The first thing I saw in Skopje was the construction of a 25-meter tall figure of a warrior on
horseback – the statue of Alexander the Great.
In 2010 the government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia started an extensive
project to revamp the country into the sense of connection with its alleged ancient roots. Alexander the Great, one of the most powerful historical rulers, was acclaimed the father of present Macedonian nation. However, modern Macedonia is a young post-Yugoslav, poorly developed country.
Dream of the lost nobility was the spark that ignited minds on the both sides of the border. Over 2000 years after the collapse of the empire two countries started the dispute of origins.
Generations already been born as Macedonians, within two countries and three geographical
Macedonias.
Greece opposed any claims of the piece of history that, they believe, is exclusively Greek heritage. In order to protect its cultural consistence the government blocked foreign policy of the neighbour influence Macedonia’s political isolation.
What was supposed to elevate the rising nation to new dignity broke its spine while the elected authority turned to authoritarianism and engaged propaganda apparatus in order to reinvent the tradition and stimulate national consciousness.
Would it be even possible to create the hybrid identity and the establishing myth, by erecting
monuments made of bronze or plaster? That leads to crucial questions such as what do constitute modern nations or who owns the antiquity. However, the Macedonian question remains unanswered.