Kraków, 28 January 2025 (MIA) – President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova, during her stay in Poland, visited Jagiellonian University in Kraków, one of Europe’s oldest universities founded in the 14th century.

On Monday, she met with Macedonian and Slavic studies scholars from Poland, where she was briefed on the history and work of the Macedonian Language Department, the interest of Polish students in learning the Macedonian language, and their activities promoting Macedonian language and culture. The Macedonian studies scholars underlined their partnership with the International Seminar on Macedonian Language, Literature and Culture at the SS. Cyril and Methodius University, and their efforts to strengthen cultural and educational ties between the two countries.

“To be at one of Europe’s oldest universities, founded in the 14th century, and to see it so full of life is truly a Copernican inspiration,” Siljanovska Davkova said. She underscored her commitment to intensifying cooperation, establishing a cultural center and supporting translations and other projects.

“The clock behind me shows the founders of this university, and what I have heard today convinces me that we need a major Polish – Macedonian step forward in cooperation,” she said, adding that four universities, at various levels of education, are involved in both Slavic and Macedonian studies.

As the patron of the International Seminar on Macedonian Language and Culture, I pledge to do everything necessary to enhance cooperation. It has been emphasized multiple times that a cultural center should be established. This includes continuing translations between Polish and Macedonian, supporting joint projects, including one related to refugee children. Such efforts mark a new era, providing opportunities for anthropological research, such as those on Macedonian Muslims, which show great potential. Therefore, I sincerely thank the Polish Slavic and Macedonian studies scholars for all they have done so far in promoting the Macedonian language and culture. I propose that we move beyond distances and take Copernican steps forward, because I truly believe that this place, the Jagiellonian University, along with representatives from other Polish universities, holds great potential in terms of understanding, relativizing languages, and the building of a shared culture, Siljanovska Davkova said.

Alongside Copernicus, the university’s distinguished alumni include heads of state such as King John III Sobieski, Pope John Paul II, and Polish President Andrzej Duda. Four Nobel laureates are associated with the university, all in literature: Ivo Andrić and Wisława Szymborska, who studied there, and Czesław Miłosz and Olga Tokarczuk, who taught at the institution.

President Siljanovska Davkova also visited Collegium Maius museum, and signed the guestbook. A wood carving featuring Macedonian designs was her gift to the university, which, in turn, she was presented with a replica of the Jagiellonian globe.

Photo: MIA