Respected President of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts,
Distinguished members of the Academy,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

 
In the year when we celebrate two decades of the Republic of Macedonia’s independence, we also mark a century of the birth of Academician Mihail Petrushevski, one of the pivotal Macedonian science and culture persons of the 20th century. He deserves this prominence due to his scientific work, but also as a man of public life, primarily in the sphere of high education, university education.

 
As a scientist, Petrushevski very early became recognized by his high qualities, not only in the Macedonian but also in the world science. For his discoveries in Mycenaeanology discussed the World Congress, for his writings in Aristotle’s “Poetics” he received recognitions from foreign experts. In our society, his scientific achievements set high standards and parameters, according to which the values are measured, not only in the classics, but also in many other social sciences in our country.

 
It is well known to our university community that Academician Petrushevski was one of the founders of the University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius”. He was the first Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, being the first faculty in founding of the University.

 
Showing interest in research and nurturing of our ancient heritage at a high scientific level, Academician Petrushevski founded the Institute of Classical Philology at the Faculty of Philosophy, where for already 65 years professional staff is being educated, exploring the ancient culture in general, and the role and impact it has on our region in particular.

 
With his vision, at the outset, he indicated the scientific areas of strategic interest for our science and culture, and was committed to studying the scientific disciplines of great importance for the Macedonian people: national history, Macedonian language, pedagogy, classical studies, as well as some natural sciences with particular relevance at that time.

 
As a classical philologist by education, he had a special feeling for the meaning of that science for us, here in Macedonia, the soil where ancient culture left deep traces and thus became an indelible part of our cultural identity.

His work is especially important today when we live at a time when globalization accelerated by modern technologies is changing the world, connecting cultures, but also contributes many languages and cultures to fall into oblivion. Of course, the Macedonian language is not threatened, but it is not a justification to care less for our own language. I believe there are good reasons for it. Some say that the Macedonian language is not rich enough, that it lacks many words. This may be true for the technical, technological and information areas, but not for the everyday word. And it was Michael Petrushevski who gave us the best argument in this direction.

With a developed sense of national values, he started to translate into Macedonian language the greatest monuments of ancient literature - Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey”. I will mention only one example. Enumerating the Trojan allies, Petrushevski translated from Old Greek language Homer’s verses:

“Priam's son, great Hector of the gleaming helmet, commanded the Trojans, and with him were arrayed by far the greater number and most valiant of those who were longing for the fray.

…
Hippothous led the tribes of Pelasgian spearsmen, who dwelt in fertile Larissa- Hippothous, and Pylaeus of the race of Mars, two sons of the Pelasgian Lethus, son of Teutamus.

…
Pyraechmes led the Paeonian archers from distant Amydon, by the broad waters of the river Axius, the fairest that flow upon the earth.”

 
The skill with which he performed the translation contributed to the recognition of the expressive possibilities of the Macedonian language, and for its affirmation in the world. Is this not an example of extremely pure, rich and lyrical Macedonian language? An example we should follow. I believe that we will be able to fulfill the pledge of academician Petrushevski and promote the Macedonian language.

 
We are obliged to do that by his deeds, we are obliged by our ancestors but, above all, we are obliged by the upcoming generations to which we must pass the living and the unique Macedonian language.

 
Thank you.