Editorial

Abstract

Dear readers,

With this Festschrift issue of Contributions, Section of Natural, Mathematical and Biotechnical Sciences, the journal of the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, we are delighted to celebrate the 70th birthday of Academician Vlado Matevski. With his 197 original scientific articles, 155 contributions at scientising meetings, 16 books, 26 new plant taxa for the science, 11 new taxonomic combinations, and numerous new syntaxa and syntaxonomic and nomenclature combinations, Academician Matevski is a leading botanist and one of the most distinguished figures in the field of biology in Macedonia.

The scientific work of Academician Matevski has been devoted to the study of flora, taxonomy, phytogeography, and phytocoenology. Continuing the legacy of the late Academician Kiril Micevski, he serves as the principal leader of the long-term project Flora of the Republic of Macedonia (Flora of North Macedonia), a cornerstone scientific undertaking of the Academy, of both national and scientific significance.

This Festschrift issue comprises 26 original articles, authored by prominent botanists and biologists from Southeastern Europe and Macedonia, who are all friends and colleagues of Academician Matevski. Upon invitation, they have generously dedicated their time and effort to contribute high-quality papers, thereby expressing their deep appreciation for his scientific achievements and his remarkable personality.

Academician Vlado Matevski is a person of exceptional character, calm, wise, and confident, whose presence radiates both intellectual depth and human warmth. It has been my great privilege to have him as a colleague at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Skopje and at the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts, and to learn from his thoughtful and visionary approach to the advancement of these vital academic institutions.

As detailed biographical notes and a list of scientific achievements follow on the next pages of this Festschrift issue, let me conclude these introductory remarks with my heartfelt congratulations to Academician Vlado Matevski on his 70th birthday, wishing him many more years of prosperity, personal happiness, and continued scientific success.

Editor,
Valentin Mirceski