Skopje, 20 August 2026 (MIA) — The summer school of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University’s 59th International Seminar on Macedonian Language, Literature and Culture began Thursday in Ohrid, gathering 60 Macedonian and Slavic language scholars from 17 countries to learn the language and attend lectures on Macedonian literature and culture.

Addressing the seminar's opening ceremony, Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska highlighted the importance of the seminar for the Macedonian language and the nation.

"Education and science represent the foundations of our language's future," Janevska said, noting that the government supported the state university in promoting the Macedonian language and identity through the annual summer school.

"I hope the number of participants will keep growing each year," she said. "We are proud of this seminar and we hope to spread not only the Macedonian language but also Macedonian culture around the world."

In her remarks, seminar director Kristina Nikolovska stressed that the seminar was fouded almost six decades ago.

"This has been one grandiose river of Macedonian language scholars," Nikolovska said. "We are sowing the seeds of the Macedonian language every year."

"Through this yearly assembly of Macedonian language scholars, we are sending an extraordinary message of cooperation and friendship through studying the Macedonian language, science and culture," she said.

At the event, state university dean Biljana Angelova presented Canadian scholar Christina Kramer with an award for promoting the Macedonian language. The education minister and state lottery representatives received certificates of recognition.

This year's seminar participants include scholars from Albania, Argentina, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and the US.

In addition to Macedonian language classes and literature lectures, the summer school will offer a translation workshop, a course on Macedonian folk dances and several book launches. Participants will also visit the Old Town of Ohrid and go on an academic field trip.

After the summer school ends, scholars will take part in the seminar's 53th International Scholarly Conference at Ohrid's Congress Center. Its 135 attendees include 75 researchers, alongside this year's lecturers and students. mr/