Distinguished participants, dear guests,
It is my special honor and great pleasure to have this opportunity to attend the opening of the 45th Summer School of the International Seminar on Macedonian Language, Literature and Culture organized by the University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” - Skopje. Thanks to this event, more than four decades, Macedonian language, literature and culture experience promotion and popularization among many participants coming from different parts of the world. Through this event, every year there are dozens and dozens of new admirers and lovers of the Republic of Macedonia and its culture, literature and language. Practically, with each participant, the Republic of Macedonia has a new friend and supporter who promotes further the Macedonian language, literature and culture.

Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is not necessary to talk much about the meaning of affirmation of the language and the culture for one country, one nation. They are the pillars of the identity of one nation, of one society. They are the means by which people are self-identified, by which they communicate with all the others, by which their existence and survival is confirmed. Irrational are the attempts in the 21st century to negate, deny and attack identity, language, culture. Unfortunately we, the Macedonian language, identity and culture, are facing such challenges such attempts. However, those are absolutely unsustainable and absurd attempts. For one’s own language, own identity, nobody in this world today talks to anyone, requires or expects approval and recognition. Whether this is appealing to someone or not, they are a reality, they exist, are nurtured and affirmed. They can only be ascertained and respected. Any attempt to negate, deny cannot change reality.

Dear guests,
At the beautiful Ohrid Lake, the place which is recognized as the Macedonian and European sanctuary, about eighty participants from 20 countries this year will speak the Macedonian language.

Often, when I am at the Ohrid Lake, I simply must stress that the thought born in this region is a thought freed from restraints and boundaries. A thought that is not tainted by materialism and egoism, but a thought filled with spirituality and humanism. Such a thought, such energy is also woven in our language, the language spoken by millions of Macedonians in Macedonia and abroad, the language spoken loud by thousands of our friends worldwide.

Blaze Koneski said that the language is our spiritual homeland. Homeland open to any visitor with positive attitude, to each guest and to everyone. The obligation to preserve and nurture our language is not just a debt to our ancestors and our descendants, it is not an obligation only to all Macedonians. It is an obligation and debt to all participants of this summer school and to all those who love, respect and cherish the Macedonian language. Indeed, it is an obligation and debt to the cultural heritage of human civilization, to the essence of human existence.

Distinguished guests,
Exactly you, with your interest in learning the Macedonian language, with your motivation and desire to study it, are real ambassadors of the Republic of Macedonia over the world. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for all your effort and commitment. At the end, let me wish you successful work during the summer school and certainly a pleasant stay in the Republic of Macedonia.

Thank you.