28 January 2023

Statue-tory visit

 

Greetings from Skopje! where "statues are quite numerous" is an understatement. The streets are just filled with so many statues, left and right, to the point that people loathe their ubiquity. Each of these shares a unique story, giving insights into different eras, influential figures, and even commoners. But these have a fair share of controversies and debates, more than their historical significance, issues on resource allocation especially. There were claims that there were more statues than the people. Misled priorities, so they say. 

But everything probably gravitates towards the must-see centerpiece: the grand statue of Alexander the Great in the central square, proudly paying a genuine tribute to Alexander's legacy, being massive and all, screaming for attention. And speaking of attention, the attention to detail is remarkable, underscoring the unpopular yet fascinating Macedonian history. 



But beyond the statues, Skopje actually offers more: the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle revealing the country's courageous fight for independence, the Old Bazaar showcasing the rich Ottoman past and so on, requiring another visit for sure.