"Elysian Echo: The Poetry of the Memory of Freedom quietly whispers but also loudly cries for freedom – the highest ideal, which today, more than ever, remains a dream for many. This book is born as a continuation of the project of the same name, supported by the Ministry of Culture, with the hope of leaving a mark on the hearts of those who still long for that elusive light. Freedom, once quietly understood, is now a word used often, yet it carries great weight. Throughout the world, its true brilliance is often dimmed, misused, and distorted, leaving it as an illusion for many to dream of but rarely experience. In these verses, I weave freedom as a memory of the past, a need of the present, and a I hope for the future. The collection before you contains poems and graphics, created with heart and mind, presented bilingually – in Macedonian and English – to share its message with a wider audience. With each word, each verse, and each image, this book tells the story of freedom – what it once was, what we yearn for, and what we still seek. It is my cry for the freedom we feel within ourselves, but also my call to ask ourselves where we stand today. Have we lost it in the webs of fear and control? Or does it still exist, hidden in the small moments, in every breath, in every step we take? May this book be a guide to freedom, a lasting reminder that it is our most sacred right, but also a responsibility we carry as individuals and as a society." - states the author.
Trajkovski's collection, The Poetry of the Memory of Freedom, premieres here at Poetry Expo 25, marking the first time readers can experience it in its entirety. It will later be published as a bilingual (Macedonian-English) printed book, set to launch on March 18, 2025, at the National Institution University Library "St. Kliment Ohridski" – Bitola.
To view specific poems with striking artwork from the collection, click on the poem titles below:
- Pictures and memories
- The Child Who Was Left Alone
- Rain of Projectiles
- Nostalgia
- Light
- Island
- Alone with My Reflection
The project is part of the subthemes Cultural Resilience - Literature as a force for social justice, Poetry and the Digital Commons - New platforms, new audiences.
Author
Igor Trajkovski Foja
Born on May 4, 1986 in Bitola, Igor Trajkovski known as Foja is an author, photographer, musician, graphic designer, screenwriter and film director. He enters art with combinations of photography and graphic art. His graphics are part of several exhibitions in the country and Europe, including the "International Biennale of Graphic Art, Portugal - 2014"; Graphic art exhibition "Mirror face to face" Vicenza, Italy - 2016. Solo photo exhibition "FUTURE IN THE PAST" 2022 (Ministry of Culture, work of national interest).
He is the author of the books: "Doll" - 2010 (short stories), the novel "Snowy Desert" - 2013 (Ministry of Culture, a work of national interest), book "FUTURE IN THE PAST" (pictures and memories) 2019, "POSITIVE - In conditions of total world depression" - 2022 and the book "Handbook for the screenwriter: A Writer's Guide to Documentary and Feature Film Scripts' - 2023.
He is the main and responsible editor of the anthologies for literary art: "Collegiumski Zapisnik 001" (2014) until "Collegiumski Zapisnik 010" (2023). Editor of the magazine "Magenta", which from 2015 onwards deals with topics related to art, especially in Bitola and the region. He is the founder of the "Live Literary Performance" group, which includes poets and musicians from Bitola, which presents the author's poetry in an informal way. He is the organizer of the festival "300 JOBS, TRISTA" Festival of literature and audio-visual arts. The festival has been held here since 2013, and so far guests from Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania, Greece, Kosovo, R. Ireland, India, USA, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, France and others. He is the winner of numerous awards in the field of literature, including: First prize for poetic work at the poetry event "PLANETOPIJA 2019"; Medal "Cultural Center Mesopotamia - Belgrade" 2020; Special Prize for Poetry "GALATEO-ANTONIO DE FERRARIS CITY" - International competition in Rome, Italy for the song "YOU AND I" 2020. Completed postgraduate studies at FDU - Skopje (Film and TV screenplay) in 2023. INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE "CITY OF GALITEO - ANTONIO DE FERRARIS" FOREIGN AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE (2023) "For intensive literary and artistic work aimed at research, study, teaching and cultural promotion both at the national and international level" in the form of a certificate and gold plaque.
Filmography:
IN THE VALLEY OF THE CONSULS (2011) - Short film - Screenplay and Director / ROOM 13 (2017) -Short film - Screenplay / Laktiv Turizam Ohrid (2017) - Promotional video in the form of a short documentary (European Project) - Screenplay and Director
PLATES FROM BITOLA 60s (2019) - Documentary (25 minutes). Screenplay and Direction. / TV Series PRESPAV, (2019) - Season 4. Episode 5 "THE CHIEF INSPECTOR" Script, Episode 18 "TRANS TOILET" Script, Episode Role.
