The President of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU), Zhivko Popov, stated that the fight to preserve the Macedonian language is ongoing and faces threats both internationally and domestically. He emphasized the need for continued efforts to protect the language before international human rights institutions, citing obstacles related to agreements with neighboring countries and unequal respect for the language within the country.

Popov’s remarks were made during the 80th-anniversary celebration of the codification of the Macedonian standard language. He argued that the officialization of the Macedonian language is a natural progression rooted in its historical continuity and dialectal richness.

According to Popov, the dialectal diversity within the Macedonian language enriches its literature and standard form, solidifying its unique position and long history within the Slavic language family. This uniqueness, he noted, attracts significant interest from the international linguistic community.

Popov also addressed challenges to the Macedonian language within the country. He expressed concern that the language is not equally respected throughout its territory. He also noted that the Law on the Macedonian Language was passed late, requiring greater effort from state institutions for its proper implementation. Popov voiced hope that the Constitutional Court would ensure the proper use of the Macedonian language as an official language, promoting understanding among all citizens, aligning with international regulations and EU aspirations.

MANU, in collaboration with institutions like the Institute for the Macedonian Language and the Department of Macedonian Language at UKIM, is actively working to enrich and improve the Macedonian literary language. Popov highlighted the enduring relevance of Blaze Koneski’s work, urging future generations to continue nurturing, studying, and affirming the Macedonian language as a cornerstone of identity and culture.