to the potential of distinctive Macedonian grape varieties, particularly Vranec, as an authentic and recognisable symbol of Macedonian winemaking in Germany. The discussion explored the role of the diaspora as “ambassadors of taste,” the connection between tourism and gastronomy, and the opportunities for strategically positioning Macedonian wines at the European level. The Chair of ZemaF e.V., Dr Marija Treneva, presented Zorica Zorić with a certificate of appreciation for her outstanding contribution to the promotion of Macedonian wines and to strengthening the role of Macedonian women in Germany.In her closing remarks, she expressed her sincere gratitude to all participants, institu tions and partners for their support, and especially to the Secretary of ZemaF e.V., Dr Simona Dimchevska Sazdovska, for organising the event. She emphasised that events such as this build a bridge between the homeland and the diaspora and create space for new opportunities, partnerships and shared success.The conclusion of the event was that wine is not merely a product – it is a story, a tradition and a powerful symbol of identity. Through the joint efforts of businesses, institutions and the community, Macedonian wine can be positioned even more strongly on the European stage.