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President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”–Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj participated in the Schleswig-Holstein Dialogue on Strengthening Social Cohesion and Protecting Minority Rights in the Western Balkans

The Schleswig-Holstein – Western Balkans Dialogue, focused on strengthening social cohesion, inclusive governance, and the protection of national minority rights, was held at the Akademiezentrum Sankelmark in Oeversee, Federal Republic of Germany, from November 1 to 4, 2026.

The event brought together high-level representatives from Germany, Denmark, and countries of the Western Balkans—including Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia. The core themes of the dialogue centered on exchanging experiences, sharing best practices, and promoting international cooperation regarding the protection of minority rights.

The sole representative from the Republic of Albania was Nikolla Gjurgjaj, President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”–Tirana and a representative of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania. His participation represented an important opportunity for the international recognition of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania, as well as for representing its interests and perspectives in discussions regarding equality, inter-ethnic dialogue, and social cohesion.

Photo: The Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden”

High-level participants included Bekim Sali, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia; Agon Ferati, Minister for Inter-Community Relations of the Republic of Macedonia; Dirk Schroedter, Head of the State Chancellery and Minister for Digitalization of Schleswig-Holstein; Johannes Kalsen, Commissioner for National Minorities of Schleswig-Holstein; Nenad Rashić, Minister for Communities and Returns of the Republic of Kosovo; and Elbert Krasniqi, Minister of Local Government Administration of the Republic of Kosovo.

The dialogue showcased successful practices from the region, including the establishment of an Office of the Commissioner for National Minorities in Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the creation of a platform for dialogue between the Municipality of Tetovo and Roma organizations. The Schleswig-Holstein – Western Balkans Dialogue was organized in cooperation with the Minority Competence Network of Schleswig-Holstein and Southern Denmark (MKN), implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), with the support of the State of Schleswig-Holstein.

President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, met with Parthenij, Bishop of Antania and Abbot of the “St. John the Baptist” Monastery – Bigorski Monastery

President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, visited the Bigorski Monastery.

During the visit, Gjurgjaj met with Parthenij, Bishop of Antania and Abbot of the “St. John the Baptist” Monastery – Bigorski Monastery.

“It is always a special pleasure for me to meet with Parthenij, Bishop of Antania and Abbot of the Bigorski Monastery, as well as with the fathers of the Holy Bigorski Monastery,” said Gjurgjaj.

Gjurgjaj reported that the meeting covered the challenges faced by Macedonians in Albania, as well as the activities of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana.

During the cordial conversation, a shared commitment was expressed toward fostering cooperation and continuing the support that the Bigorski Monastery provides to churches in areas of Albania inhabited by Macedonians.

“The Bigorski Monastery remains an important source of support for Macedonians in Albania, and our goal is for this cooperation to continue and be further promoted,” emphasized Gjurgjaj.

President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Gjurgjaj participated in a meeting of the Slavic minorities working group in Europe during the FUEN congress

President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj participated today in a working meeting of the FUEN Working Group of Slavic Minorities (AGSM) during the congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), currently being held in Helsinki, Finland.

“On behalf of the Macedonian Association ‘Ilinden’-Tirana, I gave a presentation regarding the Macedonians in the Republic of Albania,” said Gjurgjaj.

Nikolla Gjurgjaj, President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, and Dr. Hartmut Leipner, Chair of the FUEN Working Group of Slavic Minorities (AGSM).

Photo: Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden”

Dr. Hartmut Leipner, Chair of the FUEN Working Group of Slavic Minorities (AGSM), expressed his appreciation for the successful organization of the seminar in Tirana by the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana.

The seminar in Tirana was one of the most significant events and served as an important promotion of the Macedonian national minority. The seminar and the activities of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana were the focus of today’s meeting, which is traditionally held as part of every FUEN congress. The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”–Tirana has been a member of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) since May 16, 2015, and is part of the Working Group of Slavic Minorities.

The Working Group of Slavic Minorities in Europe comprises 32 organizations that are full members of FUEN.

Gjurgjaj at the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN): We represent the interests of the Macedonian national minority in Albania

Chairman of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj represents the organization at the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), which is being held from today until September 20 in Helsinki, Finland, where he represents the interests of the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania.

Nikolla Gjurgjaj, Chairman of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, represents the organization at the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), which is being held from today until September 20 in Helsinki, Finland, where he represents the interests of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania.

It is an honor and privilege for me, as the President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, to represent the organization at the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), to be held in Helsinki, Finland, from September 17 to 20, 2026. For eleven years, as an equal member of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), we have actively participated in the work of this European organization and represent the interests of the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania, writes Gjurgjaj in his Facebook post.

This, he adds, serves as an opportunity to gain new experiences, strengthen cooperation with minorities across Europe, and promote Macedonian identity, language, culture, and traditions. “We proudly represent the Macedonian National Minority from the Republic of Albania at the European level,” states Gjurgjaj’s Facebook post.

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj at the meeting with the Mayor of Prilep, Dejan Prodanoski

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Gjurgjaj and the Mayor of Prilep, Prodanoski discussed the promotion of cooperation

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikola Gjurgjaj, at the meeting with the Mayor of Prilep, Dejan Prodanoski, discussed the support that this municipality can provide for the society and the promotion of cooperation in the field of culture.

It was an honor and pleasure for me to have a cordial meeting with the mayor. I immediately introduced him to the problems that Macedonians are facing, as well as the activities of the society. I received strong support for the association, within the capabilities of the local government, announced Gjurgjaj. He added that they exchanged opinions on the cooperation in the cultural field, with performances by Macedonian folklore groups from Albania in Prilep and vice versa.

I also thanked him for his care for the Macedonian pupils and students from Albania, who are studying in the educational institutions in Prilep, adds Gjurgjaj.

He donated to Prodanoski copies of the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden”, which is “the main and important messenger that informs about the activities, problems and issues of the Macedonians in Albania”.

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj met with the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, His Beatitude Mr. Stefan

His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, Mr. Stefan, received today in his office Nikolla Gjurgjaj, President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana.

It was a great pleasure and honor, on behalf of the association and the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania, to personally present him with the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude. In a friendly and cordial conversation, the mutual willingness to promote cooperation was expressed.

Chairman of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj informed His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, Mr. Stefan, about the situation and challenges faced by members of the Macedonian National Minority in Albania, as well as about the activities and current engagement of the association.

I expressed great gratitude for the honor of meeting and talking with His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, Mr. Stefan, and on this occasion, I also gave him copies of the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” and the Brochure of the Working Group of Slavic Minorities (AGSM) in FUEN in Macedonian, emphasized Gjurgjaj.

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj presented the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude to Ljupco Zlatev, editor of Lider

On the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, the President of the Association, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, personally presented the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude for the year 2026 to Ljupco Zlatev, editor of Lider, at the premises of Radio Lider in Skopje, Macedonia.

“It was a special honor for me, on behalf of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana and the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania, to personally present the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude for the year 2026 to Ljupço Zlatev, editor of Lider from Skopje,” said Gjurgjaj.

The “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude is awarded by the Macedonian Association “Ilinden” Tirana in recognition of a special contribution to the affirmation and support of the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania and the activities of the association.

With his professional work, commitment and dedication in informing the public about the issues and challenges faced by the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania, Ljupço Zlatev has made a significant contribution to the preservation, promotion and advancement of the Macedonian national identity, language, culture and tradition.

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana congratulated Zlatev on the award, wishing him good health, many successes and greater achievements in his further professional and social activities.

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj participated in the opening ceremony of the international conference “Dialogue for Unity and Peace 2026” in Skopje

On June 23, 2026, at the invitation of the Cabinet of the former President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and the International Center Alliance of Civilizations, the President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, participated in the opening ceremony of the international conference “Dialogue for Unity and Peace 2026”, which was held in Skopje.

The conference was organized by the Cabinet of the former President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, the International Center Alliance of Civilizations and the Alumni Association of the President Ivanov School for Young Leaders.

The event represented an important platform for promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, unity and peace, through the exchange of ideas and experiences among participants from different countries and areas.

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”–Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj met with Dimitar Bogeski, Director of the State Archives of Macedonia

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”–Tirana, within the framework of program activities, met with Dimitar Bogeski, Director of the State Archives of Macedonia.

At the meeting, we discussed the role and importance of archival activity, as well as the possibilities for further cooperation in terms of preserving, affirming and promoting the Macedonian historical and cultural heritage of Macedonians in the Republic of Albania.

He added that the meeting took place in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, with a shared determination to deepen cooperation in mutual interest. It is emphasized that the Association was formed on February 6, 2009 and registered at the Basic Court in Tirana, with the aim of protecting and affirming the ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and historical identity of Macedonians in Albania, a mission that continues with unabated momentum.

Certificate of Appreciation for the President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj from the Agency for Support of Civil Society of Albania for his commitment

The Agency for Support of Civil Society of Albania awarded the President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, a certificate of appreciation for his contribution to the National Council for Civil Society.

I would like to express my gratitude for the certificate of appreciation from the Agency for Support of Civil Society of Albania, which I consider as a result of my commitment, stated Gjurgjaj.

Macedonians in the Republic of Albania have had a representative in the National Council for Civil Society for the first time since 2021, an institution established by the Government in 2015.

As a member of the National Council for Civil Society from June 2021 to January 2026, it was an honor, but also a responsibility, to be the only minority representative in this institution. It was a great obligation for me to represent the voice and interests of minorities with dignity, responsibility and dedication, says Gjurgjaj.