Athens, 15 December 2024 (MIA) - Thanks to the rich program, excellent organization, and inspiring presentations by all the participants, the event at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki was a "spiritual feast" dedicated to both the Macedonian language and literature, as well as the perspectives for academic cooperation, the Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Professor Vladimir Martinovski, told MIA in regard to scientific conference held Saturday in Thessaloniki at which Macedonian and Greek professors discuss the perspectives of cultural cooperation at the academic level, focusing on the Macedonian language.

This was a scientific conference, the first of its kind at the academic level, hosted by Greece. It took place in the amphitheatre of the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki, organized by the Culture, Borders, Gender Laboratory at the Department for Balkan, Slavic and Oriental Studies of the Thessaloniki University, in collaboration with the Blazhe Koneski Faculty of Philology at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje.

“The program included comprehensive scientific presentations dedicated to Macedonian literature, as well as a presentation of original literary texts related to the Aegean theme and historical traumas, as well as the need to overcome them. The latest translations into Greek of several anthological songs from contemporary Macedonian poetry were also presented, and the event was enriched with musical interpretations of several traditional Macedonian songs. The conference was marked by a pleasant, friendly atmosphere of dialogue and mutual respect,” Professor Martinovski said.

He noted that their colleagues from the Department of Balkan, Slavic, and Oriental Studies shared "their previous experiences in international cooperation with universities in the Republic of North Macedonia" and added that now, their focus is "on the need to deepen this cooperation in the future."

“The importance and success of this academic meeting inspire and oblige us to invite our Greek colleagues to hold the next scientific gathering at the Blazhe Koneski Faculty of Philology at the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje in 2025,” he said.

The event was also attended by Professors Rumena Buzharovska, Vesna Mojsova-Chepishevska, and Eleni Sideri, Professor Ioannis Manos, Assistant Lecturer Elena Gjorgjiovska, Dr. Kica Kolbe, Dr. Evangelos Kyriakou, Maria Doumpa, and Fotis Sionis.

In a conversation with MIA, Professor Rumena Buzharovska shared her satisfaction and hope that this specific scientific symposium will grow into a tradition, reflecting on the small attempts to prevent its holding, as well as the "defense" and support from Greek students.

“The event was remarkably successful, especially considering that certain fascist groups attempted to intimidate the Greek organizers to prevent it from taking place. In the full amphitheater, Greek students from the faculty came to show their support, chanting as a sign of solidarity with the event and the autonomy of the University. From this perspective, since this is the first official academic event dedicated to the Macedonian language and to deepening scientific and academic ties between Macedonian and Greek philologists, this gathering was truly revolutionary and humanistic, and I believe it will become a tradition at both universities,” Professor Buzharovska stressed.

Professor Alexandra Ioannidou told MIA on Saturday that the event "aims to strengthen the long-planned cooperation between the University in Skopje and the University of Macedonia."

“The official recognition of the Macedonian language through the Prespa Agreement was supposed to be implemented in the academic environment as well, to finally begin a fruitful exchange of ideas, culture, knowledge, and collaborations at the academic level. I consider this event very important, as it signals not only the desire and willingness to improve relations between our two nations, but also a transformation of theory into practice,” Professor Ioannidou told MIA.

Professors Alexandra Ioannidou and Rumena Buzharovska already have a collaboration, as two books by the Macedonian author have been translated from Macedonian to Greek, by Professor Ioannidou. The works were promoted in Thessaloniki, Athens, and also on Crete.

Sanja Ristovska