Scientific Conference on “80 Years of Education in the Native Macedonian Language”

On the 19^th of December 2024, the Conference “80 Years of Education in the Native Macedonian Language in Albania” was held in Korça, Albania and attended by university professors and researchers from Albania and Macedonia, as well as activists from the Macedonian community in Albania.

The opening ceremony was attended by Zoran Dimitrovski, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Ljuftim Spahiu, Acting Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia to Tirana; Emilija Poteska Popivoda, Director of the Cultural and Information Center in Tirana; Pali Kolefski, Mayor of Pustec; and others.

The plenary session was opened by Prof. Dr. Eris Rusi, Head of the Department of Language and Literature. Attendees were also greeted by Prof. Dr. Lorenc Ekonomi, Rector of the University; Prof. Dr. Jonela Spaho, Dean of the Faculty of Education; Erjon Nedjipi, President of the Korça District Council; and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Macedonia, Zoran Dimitrovski.

Deputy Minister Zoran Dimitrovski emphasised that nurturing the Macedonian language and strengthening its position globally is a priority for the new Macedonian government:

“From the perspective of the country’s Eurointegration, this means strengthening the capacities for translation and interpretation into the Macedonian language to ensure the timely and quality preparation of the national version of European legislation and to provide solid support during the accession negotiations,”

The Conference was organised by the Macedonian Association “Sonce” from Korça in collaboration with the “Fan S. Noli” University of the same city and the Network to Promote Linguistic Diversity.

The attendees were also addressed by the President of the Macedonian Association “Sonce” and lecturer at “Fan S. Noli” University, Mr. Vasil Sterjovski, who elaborated on the main topic of the plenary session, “Challenges in Teaching the Native Macedonian Language in Albania, 1944–2024”.

Sterjovski highlighted that the goal of the Conference was to commemorate the significant jubilee of Macedonian education in Albania and to honour and remember those who have made significant contributions to the development of education in Macedonian and underline the need for further development of the educational process for Macedonians in Albania.

“Language is the soul of a nation. As the German philosopher Johann Wolfgang Goethe said, ‘Whoever does not know their own language does not know themselves.’ Therefore, preserving and developing the Macedonian language in Albania is a valuable contribution to our cultural mosaic. Let us use this jubilee to reflect on the importance of collaboration and diversity. As Macedonians and Albanians, we have lived side by side for centuries, sharing challenges and triumphs. Our cooperation is an example of harmony and mutual respect.”

The conference continued with the presentation of 16 scientific topics prepared by academics, teachers, and researchers from Albania and Macedonia, as well as Macedonian activists from Albania. The topics included various studies related to Macedonian teachers in Albania between 1944 and 1948, the contribution of Sterjo Spase in editing texts in Albanian and Macedonian, reflections on the 80th anniversary of teaching the Macedonian language in Albania, the contributions of Nikola Berovski, Boris Malevski, and Fote Nikola to the study of the Macedonian language, Macedonian dialects in the Gora and Golo Brdo regions, teaching the Macedonian language in the village of Vrbnik, the connection between Albanian and Macedonian literature, and the promotion and preservation of the Macedonian language and cultural identity of ethnic Macedonians in Albania.

More information on the conference can be found here: Scientific Conference “80 Years of Education in the Native Macedonian Language in Albania” in Korça