The hosting of the 31st Convention of the International Archival Research Center (ICARUS) in Skopje and Ohrid from 8 to 10 November 2023, represents the most significant event both for the State Archives and the field of archival practice that has been held in the country so far. The initiative for hosting the event was made by the director of the State Archives, Dr. Emil Krsteski, at the 30th Convention of ICARUS, held in the Netherlands in May 2023, while the Executive Board of ICARUS accepted the proposal the State Archives to host the next Convention at the May meeting in Vienna. The theme "Common archival heritage - protection, accessibility and digitization" was the topic of the Convention, which was held at the NU Museum of the Macedonian Struggle - Skopje and the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, with a visit to the city of Ohrid and its landmarks on the third day.
Seventy two participants from 15 countries announced their presence at the Convention: Germany, Serbia, Malta, Czech Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Spain, Hungary, Montenegro, Croatia, Austria, Moldova, Netherlands, Estonia, Romania, Israel. The attending archivists and experts from related fields were honored with the presence of Mr. Charles Farrugia, President of the European Regional Branch (EURBICA) of the International Council of Archives, and Ms. Birgit Kirbal, President of ICARUS. At the sessions held during the two days, 22 presenters presented professional papers with various titles from the archival science, which contained attitudes, experiences and dilemmas of archivists and provoked constructive discussions beneficial for the process of work in the archival institutions.
The event was sponsored by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, NU Museum of the Macedonian Struggle, MANU, printing house "Magnasken" from Skopje, coffee bar "Aquarius" and restaurant "Ana Marija" from Ohrid, DOO "Trevis" from the Republic of Serbia.
The director of the State Archives, Dr. Emil Krsteski, sent letters of appreciation to the Government of RNM, the management of MANU and the Museum Of Macedonian Struggle.
