President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova addressed today the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the opening of the first American Corner in Skopje.
In her address, President Siljanovska-Davkova said that the American Corner is an opportunity, above all, for young people to be in contact with the American culture, but also the American values, to learn English, to know the meaning of volunteering, media literacy, and even security. She stressed that the American Corner is one of the symbols or centers of Macedonian-American friendship and partnership, a significant indicator of mutual understanding and respect, cooperation that focuses on young people as leaders in all areas as future drivers of social relations and changes.
Below is the integral text of President Siljanovska-Davkova’s address.
Your Excellency, Ambassador of the United States of America, Angela Aggeler,
Distinguished Representatives of the American Corner, Professors,
Respected Mayor of the Municipality of Center, Mr. Goran Gerasimovski,
Distinguished Guests,
It is an honor to greet you on the occasion of the celebration of such a significant anniversary as the opening of the first American Corner that took place 20 years ago in Skopje. This small but important point will then spread like a cultural contagion to other cities throughout the Republic in the best way, justifying the idea of such a generous gesture by the U.S. Embassy in the country.
The American Corner is an opportunity, above all, for young people to be in contact with American culture, but also American values, to learn English, to know the meaning of volunteerism, media literacy, and even security. Former Fulbright scholarship recipients also meet here and directly share their American experiences.
I will quote a verse from the great Walt Whitman, whose poetic greatness is known globally: “The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem,” says the poet, emphasizing that both poetry and democracy draw their power from their ability to create a unified whole from different parts. Those different parts, different cultures and traditions can also meet here in the American Corner where, above all, young people exchange opinions, ideas, learn about others, delve into the essence of multiculturalism or globalism. We are grateful that through this center we can become acquainted with the multifaceted nature of a great culture such as the American one.
Whitman’s message is visionary, but certainly also missionary, because it is not intended only for the American nation, at least that is how we read it in the 21st century, and it is the American Corner that gives us here the opportunity to encounter American culture and the values of American democracy.
Our country recognized that importance and therefore from the very beginning actively joined in supporting this significant project. It is no coincidence that it has successfully existed for 20 years and has room to continue to live and develop. I would say the mission is successful, but it is not over, because when we look back at everything that happened in those small rooms from which the broad and noble idea of sharing values was transmitted, our gaze is directed towards the future. Those who come here have something to hear, but of course they also have something to say. That interaction is the driving force and from it new ideas will emerge that, I am confident, will be incorporated into the foundations of the American Corner.
A nation is not great just because it is big or rich or powerful, but to what extent it has managed to free people and incorporate their creativity into society. We strive for this and this strength, which Lyndon Johnson emphasized in a speech, I also recognize in the activities of the American Corner.
Finally, I would like to emphasize that if we want to single out symbols or centers of Macedonian-American friendship and partnership, of course, the American Corner is one of them, a significant indicator of mutual understanding and respect, and the need for cooperation in which the focus is on young leaders in all areas as future drivers of social relations and changes. I congratulate you on your anniversary and wish you further successful work. May the success story continue to develop!
Thank you.