Prespa, 20 January 2023 (MIA) – The Ministry of Culture has begun activities for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the building of the old “Dimitar Vlahov” school in Ljubojno and its transformation into a center for the promotion of the Macedonian language, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski during a visit to the Prespa region on Friday.

“I will quote the great Koneski and say ‘As long as we keep, cherish and protect our Macedonian language, we can believe that we have a homeland. As a house, as a home, as a hearth.’ This old school in Ljubojno, too, a centuries-old cradle of the use of the Macedonian language, the second school in the country, where classes in Macedonian began after World War II, affirms the remark of our linguistic visionary Blazhe Koneski, but also the belief of Kocho Racin, Slavko Janevski, Aco Shopov, and a number of other writers – that the active use of the Macedonian language is its greatest promotion. The Macedonian teachers who educated a number of generations in Macedonian knew that, and we know it today as well,” said PM Kovachevski.

By taking care of these buildings, which are a part of our linguistic and cultural heritage, said the PM, we are sending a message that this Government is determined to protect and affirm the Macedonian language at home and in the world.

“Today, the term Macedonian language is used clearly and explicitly in official statements of European leaders and representatives of the international community. The Macedonian language is equally represented, together with all other European languages in the EU, after its officialization in the UN. The Frontex agreement, signed in Macedonian, is proof of that. Additionally, the entire European acquis is being prepared for translation into Macedonian. Here, in the Prespa region, when we signed the agreement with which we ensured our NATO membership, thus securing the borders of our country, we committed ourselves to full protection of the Macedonian language and our unique Macedonian identity as well. And today, it is clear to everyone that we are fulfilling our promise,” said the PM.

The government, said Kovachevski, is actively continuing its commitment to our historical and cultural heritage, which defines us and determines us as a people and a country. ad/ik/