PLAOSHNIK INSTAURATION OF ST. CLEMENT'S UNIVERSITY IN OHRID

In the period between 1999 and 2002 was effectuated the project PLAOSHNIK I (Instauration of St. Clement's Church St. Pantelimon in Ohrid), while in the period between 2007 and 2009 will be effectuated the project PLAOSHNIK II (Instauration of St. Clement's University at Plaoshnik in Ohrid). This implies enclosing of one monumental national cultural-enlightenment and historical content and an exceptional cultural-historical space that together are of capital importance for the Macedonian people and the Slavs in general.

The Project Plaoshnik II will be developed with the following dynamics: from March to September 2007 will be performed systematic archaeological research over the whole remaining monument complex Plaoshnik in order to obtain a clear picture about the cultural values of this space.

Depending on the results from these researches will be decided at which portions around the church of St. Clement , St.Pantelimon, i.e. at which portions from the St. Clement's monastery complex the instauration will be performed. In August and September of the same year will be prepared the project program and in October will be launched a public competition for an idea-solution. Until March 2008, the main project will be prepared and will be performed preparations for the realization of the last phase, and from mid 2008 until the end of 2009, the instauration of St. Clement's University will be carried out.

This venture has a specific cultural-historical mission: to effectuate a chronological symbiosis of St.Clement's spirit and time with the contemporaneousness of the XXI century and to revive the reality of St. Clement's activity: connecting of the church and the profane living and working in the space of the University. In the instaurated objects will be placed cultural and scientific centers, St.Clement's literary academy with a rich library, gallery of icons, theological centre etc. The overall appearance will have to be in one cohesive architectural harmony with the citadel –Samoil's fortress on the north and the complex St. John Kaneo on the south.

For support of the realization was formed a Board for Instauration of St. Clement's University comprised of Prof. Dr. Gjorgji Martinovski, rector of the University “Sts. Cyril and Methodius”, President; Academician Cvetan Grizdanov, President of MANU, member; Academician Petar Hristo Ilievski, MANU, member; Academician Krum Tomoski, MANU, member; Academician Georgi Stardelov, MANU, member; Metropolitan Timotej, Macedonian Orthodox Church, member; Prof. Dr. Vera Bitrakova-Grozdanova, Faculty of Philosophy, member; Dr. Lazar Shumanov, IKOMOS, member; Elizabeta Kanchevska-Milevska, State Secretary for Culture, Ministry of Culture, member; Pasko Kuzman, Cultural Heritage Protection Office within the Ministry of Culture, member and Coordinator of the Project. Responsible institution through which this project is being realized is the NI Institute and Museum-Ohrid.

The project is fully financed by the Government of RM. For the archaeological research and the other activities in 2007 were provided 1.000.000 euros.

Now at Plaoshnik is developed a systematic archaeological research in which participates 318 persons (expert team (61) students, workers). As Head of the research was appointed Prof. Dr. Vera Bitrakova-Grozdanova.