Skopje, 14 November 2023 (MIA) – "The Silver of Thrace" exhibition is a significant step forward in the already established cooperation between North Macedonia and Bulgaria over the protection of cultural heritage, which, at the same time, is also a shared European value, concluded Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi in his address at the opening of the exhibition at the Archeological Museum in Skopje.

The exhibition is a result of the collaboration between the Macedonian Archeological Museum and National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia. It comes after North Macedonia's archeological exhibition "105 Years since the Discovery of the Necropolis at Trebenishte" opened in Sofia in October. The exhibition is supported by the culture ministries of both countries.

Culture Minister Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska noted that such exhibitions benefit everyone. “All the time and effort invested in them,” she stressed, “are nothing compared to the great impression they leave.”

Her Bulgarian counterpart, Krastyu Krastev, in his address expressed hope that such collaborations will intensify in the future.

“The displayed objects show that there is a willingness for a new warming up of relations and good cooperation. These events speak about the unity of people through their cultures, as well as the development of cultures in the EU,” said Krastev.

Parliament Speaker Talat Xhaferi said the event represents a significant step forward in the already established cooperation over the protection of cultural heritage, which at the same time is a common European value.

“Considering that this is one of the main priorities of our foreign policies, the only thing that is left for me to say is that the cultural bridges of cooperation should be strengthened even more, since they are the noblest way of building sincere and civilized relations in the region and beyond. Let this be one more event of encouragement, of belief, and hope for a better future for us all,” said Xhaferi in his address.

The Chairperson of the Bulgarian National Assembly, Rosen Zhelyazkov, noted that such events prove that agreement exists between the two peoples and stressed the need for empathy and enhancement of good-neighborly relations between the two countries, as opposed to divisions.

“There should be empathy and not divisions. The good relations between the two countries should be enhanced, so that we can move forward together, and aid your EU membership, for the good of our future generations,” added Zhelyazkov.

The head of the Skopje-based Archeological Museum, Slavica Babamova, noted that the Thracian material culture will unite the two peoples, and resume the joint work between the Archeological Museum in Skopje and the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. While the head of the National Archaeological Institute with Museum at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Hristo Popov, noted that the opening of the exhibition represents a success for everyone.

Photo: MIA