The Canadian Macedonian Heritage Society and the Literaturno Društvo “Brakja Miladinovci” hosted a well-attended literary evening celebrating the work of Macedonian poet Aco Šopov. The event, held at St. Clement Church, featured Christina Kramer and Rawley Grau, who presented their English translation of Šopov’s poetry collection The Long Coming of the Fire.

They shared insights into their three-year translation process, read selected poems in both Macedonian and English, and engaged the audience in a discussion that deepened appreciation for Šopov’s powerful, evocative work. The evening highlighted the emotional intensity and historical depth of his poetry, while also recognizing the translators’ dedication. The project was supported by several organizations and published by Deep Vellum Press.

The Canadian Macedonian Historical Society hosted a talk titled “Macedonian Immigrants and Refugees – Two Authors, Three Novels,” featuring a discussion with authors Sylvia Karakaltsas and Tom Petsinis about their works A Perfect Stone, Fitzroy Raw, and Fog. The presentation explored the rare presence of Macedonian protagonists in English-language fiction and examined why the authors chose to focus on Macedonian history and identity. Through their novels, they depict the experiences of young Macedonian refugees and immigrants—highlighting themes of displacement, adaptation, and resilience. The discussion also անդրlined the role of research and personal narratives in shaping their stories, connecting these fictional accounts to the real-life experiences of many Macedonian families in the diaspora.