FEPTO Conference

15th FEPTO Conference
Ohrid, North Macedonia, 22nd – 24th of May 2020
The Healing Power of Psychodrama

The Conference will be organized by FEPTO with local partner: AMIGDALA School for Psychodrama (RN Macedonia).

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OHRID, HOST CITY OF THE FEPTO CONFERENCE

Ohrid is a city in Republic North Macedonia, the seat of Ohrid Municipality. It is the largest city on Lake Ohrid and the eighth-largest city in the country, with over 42,000 inhabitants as of 2002. Ohrid once had 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and has been referred to as a “Jerusalem of the Balkans”. The city is rich in picturesque houses and monuments, and tourism is predominant. It is located southwest of Skopje, west of Resen and Bitola. In 1979 and in 1980 respectively, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid were accepted as Cultural and Natural World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Ohrid is one of only 28 sites that are part of UNESCO’s World Heritage that are Cultural as well as Natural sites.

With more than one million years under its belt, Lake Ohrid is Europe’s oldest. As one of the world’s few ancient lakes, it’s on a short list of water bodies like Lake Baikal and Lake Tanganyika. Lake Ohrid was formed by a geo-tectonic depression. A long life-span and isolation have helped these lakes support species that can only be found in their waters. For this reason, they’re often called “hot spots” of evolution. Lake Ohrid is no different.

An assessment of the fauna and flora of Lake Ohrid confirms that the lake harbours an incredible endemic biodiversity. Despite the fact that some biotic groups are poorly studied or not studied at all, approximately 1,200 native species are known from the lake, including 586 animals, and at least 212 species are endemic, including 182 animals. In terms of endemic biodiversity, Lake Ohrid is with these 212 known endemic species and a surface area of 358 km2 probably the most diverse lake in the world, taking surface area into account.

The fish fauna in the lake is made of 17 species, which belong to three groups: trout (Salmonidae), white fish and eels (anguillidae). Ohrid trout (Salma trutto letnica) is one of four protected fish species in North Macedonia. Ten of these species (60%) are endemic species. The typical fish Salmo letnica comes in four variants, and the second representative of the trout – Belvica, is an exceptionally interesting endemic fish which seems to be a representative of the most primitive features of the Salmo variety

Eel (jagula in Macedonian) is common in North Macedonia and a favourite dish of the locals. The eel from Lake Ohrid used to spawn in the Sargasso Sea until dams were built along the River Crni Drim. It is not yet clear how this is affecting their population, but they still seem abundant. Of the many small fish in Lake Ohrid, the plašica is the most famous, for its scales are used to make Ohrid pearls, using a painstakingly intricate technique the secret of which is fiercely guarded by the artisans of Ohrid.

Besides being a holy center of the region, it is also the source of knowledge and Macedonian-Slavic literacy. The restored Monastery at Plaoshnik was actually one of the oldest Universities in the western world, dating before the 10th century.

It was located in this town, through the activity of Macedonian teachers St. Clement of Ohrid in the late 9th and early 10th centuries and the first Macedonian-Slavic University in Europe. Ohrid was also the most important official capital of the First Macedonian – Slavic State, more precisely of the Kingdom of Samuil.
Ohrid is the birthplace of Macedonia in the 19th century with the strong maxim of one of the greatest European intellectuals of that time, Grigor Prlicev of Ohrid, called the Second Homer.

Ohrid is also home to Vila Biljana, which serves as an official residence of the Prime Minister of North Macedonia

THE VENUE

The conference will be held at Metropol Hotel, in Ohrid.

We warmly recommend Hotel Metropol and Hotel Turist. Prices are low, food excellent and all events will be at Metropol Hotel. If you choose accommodation elsewhere, there are no other means of transport except for taxi. Every day you will need to spend 7-10 euros for a taxi.
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ACCOMMODATION

Registration fee doesn’t include accommodation, which is to be organised by participants themselves. Please, reserve and pay yourself your accommodation!

Hotel Metropol is located between the shore of Lake Ohrid and the green forests of the Galicica National park, boasting amazing views of the lake and the mountains. Savour authentic regional cuisine as well as international dishes accompanied by the sound of traditional music while enjoying an amazing lake view. Benefit from the banquet hall as well as the conference hall.

Single/double room: 54 euro/40 euro (includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Phone: +389 046 203 001

Hotel Tourist is connected with Hotel Mеtropol through a corridor. Boasting well-equipped accommodation and great facilities. All the meals are served in the restaurants of Hotel Metropol.

Single/double room: 45 euro/33 euro (includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Phone: +389 46 203 001
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ARRIVING TO OHRID

Ohrid’s  St. Paul the Apostle Airport, also known as Ohrid Airport, is an international airport It is the second largest airport in Republic of North Macedonia The airport is located 9 km northwest from Ohrid.

In total there are 4 airlines flying from and to Ohrid. Wizz Air (W6), German Flug (GM), Edelweiss Air (WK),

There are currently no buses linking the airport with Ohrid city centre. The normal taxi fare for the 9 km ride is 8 euros or 500 denars. Hotel Metropol is 6,11 km more from Ohrid. To hotel Metropol don’t give to taxi more than 15 Euros – 900 denars.

Alternative airports to Ohrid: the nearest airport to Ohrid is Skopje Airport.

Skopje Airport is the larger and busier of the two international airports in North Macedonia, with the other being the St. Paul the Apostle Airport in Ohrid which is located 170 km southwest from the national capital Skopje.

If you choose to travel by car, the shortest route from Skopje to Ohrid is: Skopje-Tetovo-Gostivar-Kicevo-Ohrid. The distance between Skopje and Ohrid is 111 km. The road distance is 174.3 km. Drive from Skopje to Ohrid is approximately 2h 36m, and fuel will cost around 15 – 24 euro.

How to get from Skopje to Ohrid, by bus, train, taxi or car: https://www.rome2rio.com/

Important:  There are tolls on the way to Ohrid (to Skopje too), please have euro coins with you. Otherwise, you can pay with a card.

TRAVELING TO NORTH MACEDONIA

Most visits to North Macedonia are trouble-free. Occasional acts of criminal violence occur, although foreigners are not generally targeted.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/north-macedonia

You can find many interesting touristic destinations in North Macedonia. Take this opportunity and look at the country. Here are some links and surfing Google can find more:

Lonely Planet > The North Macedonia
Lonely Planet > Ohrid
Macedonia Travel

If you have any questions about traveling to North Macedonia, if you want to come before Conference and AM  or stay longer, if you need advice or renting a car,  or you need help to make a private tour, we recommend contacting this touristic agency:

Travel Agency “Holidays”, License A
http://macedoniaholiday.com/
holidaycompa@gmail.com

The agency has a special deal with AMIGDALA and will give you the best prices and service. It will respond quickly and professionally to all your requests .

If you choose any other option and agency you will certainly not make big mistake because the main characteristic of the people in Northern Macedonia is that they are hospitable and friendly.

VISA

No visa is required for EU, countries in the Balkan,  the State of Israel.
More > Visa for North Macedonia

CURRENCY

The denar is the currency of the Republic of North Macedonia. It is subdivided into 100 deni. The name denar comes from the name of the ancient Roman monetary unit, the denarius. The currency symbol is ден, the first three letters of its name. The Macedonian denar was introduced in 1992.The exchange rate at the 14th of December 2014 was:

CONTACT

For all questions about the arrangement or accommodation, please contact the Local Organizing Committee (LOC):

LOC coordinator: Mirjana Jovanovska Stojanovska
Tel: +389 70 233 453

Secretary of the conference: Margarita Nikolovska
Email:  fepto.ohrid@gmail.com