Presentation of the Book “Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia. A Meeting between History and Politics” in the “Writing Diplomats” program of the State Institute for Culture
The State Institute for Culture under the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the Diplomatic Institute and the Publishing House of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences “Prof. Marin Drinov”, organized the first official presentation of the new book by Prof. Angel Dimitrov – “Bulgaria and the Republic of North Macedonia. A Meeting between History and Politics” – part of the program of the Institute “Writing Diplomats”.
The premiere gathered a large audience - representatives of academic and expert circles, diplomats, politicians, researchers, students and journalists.
The event was opened by the Director of the State Institute for Culture, Ms. Snezhana Yoveva-Dimitrova, and the Director of the Diplomatic Institute, Ms. Tanya Mihaylova. In their greetings, they emphasized the importance of in-depth research into the historical and political aspects of Bulgarian-Macedonian relations, especially in the context of contemporary challenges.
The discussion was moderated by the famous journalist and producer of the program "Panorama" on BNT, Boyko Vassilev. It was attended by Assoc. Prof. Mihail Gruev, Director of the State Agency "Archives" and Mr. Angel Angelov, Ambassador at Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of Bulgaria to the Republic of North Macedonia (2018-2024). They commented on the complex intertwining of politics and history in the Republic of North Macedonia and their influence on good neighborly relations with Bulgaria.
Prof. Angel Dimitrov - historian, co-chair of the Joint Commission on Historical and Educational Issues and first Bulgarian Ambassador to Skopje - shared his vision for the book, which analyzes contemporary political processes in the Republic of North Macedonia. He emphasized the challenges related to the historical heritage and ideological doctrines in the political environment of the country.
"Reconciliation is possible if historical, social and political catharsis is achieved. I hope that people have not lost the feeling of closeness to Bulgaria," the author shared.
A video recording of the presentation and an interview with the author can be found here.