Skopje is currently hosting the European Dance Championship, running from 21 to 29 September at the Boris Trajkovski Sports Centre. More than 2,900 competitors from 26 European countries are performing in classical ballet, ballet repertoire, jazz dance, modern and contemporary dance and stage improvisation, in solo, duo, group and formation categories.

The centrepiece was 25 September, with the Parade of Nations at the T-Arena. Participants marched in with their national flags, followed by a gala programme and competition performances. The same day Skopje also hosted the Production Dance World Cup.

Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski used the moment for an announcement: next year Skopje will also host the World Dance Championship. "Today Skopje is a great European stage where cultures meet, new friendships are made and one shared passion is celebrated - the love of dance," he said, adding that the world championship confirms the city has the capacity for the biggest international events.

Thousands of young dancers, coaches, judges and visitors in one city for a whole week make for a genuinely international crowd. Whether hotels, restaurants and transport operators actually felt it - there are no figures yet.

Next year's world championship will bring new guests from all over the world. Inside the hall, the stage will shine. The question is whether Skopje will greet the world's dancers with the same shine outside it - on the pavements, on public transport and in the streets they will walk.