The festival, set in the tripoint area of Macedonia, Greece and Albania, is one of the most important cultural events in the region and regularly welcomes familiar faces of Macedonian and international theatre, according to Slovenian director Dušan Jovanović.

Last year, the Actor of Europe award went to the internationally acclaimed Croatian-born Serbian actor and director Rade Šerbedžija.

The 13th edition of the festival aimed at connecting the cultures of Macedonia, Albania and Greece is running from Monday to Saturday.

The 68-year-old Zupančič most recently accepted Slovenia's most prestigious media popularity award, the Viktor for Lifetime Achievement.

Her collection of accolades includes the Prešeren Award and several Borštnik Rings from Slovenia's leading theatre festival.

Her performance in the role of a young peasant girl in the film "Cvetje v Jeseni" (Blossoms in Autumn) from 1973 launched her to fame and started a successful career that has seen her hold numerous leading roles in film and theatre in Slovenia and the broader region.

She officially retired in 2011 but remains very active, continuing to hold roles in a number of productions in Slovenia and Croatia.