THE MISSION OF MACEDONIANISM AS POETIC WISDOM-MAKING

Abstract

The paper offers a hermeneutic interpretation of the book comprising two poetry collections, Macedonianism (Wisdom Weavings) and Macedonianism (A Lump in the Throat), by the author Desanka Nikolova. The book is the outcome of a sustained and dedicated creative engagement with Macedonian identity and cultural belonging through poetry. The work constitutes an open act of communication between the author and her audience, unfolding towards readers through a series of poems published continuously on the social media platform Facebook, as well as through numerous appearances on poetic stages before live audiences, thereby fostering direct interaction with them. This poetic endeavour represents a revitalisation of the theme of Macedonianism makedonstvuvanje a neologism coined by Gane Todorovski, who led us forward and revealed the path towards a creative, imaginative, and elevated affirmation of Macedonian identity and cultural consciousness, inspiring us to ascend towards the great idea of Macedonian identity and belonging, towards Macedonian themes, our homeland Macedonia, and our Macedonian language. Through this work, the poet Desanka Nikolova fulfils a profound mission of Macedonianism of makedonstvuvanje as a bearer of light, as our sacred mission and covenant.