Planting of a tree in the Park of Poetry in honor of this year's laureate, Mexican poet José Emilio Pacheco, and traditional reading of the poem "Longing for the South", marked Thursday the start of the 52nd Struga Poetry Evenings (SPE).

Opening the international festival of poetry, Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska cited an immortal notion of the giant of the Macedonian literary word, Koco Racin, which says that "the poem is the prayer of Macedonia and the mirror of her soul."

"This evening, we are commemorating the 52nd edition of the most renowned poetry event in our country "Struga Poetry Evenings", through which we are affirming the true values, the culture by gathering the most important world poetry names. The festival is the most adequate presentation of the actual poetry achievements in an international context, and is for sure a place where the dialogue among languages and cultures is enhanced, which, during this event, communicate openly and give their contribution in the mutual familiarisation and respect among nations," Kanceska-Milevska said.

During the past five decades, she said, over 5.000 poets from all over the world visited Macedonia and presented their poetry works in hundreds of languages; 47 poets laureate of the 20t and 21 century received the prestigious Golden Wreath for Poetry; the festival has built many bridges among many poetry meridians.

"By recognising the SEP importance, as well as the obligation to share this cultural event with the global public, Macedonia's Government and the Ministry of Culture are continuously supporting this event, which undoubtedly promotes the values integrated in the diversities, and in the authentic poetries that comprise the riches of the European, global cultural mosaic," Kanceska-Milevska said.

She wished for a bridge of spirituality and beauty that would "connect us to the whole world" to be built in Struga, the seat of poetry power.

"As our Laureate Mateja Matevski said, let poetry be completely open in its mission, completely free and open to the words it creates and is created by, as the ultimate expression of the human spirit," Kanceska-Milevska said.

She expressed belief that the presence of Mr Pacheco at this year's edition of Struga Poetry Evenings would provoke many of the admirers of the literary word to visit Macedonia again and become part of the traditional celebration of the poetry magic in country.

Pacheco, this year's recipient of the Golden Wreath, is already in Struga. The prestigious accolade will be presented to the poet on Sunday at the traditional poetry reading "Bridges", while a portrait of the laureate will take place a day earlier in Ohrid.

The winner of the Miladinov Brothers award for best book of poems by Macedonian author between two festival editions is due to be announced on Friday.

Book promotions, exhibitions, debates and many other events will be held as part of the festival, which closes on Aug. 25.

The 52nd poetry festival brings together renowned poets from Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, the UK, Germany, Egypt, India, Japan, Israel, China, Russia, Poland, Spain, and Cuba.