The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of establishment, awarded the “Charter of the Republic of Macedonia” to the Writers’ Association of Macedonia for the results achieved in its long-term activity for preservation and enhancement of the Macedonian literary and cultural achievements and for affirmation of the Macedonian literature in the world.

Dear members of the Writers’ Association of Macedonia, Dear Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, it was the word, the word that was creating. The Slav saints and educators, the brothers Cyril and Methodius and their disciples Clement and Naum of Ohrid were aware of the power of the word. The Macedonian reformist Pejcinovic, Puleski and Miladinovci Prlicev Shapkarev and Cepenkov were aware of the power of the national word. Misirkov and Koneski were aware of the power of literary language. Indeed, it was Misirkov who, nearly a century ago, wrote that “sympathy for the national language is our duty and our right. We are obliged to be loyal to our language because it is ours as our homeland is”.

If language is our homeland, then we need to constantly nurture, develop and promote it, with the same dedication as for the homeland - willingly and constantly, not waiting for someone to try to erase, challenge and problematize the thing that our identity is based on. In that sense, Dimitar Miladinov once said: “They reproach our language and call it barbaric, one of the oldest and richest languages”, thus leaving us a covenant “... first we should learn as much as possible thoughts and ideas of our language and then learn other languages”.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
I believe that the mission of the Writers’ Association of Macedonia is in the fulfillment of this covenant: to ensure development of the Macedonian language by artistic speech creation; to be a binding bridge between all literary artists from Macedonia, regardless of their ethnic or linguistic background; to be a linking bridge Macedonian and world literature.

I assure you that your role has never been more important than today, when we live in a period of accelerated globalization that constantly changes the world, by linking, but also melting nations, cultures and languages. Although the Macedonian language is not in the category of endangered languages, it must not be, however, an excuse for us to change our attitude towards it.

Since its establishment in February 1947, the Writers’ Association has brought together the most important Macedonian literary names. With their lyrics, songs, stories and novels many generations grew up and were educated. Through their, through your written word, many generations of readers got familiar with their homeland Macedonia, developed their ideas, built their lives. Therefore, I can proudly say that the Writers’ Association throughout these 65 years and through the hundreds of knights of the language has given immeasurable contribution to Macedonia.

Nevertheless, your contribution does not end at the borders of our homeland. Initiating the Struga Poetry Evenings more than half a century ago, you enabled, the city of bridges, our poetic capital, become the bridge that binds poets from all meridians.

Having all this in mind, as President of the Republic of Macedonia, I made a decision to award this institution with the “Charter of the Republic of Macedonia”. With this recognition, we mark 65 years of successful work, and extend gratitude for every contribution that the Writers’ Association has provided for the enrichment of the Macedonian cultural values and for affirmation of the Republic of Macedonia in the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the end, I wish many decades the Writers’ Association to be the pound of the muses, home to numerous writers and artists from Macedonia and pride of the Macedonian literature and culture.

Thank you.