The Slavic and Macedonian Enlighteners St. Cyril and Methodius Honored in Beijing

The Day of the Slavic Enlighteners St. Cyril and Methodius, celebrated on May 24, was celebrated over the weekend at an event with a rich cultural program at the Macedonian Embassy in Beijing. A few days earlier the Macedonian ambassador to the Chinese capital, Sasko Nasev, delivered a lecture at the University of Foreign Studies in Beijing, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the standards of the Macedonian language. These activities are within the framework of cultural diplomacy used to bring the Chinese and Macedonian people together, through mutual acquaintance with their cultures

Rich cultural heritage creates a bridge between Macedonia and China

Blaze Koneski’s « Vesilica » verses these days in Beijing, at some point, seemed to shorten the distance of thousands of kilometers between China and Macedonia. Macedonian song has aroused emotions and interest between the Macedonians and the Chinese, as well as among other guests present in its recitation at the Macedonian Embassy in Beijing, while showing the power of culture to connect peoples. The performance of « Vesilica » was part of an event held at the Macedonian Embassy in Beijing at the occasion of the Day of the Slavic Enlighteners St. Cyril and Methodius, which is celebrated on May 24. A few days earlier the Macedonian Ambassador to China, Sasko Nasev, delivered a lecture at the University of Foreign Studies in Beijing, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the codification of the standard Macedonian language.
– Now is the time for integration between civilizations. The door to the rich cultural heritage opens to create a bridge between Macedonia and China – said Ambassador Nasev when addressing the University of Foreign Studies in Beijing on the subject « Macedonian Contemporary Drama and Poetry ».
After lecturing the Macedonian career diplomat, the attendees expressed interest in learning more about the works and activity of Vojdan Chernodrinski, Vasil Iljoski, Anton Panov, Risto Krle, Blaze Koneski, Goran Stefanovski, Venko Andonovski…, with whose content he briefly met them. The moment when Ambassador Nasev, along with several Chinese students, also showed attention, showing what the « hard » dance looks like.
The Chinese’s desire to understand foreign cultures is observed daily in Beijing, where all the world nations are probably present, which I have been convinced of myself on several occasions, when they ask me about the Macedonian language when listening, as well as the state I come from. Such curiosity was particularly expressed in events dedicated to the Macedonian language and culture in Beijing.

« I like the way culture is going through the communication between people, » said a Chinese student among those present at the Macedonian Embassy.
On that occasion, students of Macedonian language from the University of Foreign Studies in Beijing recited the verses of « letters » by Gane Todorovski, « Glagolitic » by Ante Popovski, while students and professors from the International School « Finghua » and the British School in Beijing were saying the verses of  » and the « difficult » by Koneski. Some of the songs were recited in several world languages, including Chinese, English and Spanish.
The event was enriched with the musical performance of « Macedonian Girl » on the trumpet by Adam Matejk of the United States, as well as with traditional Chinese dance. And the guests, including representatives of the diplomatic corps, the business and the scientific community, had the opportunity to try traditional specialties from the Macedonian cuisine, as well as Macedonian wine. The moderator of the two events dedicated to the Macedonian language and literature was Renata Penchova, a lecturer who teaches at the University of Foreign Studies in Beijing, where the Macedonian language is also studied.
Just as the stitches evaporated from the heart embrace a song in Koneski’s verses, so they can create an invisible thread that will additionally connect the Chinese and Macedonian people through cultural diplomacy and within the activities of the Macedonian Embassy in Beijing.

Professor Ma Shishu: I will continue with efforts to deepen the friendship between Macedonia and China

The address of the university professor and scientist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Ma Shishu, 88, who is considered the most famous Chinese Balkanist and Macedonian, who received his doctorate at the UKIM Institute of History in Skopje in 1985.
– I’m very happy to be here. And about 20 years ago I attended activities of the Macedonian Embassy in Beijing. I hope that with the support of the Macedonian Embassy we will have many more occasions to find out more about Macedonia. I am very happy to be the first Chinese to win the title of Doctor of Science at the University of Cyril and Methodius in Skopje. I worked on the doctoral dissertation from 1982 to 1985 and I am really grateful for the support of Macedonia and the Macedonian people at the time. I am 88, but I will continue with efforts to deepen the friendship between Macedonia and China – Professor Ma Shishu said. M.F.