68^th WORLD CONGRESS OF INTERNATIONAL P.E.N.
17^th – 24^th September 2002
OHRID, REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

Provisional Programme

Tuesday, 17^th September

        Arrival of delegates and registration


Wednesday, 18^th September

        Arrival of delegates and registration

10:00-12:00 Sightseeing of Ohrid (1)
10:00-11:00 Press Conference
11:30-14:30 Executive Committee meeting (1)
12:30-14:00 Lunch
14:00-17:00 Writers in Prison Committee meeting (1)
15:00-18:00 Writers for Peace Committee meeting (1)
19:00             Welcome Party


Thursday, 19^th September

        Late registration

09:00-11:00 Executive Committee meeting (2)
09:00-11:00 Exiled Writers Network meeting
09:00-11:00 Women Writers Committee meeting (1)
12:00-13:00 Opening Ceremony
13:30-15:00 Lunch
15:30-18:30 Literary Session: Borders of Freedom / Freedom of Borders (1)
15:30-18:30 Writers in Prison Committee meeting (2)
20:00             Reception given by the President of the Republic


Friday, 20^th September

09:30-13:00 Assembly of Delegates (1)
13:30-15:00 Lunch
15:30-17:30 Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee meeting
15:30-18:30 UNESCO Literary Seminar: Women Writers
15:30-18:30 Literary Session: Borders of Freedom / Freedom of Borders (2)
19:00-20:30 Dinner
21:30             Poetry reading: Poets and Poetry from the Region


Saturday, 21^st September

09:30-13:00 Assembly of Delegates (2)
13:30-15:00 Lunch
15:30-18:30 Sightseeing of Ohrid (2)
15:30-17:30 Writers for Peace Committee meeting (2)
15:30-18:30 Literary Session: The Future of Language / Language of the Future
18:30-20:00 Dinner
20:30-22:30 An Evening of Macedonian music and dance


Sunday, 22^nd September

09:30-13:00 Delegate Discussion on the Strategic Plan
10:00-13:00 Literary Session: Slavic Literatures in the Balkans
13:30-15:00 Lunch
15:30-18:30 UNESCO Literary Seminar: Young P.E.N.
15:30-18:30 Assembly of Delegates (3)
19:00-20:30 Dinner
21:00-23:00 International Poetry Reading (Cathedral Church of St. Sophia)


Monday, 23^rd September

09:30-12:00 Assembly of Delegates (4) and closing speeches
12:15-13:15 Press Conference
13:30-15:00 Lunch
13:30-15:30 Executive Committee meeting (3)
16:00             Visit to St. Naum Monastery at the springs of the Drim River
20:30           Farewell dinner


Tuesday, 24^th September

        Departures

PROGRAMME FOR PARTICIPANTS OTHER THAN DELEGATES

    Participants other than delegates will be given the opportunity to see more of the country by means of tours and excursions organised especially for them.

        Tours during and after the 68^th World Congress of International P.E.N.

FRAMA Travel Agency, the official Agency of the Congress, offers the following tours for guests and participants. If interested in any of these tours, please inform us by 1^st August at the latest.

* All prices are given in  EURos ( EUR) per person.


Thursday, 19^th September

Day visit to the monastery of St Jovan Bigorski.

The Monastery of St Jovan Bigorski is located in the western part of Macedonia about 70km from Ohrid. The road goes through the picturesque canyon of the Radika river and the lakes of Globocica and Spilje. The monastery dates from the 18^th century and is famous for its wonderfully carved wooden iconostasis. Today, it is occupied by a community of monks of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.

Prices: 7 persons, 30 EUR; 16 persons, 23 EUR; 50 persons, 13 EUR.


Friday 20^th September

Day excursion to Galichica, Prespa, Kurbinovo, Bitola, Heraklea

Departure from Ohrid, across the Galichica mountain (2225 m.). From the summit of the mountain there is an impressive view of both Ohrid and Prespa Lakes. Visit to the monastery of St George (12^th century) in the village of Kurbinovo on the shore of the Prespa Lake. The frescoes in this church are among the greatest examples of Byzantine art. Lunch by the Prespa Lake. Visit to Bitola and the ancient city of Heraklea Lincestys. Return to Ohrid in the evening.

Prices: 7 persons, 40 EUR; 16 persons, 33 EUR; 50 persons, 23 EUR.


Saturday 21^st September

Day excursion to Struga

Departure at 10:00 from the hotel pier to Struga by boat. The voyage takes about 40 minutes, and provides an excellent opportunity for a panoramic view of Ohrid. Visit to the old Struga bazaar. Struga is renowned for its International Poetry Festival and abounds in examples of old Macedonian architecture. The river Black Drim, one of the most beautiful rivers in Macedonia, runs out of the lake, through the city and thence to the Adriatic Sea. Visit to the nearby churches of The Holy Mother of God and the monastery of Kalishta.

Prices: 7 persons, 33 EUR; 16 persons, 18 EUR; for 50 persons, 10 EUR.


Tuesday, 24^th - 27^th September

Post-Congress Tour: Four days through Macedonia: Galichica, Prespa, Kurbinovo, Krushevo, Kavadarci, Stobi, Skopje

Departure on 24^th September at 9:00 from Ohrid, across the Galichica mountain (2225m). From the summit of the mountain there is an impressive view of both Ohrid and Prespa Lakes. Visit to the monastery of St George (12^th century) in the village of Kurbinovo, on the shore of the Prespa Lake. The frescoes in this church are among the greatest examples of Byzantine art. Lunch by the Prespa Lake. Visit to Krushevo, a picturesque city 1300m above sea level, dinner at a restaurant specializing in the national cuisine, night in a Krushevo hotel.

25^th September, breakfast and visit to the monuments of Ilinden and Mechkin Kamen. Visit to Kavadarci and its famous wine cellar, wine-tasting, lunch. Visit to the archaeological site of the ancient city of Stobi (4^th century B.C.) near the town of Veles. Arrival in Skopje, the capital of Macedonia. Night in Skopje.

26^th September, sightseeing in Skopje, visit to the famous Old Bazaar (Stara Charshija) and its historical monuments, the church of the Holy Saviour (19^th century), the church of St Pantelejmon in Nerezi (12^th century), Kurshumli An (16^th century Turkish Inn), the Stone Bridge (Kamen most, 15^th century). Visit to Marko’s monastery, lunch. Return to and night in Skopje.

27^th September. Depart.

Price: 7 persons, 330 EUR; 16 persons, 230 EUR; 50 persons, 220 EUR.

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