Skopje, 8 October 2024 (MIA) - "The European Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius in the Cultural Heritage of Skopje and Greater Skopje Area," a conference under the auspices of the Council of Europe, organized by the Institute of Macedonian Literature Ss. Cyril and Methodius University- Skopje (UKIM), as part of the "European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius", is taking place in Skopje, October 8-9.

The program presents historical monuments, artifacts, heritage manuscripts about the route and missions of Saints Cyril and Methodius across the European area, and offers an attractive model for culture and tourism management.

The Institute of Macedonian Literature- Skopje and Institute of Old Slavic Culture- Prilep are part of the "European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius" project, certified by the Council of Europe officially from December 1, 2023.

Natasha Avramovska, Director of the Institute of Macedonian Literature- UKIM, gave the opening speech and addressed all participants, including those from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Bulgaria.

The project, according to her, will help affirm the cultural and historic heritage recorded in the wider Skopje area, and part of the European Cultural Route.

Deputy Minister of European Affairs Viktorija Trajkov said that cultural routes are pillars in the Council of Europe's mission that function in the direction of discovering and affirming the diverse cultural heritage in Europe, as a common value that connects people and different locations through the modalities of shared cultural heritage.

"The Ministry of European Affairs considers cultural routes as a segment of a wider network that allows for convergence between global, national, regional, local, and international institutions with a wide range of activities and economic operators. Our country's participation in the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius project will contribute to the significant tourist, cultural, and scientific promotion of Cyril and Methodius' heritage, which through the richness of forms is reflected on Macedonian soil," Trajkov noted.

The Cyril and Methodius cultural heritage has a long tradition in the Macedonian territorial on a diachronic and synchronic plan, recorded in both material and immaterial culture, thus this projects is expected to contribute to its scientific, cultural, and tourist promotion. It will also uncover the decade-old cult of Cyril and Methodius that has existed in the wider Skopje.

The project plans to promote monuments dedicated to the Holy Brothers, such as the Cyril and Methodius University, National & University Library St. Clement of Ohrid, the large number of monuments in the center of Skopje, depictions of saints in the fresco painting of Skopje monasteries and churches, such as the Matka Monastery, dating from the 14th century, and Skopje's St. Clement of Ohrid Cathedral Church.

An exhibition of photographs and a map of the routes of the Saints in the 9th century also took place as part of the conference. ssh/ba/

Photo: MIA