Earlier today (13 August 2012), in Ohrid, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Nikola Poposki, officially opened the first Summer Camp for children belonging to the Macedonian national minority living in countries neighbouring the Republic of Macedonia. 

This event is part of the project of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia called “Far away, yet close” and its main goal is to raise the level of proficiency in the Macedonian language among persons belonging to the Macedonian national minority living in neighbouring countries and among the Macedonian communities in the Diaspora.  This year, the Summer Camp is organized at the Congress Centre Hotel, in Ohrid and will last until 19 August. The Summer Camp should help improve the knowledge of the mother tongue among children of the target group and enhance the unity of Macedonians in neighbouring countries.

The Macedonian language classes will be taught by a Macedonian language professor from the Goce Delcev State University, in Stip. In addition to classes, children attending the Summer Camp will be able to see and get better acquainted with the cultural - historical heritage in Ohrid and its surroundings. Furthermore, they will attend a theatre performance, part of the Ohrid Summer Festival and will be shown documentaries about the history of Macedonia and of the Macedonian people. This program of events is aimed at promoting the cultural achievements of the Republic of Macedonia, and more importantly at strengthening the cultural and national identity of Macedonians living outside the borders of the Republic of Macedonia.  

It is planned to make this Summer Camp a traditional event, to be organized every year, gathering the best students attending various types of Macedonian language courses in the neighbouring countries and in the Diaspora.