Gostivar Honors the Power and Limitlessness of Poetry – A Literary Event for World Poetry Day

Love for the written word and the art of poetry knows no boundaries—it connects people through a thread of positivity and overcomes all barriers. This was clearly demonstrated at the poetry-themed event held last night in Gostivar, hosted by the ASNOM Cultural Center.

On the stage of the small hall, around twenty poets from Gostivar, representing different generations and ethnic backgrounds, recited their poems. The event was held in honor of World Poetry Day, marked on March 21st.

“We thank you for giving us a beautiful evening. I hope we will have even more wonderful poetry nights like this in the future. As you know, the event was originally planned for March 21st, but due to the tragic incident in Kočani—which you poets would probably describe with one word, ‘irreparable’—we are holding it today instead. I sincerely hope that such a tragedy will never be repeated anywhere,” said Valentina Taseska, the event organizer from the Cultural Center.

Some of the poems shared during the evening were dedicated to the tragic fire in Kočani. The poetry night served as a reminder of the power and boundlessness of poetry.

“March 21st, World Poetry Day, is a day to celebrate the beauty and power of verse as one of the oldest forms of human expression. It gives us a chance to reflect on the impact poetry has on different cultures and peoples, and to remember its ability to connect individuals regardless of borders or language. Poetry is not only a means of expressing emotions, but also a way of thinking, a form of critique, and a platform for sharing ideas. Through poetry, we can both understand and personally experience the world around us,” was stated during the commemoration.

The event also delivered a message—especially to young writers—encouraging them to participate in poetry readings and competitions and to share their poetry with lovers of the written word.

“It’s truly beautiful to invite all who write to take part and to encourage those who haven’t yet dared to present their work publicly. They might encounter new perspectives and critiques. But critique doesn’t always have to be negative—it can be constructive and serve as guidance for future creative work,” the message emphasized.

The event was enriched with musical performances, and the director of the Cultural Center, Farie Adili, presented certificates of appreciation to the participants and supporters.

The celebration of March 21st in Gostivar was organized with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.