Symposium on Teaching Sylvia Plath to mark the 50th anniversary of the American poet’s death

The Symposium was introduced by the Provost, Prof Andrew Goodspeed, and the Head of English, Prof Benjamin Keatinge gave the opening paper ‘On Re-Reading the Ariel Poems’. This was followed by a visiting speaker, Prof Loreta Georgievska-Jakovleva from the Institute for Macedonian Literature, University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, in Skopje who spoke on ‘Sylvia Plath in a Macedonian Context’. After the lunch break, a presentation and two recitations were given by students from the English Department at SEEU, namely, first year students: Berin Ismaili, Egzona Saiti, Suada Murati and third year students: Adelina Ramadani and Elona Mustafi. Following this, the Sylvia Plath Poetry Recitation Competition was held. Forty visiting school students recited one poem each by Sylvia Plath and the judges, Prof Benjamin Keatinge and Estela Eaton, assessed their readings for pronunciation, tone, phrasing, emphasis and volume. Congratulations go to the winners who were:

Arzana Asllani, "Sami Frasheri" High School, Kumanovo, 1st place

Merjem Rexhepi, "Kiril Pejcinoviq" High School, Tetovo, 2nd place

Teodora Angeleska, "Orce Nikolov" High School, Skopje, 3rd place

After the Competition, the Symposium concluded with a paper by Estela Eaton on ‘Teaching Sylvia Plath in the ESL Classroom’ and a final paper by visiting speaker, ProfMishel Pavlovski from the Institute of Macedonian Literature at the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje who spoke on ‘Sylvia Plath: Movie, Novel, Life’. Certificates were awarded to all presenters and audience members at the Symposium who included teachers and students from a wide range of locations in Macedonia.