Friends of the Lyric Mill

Friends of the Lyric Mill is a non-profit association founded in March 2026 in Metz-le-Comte, Burgundy, France. Its primary missions are to develop, organize, and promote cultural and artistic projects, preserve and champion literary heritage, and foster community engagement through cultural and educational initiatives.

Among its key activities, the Association organizes The Lyric Mill’s Open Portal, an annual cultural event that brings together poets, writers, artists, musicians, and actors from diverse cultural backgrounds in a historic rural setting.

The event is held in tribute to the Macedonian poet Aco Šopov, helping to promote, preserve, and share his work both in France and internationally.

Supported by both public and private funding, the event is primarily financed by the Aco Šopov Poetry Foundation, which also oversees its artistic direction and general coordination.