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A solemn opening marked the start of one of the most significant events for the nurturing and affirmation of the Macedonian language \u2013 the Fifth Winter School of the International Seminar for Macedonian Language, Literature and Culture (MSMLC) at the University 'St. Cyril and Methodius' in Skopje (UCM), in which around 100 Macedonists from 18 countries around the world are participating: Australia, Albania, Bulgaria, Italy, Mongolia, the People's Republic of China, Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation, the USA, Slovakia, Slovenia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, Hungary, Croatia and the Czech Republic.\nThe seminar is held online and was opened by the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, who is also the patron of the seminar's schools.
\n\u201eThe Fifth Winter School is a breeding ground for world Macedonistics, through which students, professors, scientific researchers, Macedonists, philologists, and cultural scholars from foreign universities around the world have the opportunity to nurture and develop Macedonistics, and to perfect the Macedonian language, literature and culture. And I can say with satisfaction that Macedonistics is a stable, scholarly and well-reasoned discipline with a long tradition, and it achieves its outstanding results through scholarly growth and development, a process in which the International Seminar at UKI\u041c plays a central role," emphasised President Sijanovska-Davkova.
\nShe emphasised that, once again, from today, Macedonistics will be ennobled and 'gilded' with the Macedonist 'seed', which will be 'sown' throughout the world, and like a light it will radiate and illuminate the beautiful and solemn Macedonist week in which some 100 Macedonists will lavishly cultivate and develop Macedonistics and will send a powerful Macedonist message to the world.
\n\u201eThe Winter School of the International Seminar \u2013 knows no borders, is unaware of barriers, builds bridges of cooperation, scientific and cultural exchange, friendship and cultural diplomacy. The Macedonian language is the essence of the Macedonian entity and identity. The Macedonian word, artistic and scientific \u2013 opens new horizons and conquers new universes. The Macedonian melos, folklore, history, archaeology \u2013 are our precious and inexhaustible sources that we share with you," President Sijanovska-Davkova said.
\nThe Rector of the University 'St. Cyril and Methodius' in Skopje, Prof. Dr Biljana Angelova, stated at the opening that UCM is opening its classrooms and amphitheatres for Macedonistics, which this time is being networked into a large higher education and scientific collaboration network, emphasising that the International Seminar is an important priority for the University, which has broader national interest and international significance.
\n\u201eIn accordance with the concept of an open and modern university, in tune with the new needs and challenges in the higher education and scientific process, U\u041a\u0418\u041c provides conditions for the quality growth and development of Macedonistics through the work of the International Seminar for Macedonian Language, Literature and Culture, as well as the work of the faculties and institutes in the fields of: Macedonistics, Philology, Cultural Studies, Philosophy, Folkloristics, National History, etc.," said Rector Angelova.
\nShe pointed out that the Seminar is an opportunity to strengthen academic and scientific research networks, to exchange ideas and create new projects, adding that, this school is a true expression of the organiser's commitment and efforts to the diligent study, promotion and affirmation of Macedonistics, but also the result of a fruitful synergy between the seminar participants, lecturers and tutors.
\nSpeaking of all the past successes of the schools held, the Rector emphasised that the great upsurge and international affirmation of Macedonistics are due to the renewed concept, the rich variety of programme content, and the scholarly and competent teaching by eminent lecturers \u2013 which are also the hallmarks of this school.
\nThe Director of the International Seminar at UCM, Professor Dr Kristina Nikolovska, welcomed all participants, stating that from today the International Seminar at UCM is once again opening the magnificent gates of Macedonistics to the whole world.
\n\u201e"From today \u2013 the world will become a vast Macedonist classroom from which new and ever more classrooms, workshops and translation studios will grow. From today \u2013 we will radiate knowledge in all directions of the world, united in a great Macedonist network that multiplies like light," said Director Nikolovska.
\nThe Fifth Winter School will mark the eightieth anniversary of the Macedonian alphabet and orthography, and will also honour the greats of Macedonian literature and culture \u2013 Grigor Prlichev (on the occasion of the 195th anniversary of his birth), Konstantin Miladinov (195 years since his birth), Ante Popovski (70 years since his first poetry collection), Tashko Georgievski and Zhivko Tsingo (90 years since their birth).
\nThe seminarists work in two sections: Macedonian language (at three levels: beginner, intermediate and advanced) and Macedonian literature and culture (with a translation workshop on the poetry of Ante Popovski, from which an anthology entitled "Ante Popovski \u2013 on an Ocean of Languages" will be published).
\nThe International Seminar at U\u041a\u0418\u041c has so far held 57 summer schools and four winter schools, in which more than 4,300 people from over 60 countries worldwide, eminent Macedonists, philologists, Slavists, Balkanologists, professors, scientific researchers, students of Macedonian language, literature and culture at foreign universities, translators and promoters of Macedonistics. The International Seminar at UCM develops the activities of 11 lectorates in Macedonistics at foreign universities in nine countries, where there is a great deal of interest from students.
\nSs. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"