The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, received today in Villa Biljana in Ohrid, this year's laureate, the South Korean poet Ko Un, who won the prize "Golden Wreath" and the organizers of the 53rd edition of the Struga Poetry Evenings.

The Macedonian President congratulated this year's laureate, Mr. Ko Un, the award "Golden Wreath", being one of the world's most prestigious awards, which is also the highest recognition for his overall poetic activity.

"The written word is a pillar of different identities that make up the great mosaic of cultural values of the past, present and future. The Struga Poetry Evenings reflect the centuries-old cultural tradition of this town and the Republic of Macedonia, a bridge that connects languages, cultures and history from all meridians. This world poetry event offers new opportunities for cultural, political and economic cooperation between the countries," President Ivanov said.

This year's laureate, Mr. Ko Un, thanked the Macedonian President for the honor, sharing impressions of his stay in the country as inspiration for further intensification of the communication between the Republic of Macedonia and South Korea in all spheres of mutual interest.

"I am impressed by many things in Macedonia, the beauty of Struga, Ohrid and the Ohrid Lake, the success of the Struga Poetry Evenings. What delights the most is the Macedonian culture, the model of coexistence and respect for diversity, which the Macedonian people cherish through the centuries and today. It deserves admiration," the South Korean poet, Mr. Ko Un, said.

The Macedonian President welcomed the participants and organizers of the Struga Poetry Evenings expressing an expectation that the successful realization of this supreme international cultural event will continue in the future, because it is essential for the presentation of the Macedonian and world poetry, as well as for enriching our culture and affirmation of the Republic of Macedonia in the world.

This year's 53rd edition of Struga Poetry Evenings is held from 21 to 26 August and will bring together some 120 poets, including fifty from abroad, from 34 different countries. A novelty introduced this year which will be regularly practiced is the poetic portrait of three significant Macedonian authors. Bogomil Gjuzel, Radovan Pavlovski and Vlada Urosevic are chosen for this year. Along with UNESCO, the award "Bridges of Struga" will be presented, and one of the most important releases this year will be the Slovak poetry anthology.