At the UT today were promoted two books of British authors James Pettifer and Miranda Vickers, “Lakes and Empires in Macedonian History: Contesting the Waters” that was translated by the Director of the Center for Peace and Transcultural Communication of the UT, MSc. Donika Kamberi and the book “The Cham Issue and Greece: the past and the present”. Both works represent a valuable contribution to the historiography of the region and provide a solid foundation for researchers, academics and all those interested in Balkan history. In this promotion were present, the President of the Democratic Union for Integration, Mr. Ali Ahmeti, the Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Prof. Dr. Lulzim Aliu, Secretary General of the Democratic Union for Integration, Faton Ahmeti, Rector, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli, President of the Senate, Prof. Dr. Vullnet Ameti, Secretary General, Adem Beadini, Vice-Rectors, deans, scientific researchers, historians, experts on political issues in the region, professors and students.
Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli said that the University of Tetova has supported without hesitation the request of the Peace Center to translate this work, due to the importance not only for the history of the Prespa region, but also for the role that these lakes and territories have had in the context of the empires that have extended their influence here in a historical period from Byzantium, to the Ottoman Empire, the World Wars, and up to the present days.
“The book details not only the political and territorial battles, but also the ecological and cultural ones, highlighting the ongoing struggle to control the waters and the spaces surrounding them. The lakes of Prespa and Ohrid are not merely natural resources, but represent a rich heritage that has deeply influenced the shaping of the history and identity of the Balkan peoples. The facts and documents presented by the authors in this work are rare and unique. They bring to light episodes of our history that are often not documented in our archives. This makes the book essential for scholars, historians, and anyone interested in the complex history of our region. The translation of this historical work into Albanian allows these facts to be accessible to Albanian readers, contributing to the enrichment of historical literature in our language and expanding the horizons of scientific research,” said, among other things, the Rector of the University of Tetova, Prof. Dr. Jusuf Zejneli.
Deputy Minister of Education and Science in RNM, Prof. Dr. Lulzim Aliu said that he feels privileged to participate in the promotion of two academic works that deal with aspects of the historical and geopolitical importance of our region. He said that the University of Tetova has always been a center of knowledge and intellectual progress and today, being part of this event, we have the opportunity to reflect on the importance of intercultural cooperation and the exchange of knowledge. “The authors’ books provide an important contribution to better understanding the complex history of our region and pave the way for further dialogue within the framework of peace and cooperation. These works help us to understand not only the past but also the challenges of the present and the opportunities for a better future, based on mutual respect and understanding. The Ministry of Education and Science is always committed to supporting initiatives that promote education and science, including activities that advance knowledge and raise cultural awareness,” stated Deputy Minister of Education and Science in North Macedonia, Prof. Dr. Lulzim Aliu.
Meanwhile, MSc. Donika Kamberi, the translator of the book and also the director of the Center for Peace and Transcultural Communication, shared her thoughts on the importance of this translation for the Albanian-speaking public. She emphasized that this book offers a new perspective on the history of North Macedonia and that the purpose of the translation is to make this information more accessible to a broader audience.
Historian Prof. Dr. Dalibor Jovanovski emphasized the importance of this study in the context of understanding the historical and cultural relations that have shaped our country. He discussed the impact of the lakes as vital resources and key factors in the development of various civilizations that have existed in this region.
The authors of the book, James Pettifer and Miranda Vickers, expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the University of Tetova for its support in making this translation a reality and for enabling the study to reach a wider audience. They shared their enthusiasm for collaborating with other scholars, emphasizing the growing interest in the history of North Macedonia and the pivotal role that the lakes play in this context. The promotion of this book is an important step in fostering dialogue on the cultural and historical values of the region, thus encouraging researchers and readers to engage more in this field. The University of Tetova has always served as a platform for the presentation of these important studies that enrich the knowledge of regional history and promote academic dialogue.
