World
Navigating a Historical Identity Crisis in North Macedonia
Explore the complexities of North Macedonia’s historical identity crisis and how it impacts the country’s cultural and social fabric. Delve into the challenges and nuances of navigating this intricate historical landscape.
Historical Identity Crisis
The center of Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, reflects a historical identity crisis. A statue of Alexander the Great dominates the central square, while his father, Philip II of Macedon, stands tall on an oversized pedestal nearby. However, most of the historical figures honored through statues in the city are claimed by other countries.
North Macedonia, established after the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, lacks a direct connection to Alexander the Great, who was from Greece, located just a short distance away. Additionally, many of the figures commemorated in bronze, stone, and plaster are actually Bulgarian.
The Rich Heritage of North Macedonia
Slavica Babamova, the director of the national archaeological museum, emphasizes the rich history of North Macedonia that often gets overshadowed by these misplaced tributes. She highlights the significance of artifacts like the golden funeral mask and other ancient treasures discovered in a necropolis near the village of Trebenishte, showcasing the country’s authentic historical narrative.
Babamova criticizes the excessive focus on erecting statues as a means to construct a national identity, urging a deeper exploration and celebration of North Macedonia’s unique heritage and archaeological findings.