Macedonians in Albania make history: Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana organizes 29th AGSM seminar at FUEN on Slavic minorities in Europe

Macedonians in Albania make history: Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana organizes 29th AGSM seminar at FUEN on Slavic minorities in Europe.

The 29th Seminar of Slavic Minorities in Europe will be held in the Republic of Albania for the first time. The 29th Seminar of the Working Group of Slavic Minorities (AGSM) at FUEN will be held from 4 to 7 June in the capital of Albania, Tirana.

The meeting is organized by FUEN in cooperation with FUEN member organization, Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana. The seminar will bring together representatives of Slavic minorities from all over Europe and will provide a space for exchange, networking and internal consultations.

In 2026, the AGSM also celebrates its 30th anniversary. The fact that the annual seminar is held in Albania for the first time during this anniversary year is of particular importance for the working group and its Chair Dr. Hartmut Leipner, who is also Vice-Chair of FUEN.

This year’s focus will be on the situation of the Macedonian National Minority in Albania, as well as on issues of language, education, cultural identity, political participation and institutional recognition. Furthermore, the seminar will address the role of national minorities in the Western Balkans on the path towards the European Union.

Discussions will focus on the importance of minority rights, the rule of law, cross-border cooperation and social participation for the European perspective of the region. Especially in a diverse region like the Western Balkans, minorities are not only subjects of protection, but also actors of regional dialogue and understanding.

Representatives from minority organizations, politics, administration, academia and civil society are expected to participate in the seminar. In addition to expert contributions and discussions, internal AGSM working sessions are also planned, during which member organizations will report on current developments in their communities and coordinate future activities.

Meetings are also part of the program: participants will gain knowledge about the history of Albania, the current reality and institutional landscape, as well as the traces of minorities in Tirana.

AGSM at FUEN The FUEN Working Group on Slavic Minorities (AGSM) was founded in 1996 and brings together Slavic minority organizations from various European countries. As part of the FUEN network, it offers its members a platform for exchange, cooperation and joint representation of interests. The annual seminar series takes place every year in a different region with a Slavic minority and provides insights into the situation of the respective community on the ground.