World Conference on Dialogue Among Religions and Civilizations:
"The contribution of religion and culture to peace,
mutual respect and cohabitation"

(October 26 - 28, 2007, Ohrid, Republic of Macedonia)

The Republic of Macedonia is located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula, and it represents a crossroad of various cultures, religions and civilizations. Our centuries-long tradition makes us proud to live in a country that was the center of numerous civilization achievements. Throughout the joint history of its many ethnic communities, Macedonia's invaluable cultural heritage and universal values emerged, out of which the younger generations still draw their sense of identity, cultural socialization, and love and respect for their roots and traditions. There are enormous cultural treasures that have yet to be discovered, and this represents an additional challenge for the new generations by which they must cherish and promote their own values and potential. It is exactly the cultural and religious diversity of Macedonia that holds the greatest creative potential – representing a bridge to greater understanding, tolerance, and faith – and which serves as an example of coexistence to all other multiethnic societies.

Ohrid, a UNESCO world heritage site, is of crucial importance for Macedonia. It represents the entire cultural history of our country in a single place: it has been an episcopal seat since antiquity; it was the cradle of Slavic literacy at the end of the 9th and the beginning of the 10th century – where the first university in the Balkans, the University of Ss. Clement and Naum, was established; it was the capital of Samuil's kingdom at the beginning of the 11th century; it was the capital of the throne of the Archbishopric of Ohrid, and at the same time, it was the center of Macedonia’s 19th century renaissance. Today, Ohrid remains the cultural, spiritual and tourism center of Macedonia. The city is said to have as many churches as there are days of the year, a testament to its spiritual and civilization significance in the Balkans and beyond.