Struga, 21 August 2025 (MIA) - Receiving the Golden Wreath is of immense importance for the affirmation of Slovak poetic expression in today’s turbulent world. The Slovak and Macedonian languages share the same roots, and although they are small languages, they produce great and significant works that deserve to be seen, appreciated and valued even more by the world, said the recipient of the highest festival aware at the Struga Poetry Evenings, Slovak poet, storyteller, essayist and translator Ivan Štrpka at a press conference Thursday.

“You are a country that knows how to honor good values and it is my pleasure to be here among you today. I am very happy that in a short period we managed to produce an exceptional edition of my complete poetic opus. I personally selected the poems. I am grateful that, in addition to the Macedonian version, with the English translation, the international audience will also have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the written word,” Štrpka said. 

Štrpka said the edition also sends an aesthetic message into the broader world of cultural events.

“In the cultural sense of the word and in terms of crossing borders, the Slovak and Macedonian languages originate from the same foundation. In the Slavic world, both Slovak and Macedonian are often referred to as small languages, but this is an important affirmation that, although the number of speakers may not be large, our ‘small languages’ produce significant works and the world needs to see them, to appreciate them and value them even more. We need to prove that, in fact, we are not small in any sense,” Štrpka stressed.

Earlier on Thursday, as part of the festival’s traditional tree planting ceremony in the Park of Poetry, Štrpka planted a tree next to a plaque bearing his name, placed among those of other poets. 

Struga, said festival director Nikola Kukunesh at the press conference, is opening its doors to poetry for the 64th time.

"This year’s laureate is a poet who, throughout his life, has tasted all facets of existence when it comes to poetic creation. He is a man who has been respected, but also a poet who has felt the repression of the system," Kukunesh said. 

The Festival will open on Thursday evening with the lighting of the festival flame and a reading of Konstantin Miladinov’s poem “Longing for the South”.

It will officially be opened by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, under whose patronage the 64th Struga Poetry Evenings are being held.

The event will continue with the International Poetry Reading “Meridians,” featuring poets from various meridians and cultures, sharing their poetic visions.

From today and until August 25, the 64th edition of this prestigious international poetry manifestation will host 70 poets from different parts of the world, who, in the spirit of tradition, will build bridges of understanding, empathy, and creative dialogue through a series of poetry readings. This year’s edition focuses on Glagolitic script, with the festival’s set design bringing it to life and giving it a new dimension through contemporary visual design.

Photo: MIA