President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova addressed the academy today on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Hydrobiological Institute – Ohrid, the oldest Macedonian scientific and research institution, established in 1935 by academician Sinisa Stankovic.
She emphasized the Institute’s irreplaceable role in the study, protection and affirmation of Lake Ohrid, as well as in the preservation of the biodiversity of Lake Prespa and Dojran.
For her, the Hydrobiological Institute is a living witness to human perseverance and striving to penetrate the secrets of nature, providing a generational mission for the preservation of lake ecosystems and at the same time creating scientific thought with an international reputation.
According to her, our imperative must be to preserve and maintain this invaluable living resource. Our water pearls: Lake Ohrid, Lake Prespa and Lake Dojran, are our and the world’s heritage.
She pointed out the necessity of increasing support for the Institute, through additional investments in equipment and staffing, because human resources are the institution’s strongest capital.
The President congratulated the generations of scientists and employees of the Hydrobiological Institute for their sacrifice and dedication, emphasizing that their work is the best example of harmony between man and nature.
“I wish that trout will survive in Lake Ohrid, that Prespa will continue to be a home for rare birds, that Dojran will preserve the fishing spirit, and that your Hydrobiological Institute will celebrate even after the next 90 years”, the President said.
The full text of President Siljanovska-Davkova’s address is below.
Distinguished Participants,
Dear Colleagues,
Dear Minister,
Dear Mayor,
Dear Academician,
Dear Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We have gathered in the beautiful “St. Sophia” church to mark an impressive jubilee – 90 years of scientific life of the Hydrobiological Institute – Ohrid, the oldest Macedonian scientific research institution, founded in the distant 1935 by Academician Sinisa Stankovic.
The Institute is a living witness to human perseverance and success in penetrating the secrets of nature and preserving the invaluable lake wealth, inspiring the relevant scientific community.
As expected, I would first like to pay due recognition to those before you, starting with the famous founding father, the great Sinisa Stankovic. He, but also those around him, founded and built this seemingly modest institution in which generations of scientists and employees grew up, including you, present today.
I wonder – is there a greater professional challenge than to dedicate yourself professionally and passionately to the unique Ohrid Lake, as old as one million and three hundred thousand years, the oldest in Europe, to study it, monitor it, protect it, nurture it, restore it, and even revive it. For me, you are the in vitro fertilizers of the Ohrid trout in your, or rather your incubator – the hatchery, without which this endemic species would disappear from the lake waters.
You introduced me last year to your complex system of functioning. I know you have sophisticated laboratory equipment. I know you own a boat for field work in the lake waters. I know you explore the invisible worlds of microorganisms as well as the magnificent harmony of flora and fauna, unique in the world.
It is clear to me that technology requires constant investment and keeping up to date with the latest technological achievements and innovations. After what I saw and what I learned last year, I am sure that the strongest side of this institution is you, the human resources. Therefore, it is precisely to them that we should pay special attention. The scientific research activity of the Institute can be seen through the 800 and more published papers, as well as through the fruitful educational activity that culminates in postgraduate studies. I know this from your materials from last year.
It is worth noting that you are signatories to more than 50 cooperation agreements with institutions from all over the world and active participants in a number of European and international programs and projects. It is evident that the Hydrobiological Institute has strengthened the position of Macedonian scientific thought in Europe, but also beyond.
It must not be overlooked that the Hydrobiological Institute of Ohrid also takes care of our other water resources, the two other natural lakes, as well as other water surfaces, and as such represents the first line of defense in the fight against climate change, species extinction and water pollution.
It is an open secret that freshwater as a resource is in the focus of the present, and will be crucial in the future. In fact, predictions say that it may, or probably will, be the source of future world conflicts.
But we must not turn a blind eye to the bitter truth about the shadows sometimes hanging over the lake: uncontrolled urbanism, pollution, inadequate wastewater management, the mortal danger to the eel and its obstructed, even impossible path to the Sargasso Sea and back, the cutting of reeds and the destruction of the marsh. We must not ignore all this. The well-being of the lake is not guaranteed in itself, if society and institutions do not take care of it and if they do not fight with it. Let me remind you, if we continue and if we allow the lake to be disturbed and destroyed, we will reach for suicide.
Our imperative must be to preserve and maintain this invaluable living resource.
The Hydrobiological Institute is not only guardian of Lake Ohrid, as I have already mentioned. It is also dedicated to the other two pearls of the Macedonian water treasury: Lake Prespa and Lake Dojran.
Lake Prespa is magnificent to me for its quiet beauty and unique hydrological connection with Lake Ohrid, it is a reservoir of biodiversity and a paradise for rare bird species.
Lake Dojran, on the other hand, with its ancient tradition of fishing and unique biological balance, is an original example of coexistence between nature and man. It must continue.
Aware of the key, irreplaceable role of the Hydrobiological Institute of Ohrid, I appeal and call, and send letters to increase its budget for the purpose of investing in equipment, but also in staffing as the best investment for the further successful work of all its departments that I was introduced to, as an integral part of this institution.
It is our generational obligation to ensure smooth and continuous functioning of the fundamental scientific research and educational activity in the field of biology – limnology, I was taught last year at the Hydrobiological Institute, aware and certain that it will continue to be our representative in science worldwide.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A visit to Ohrid and Lake Ohrid is always an opportunity to immerse yourself in the deep and rich layers of cultural and historical heritage, to enjoy top cultural events such as the Ohrid Summer Festival, Struga Poetry Evenings, Ohrid Marathon, Engineers’ Ring, the numerous ethno and folklore festivals that are always and, nevertheless, only an accompanying content of what is most important and most attractive: his majesty “Ohrid Lake”, the lake above the lakes, sung, painted, described, mourned, loved, adored.
But, for a million and three hundred thousand years of existence, all cultural layers, artistic and architectural achievements, magnificent and beautiful architectural works, some of which are ten centuries old, we and our achievements are just a grain of sand by the lake shore or a lake dale, or a lake wave, a shell or a seagull, a cloud or a moment, a character in the mammoth lake story, an unfinished novel, a lake epic…
In the end, allow me from this sacred, blessed place to emphasize once again: we must take care of and preserve our natural beauties and rarities. They are eternal, they are ours, but also a world heritage and they belong to all of humanity, not just us. Let us make a deal with nature, let us make a deal with Lake Ohrid, and perhaps pass a law for Ohrid, treating it as superior to us, older and more important. Let us protect and preserve it, because through it we protect ourselves. Let us invest in ecology. Let us leave it and its surroundings as we found them and inherited them from previous generations, but also borrowed from future ones.
I wish the trout will survive in Lake Ohrid, Prespa will continue to be a home for rare birds, Dojran will preserve the fishing spirit, and your Hydrobiological Institute will continue to maintain the harmony between man and nature.
I wish the Hydrobiological Institute here, in “St. Sofia” church, will celebrate after the next 90 years!
Let us enjoy the natural beauties, aware of their eternity and our transience.
This anniversary is a reason for pride, but also a reminder of our responsibility, and mine.
Thank you.
