Sofia, 7 June 2024 (MIA) - A literary portrait of contemporary Macedonian poet, writer, essayist, translator, university professor and academician Vlada Uroshevikj opened the 15th Macedonian Literary Visit on Thursday evening at the Macedonian Cultural Information Center in Sofia, with the goal of affirming Macedonian literature in neighboring Bulgaria and deepening the literary and cultural ties between the two countries.

At the event, university professor Lidija Kapushevska-Drakulevska spoke about the work of Uroshevikj, highlighting his significant contribution to the development of contemporary Macedonian literature.

“We live in a world that represents a kind of symphony of fear and terror and while Uroshevikj has no illusions over the power of poetry to prevent dehumanization in today’s world and the current turbulence on a planetary scale – wars, refugee crises, environmental catastrophe, monstrous experiments in biotechnological and computer labs etc. – he believes in the ‘hidden power’ of poetry and the prophetic role of the poet,” Kapushevska-Drakulevska said. 

In a press release, publisher Makavej said poems by Uroshevikj were presented at the event in both Macedonian and Bulgarian. At the event, Uroshevikj highlighted the irreplaceable role of the Macedonian Literary Visit as a bridge bringing Macedonian and Bulgarian writers closer, and an event that uniquely popularizes Macedonian literature in Bulgaria.

As part of the event the award “Macedonian Literary Deadalus” was posthumously awarded to Bulgarian writer Alek Popov, who, organizers said, “left a lasting mark in the friendship of the two cultures and peoples” through his literary ties and cooperation with Macedonian literature and culture. 

Photo: Makavej