DOCSLIB.ORG

Steering Committee for Culture

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Steering Committee for Culture STEERING COMMITTEE FOR CULTURE CDCULT(2003) 5A Strasbourg, 3 September 2003 2nd Plenary session Strasbourg, 6-8 October 2003 European Programme of National Cultural Policy Reviews MOSAIC PROJECT Cultural Policy in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” National Report CDCULT(2003)5A 2 The opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily engage the responsibility of the Council of Europe. 3 CDCULT(2003)5A Preliminary note: The national report on the cultural policy in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” has been prepared by a team of Macedonian experts. Therefore, in the following pages, the name used to designate the country is the name that appears in the Macedonian Constitution of 1991. CDCULT(2003)5A 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS: FOREWORD BY THE MINISTER OF CULTURE ..........................................................6 1. CULTURAL POLICY ..................................................................................................9 1.1. After 1945 - Historical Overview ....................................................................... 9 1.2. After 1990 - A “New” Cultural Policy.............................................................. 10 1.3. Ministry of Culture............................................................................................ 11 2. CULTURAL CONDITIONS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA..........................13 2.1. Legal Framework of Culture............................................................................ 13 2.1.1. Constitutional Framework............................................................................ 13 2.1.2. Legal Regulations........................................................................................ 13 2.2. The Principle of Equality and the Cultures of the Nationalities................... 14 2.3. Decentralization of Culture.............................................................................. 15 2.4. Privatization...................................................................................................... 15 2.5. Culture in a Market Society ............................................................................. 16 2.6. Artists and Society........................................................................................... 16 2.7. Copyright .......................................................................................................... 17 2.8. Education and Culture..................................................................................... 18 2.9. Civil Society and Culture................................................................................. 18 3. FINANCING OF CULTURE ......................................................................................19 3.1. Government Financing .................................................................................... 20 3.2. Tax and Customs Duty Deductions and Other Public Privileges ................ 21 3.3. Private Support and Other Sources of Financing ......................................... 21 4. CULTURAL ACTIVITIES..........................................................................................23 4.1. Literature And Publishing Activity ................................................................. 23 4.1.1. General Indicators....................................................................................... 23 4.1.2. Forms of Government Subsidy.................................................................... 23 4.2. Libraries ............................................................................................................ 24 4.2.1. Current situation.......................................................................................... 24 4.2.2 Protection of the Literary Heritage................................................................ 25 4.3. Theatres ............................................................................................................ 25 4.3.1. Professional Theatres - General Indicators................................................. 25 4.3.2. Alternative, Independent and Amateur Theatre .......................................... 26 4.3.3. Theatrical Festivals and Events .................................................................. 26 4.4. Cinematography............................................................................................... 26 4.4.1. Conditions 1991-2000 ................................................................................. 27 4.5. Visual Arts ........................................................................................................ 30 4.5.1. Organisational Structure.............................................................................. 30 4.5.2. Current Situation ......................................................................................... 31 4.6. Architecture ...................................................................................................... 32 4.6.1. Current Situation ......................................................................................... 32 4.6.2. Professional and Non-Governmental Associations..................................... 33 4.7. Music ................................................................................................................. 33 5 CDCULT(2003)5A 4.7.1. The Work of Composers ............................................................................. 33 4.7.2. Musical Performing Art................................................................................ 33 4.7.3. Events ......................................................................................................... 34 4.7.4 Associations ................................................................................................. 34 4.7.5. Organisers................................................................................................... 34 4.7.6. Publishing Activity ....................................................................................... 35 4.7.7. Cultural and Artistic Clubs........................................................................... 35 4.8. Cultural Centres ............................................................................................... 35 4.9. Cultural Tourism............................................................................................... 36 5. CULTURAL HERITAGE ...........................................................................................36 5.1. Immovable Cultural Heritage........................................................................... 37 5.1.1. Conditions ................................................................................................... 37 5.1.2. Protection Institutes..................................................................................... 37 5.1.3. Financing..................................................................................................... 38 5.2. Moveable Cultural Heritage............................................................................. 39 5.2.1. Museums..................................................................................................... 39 5.3. Illegal Operations upon the Cultural Heritage............................................... 40 6. INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL COOPERATION ....................................................41 6.1. Bilateral Cooperation....................................................................................... 42 6.2. Multilateral cooperation................................................................................... 42 6.3. Foreign Cultural Centres ................................................................................. 43 7. CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS ............................................................................44 CDCULT(2003)5A 6 FOREWORD BY THE MINISTER OF CULTURE It is a great honour and pleasure for me that - with the initiative and support of the Council of Europe - the Ministry of Culture prepared the National Report on the Cultural Policy in the Republic of Macedonia within the framework of the MOSAIC Project, following the example of the South-East European countries and the rest of Europe. In Macedonia, the preparation of a report on cultural policy that would be in compliance with the European methodology was a novelty. Until then, Macedonian politics and culture were fashioned according to the standards of the communist system of the SFRY (Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), while the process of transition, which followed the achievement of our independence in 1991, proceeded in the political instability of the Balkans. The National Report on the Cultural Policy in the Republic of Macedonia was prepared by a number of experts, employees in the field of culture, civil servants (advisors) from the Ministry of Culture and representatives of NGOs. At the same time, this Report on the Cultural Policy in the Republic of Macedonia is a document which reflects both the constructive and the destructive tendencies of those political structures and citizens, who have contributed (more or less) to the cultural and political life in the country in the last decade. In the new social, economic and political conditions, the cultural sector in Macedonia was faced with certain problems. It was not enough simply to make an effort or to have a desire to overcome these problems. What was necessary was an intensive professional development, objectivity (which was encouraged by the methodological
Load more

Recommended publications
  • HE Dr. Pande Lazarevski – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania
    1 Contents Testimonial…………………………………………………….pg. 3 Special Guests…………………………………………………pg. 4-6 H.E. Dr. Pande Lazarevski – Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania Economic Highlights………………………………………. pg. 7-12 Trade Shows in Macedonia………………………........pg. 13 Focus on Legal Issues……………………………………...pg. 14 Focus on Lifestyle…………………………………………...pg. 15 Cultural Landmarks………………………………….........pg. 16 Focus on Tourist Attractions…………………………….pg. 17 Info Macedonia…………………………………………..…..pg. 18-29 2 TESTIMONIAL As the second edition of the Macedonian Bulletin is ready to meeting its readers, in our turn, we are ready and honored to welcome in these pages the new Ambassador of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania – dr. Pande Lazarevski. We are confident that the bilateral Romanian- Macedonian relation will continue to develop with better and better results as our mutual interest and involvement is a priority goal, especially that the current global economic environment is such a complex equation. There are still many opportunities to be explored, valorized and capitalized in our bilateral relation, that is why we think that our involvement and determination will be really favorable in this common approach. The valuable and solid expertise of His Excellency Mr. Pande Lazarevski, His excellent notoriety as important promoter of the modern concepts in the social and economic Macedonian, regional and international environment are useful premises in order to continue to materialize our bilateral cooperation activity. As for us, The Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Macedonia in Romania, along with Prahova County Chamber of Commerce and Industry, we reaffirm our entire cooperation availability, in order to promote, to develop and to valorize as better as possible, the cooperation potential between Romania and the Republic of Macedonia.
    [Show full text]
  • Country Sheet Macedonia
    The Country of Return Information Project functions as a network of NGO’s for the collection and transfer of specific information on reintegration possibilities for potential returnees and their counsellors. All questions you may have on reintegration possibilities and on which you don’t find the answer in this country sheet, can be directed to the helpdesk “Country of Return Information and Vulnerable Groups”. E-mail: [email protected] COUNTRY SHEET MACEDONIA The Country of Return Information Project and Vulnerable Groups runs until June 2009 and is funded by the European May 2009 Community. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided. Sole responsibility for its content lies with the author. 1 1. Access to the territory ......................................................................... 4 1.1 Documentation ...................................................................................................... 4 1.1.1 Travel documents needed for returnees ................................................... 5 1.1.2 Documents needed to the country of return ............................................ 6 1.1.3 How to obtain necessary documents .......................................................... 6 1.1.4 Price of the necessary documents .............................................................. 7 1.2 Travel to country of origin .................................................................................. 8 1.2.1 By air ...............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Decentralization Process in Republic of Macedonia, Main Issues, Trends
    International Conference DECENTRALIZATION PROCESS IN REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA MAIN ISSUES, TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FUTURE January, 25th 2013 South East European University –Tetovo January, 26th 2013 Institute of Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of the Albanians – Skopje, Macedonia ORGANIZED BY INSTITUTE FOR POLITICAL AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES – SKOPJE www.ispn.org.mk 1 International Scientific Conference “DECENTRALIZATION PROCESS IN REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA MAIN ISSUES, TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FUTURE” PROGRAM AND ABSTRACT BOOK JANUARY, 25th 2013 South East European University –Tetovo, Macedonia JANUARY, 26th 2013 Institute of Spiritual and Cultural Heritage of the Albanians – Skopje, Macedonia www.ispn.org.mk 2 CONTENTS About IPIS…………………………………………………………………………….....4 IPIS Scientific Committee……………………………………………………………...5 IPIS Organizing Committee…………………………………………………………....6 Motivation…………….………………………………………………………………….8 Conference Program…………………………………………………………………...9 Abstract Book…………………………………………………………………………..15 Directory of participants……………………………………………………………….47 3 The Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) is an independent, non-partisan, non-governmental and non-profit, think-tank organization. It has been created by a group of intellectuals and analysts with extensive experience in foreign policy and policy-making issues who are interested in ideas of democracy, solidarity, globalization, European integration, political and international studies and regional cooperation. The long term objectives of the institute are to work on balanced socio- economic development, capacity building and training, active citizen engagement and participative political environments. In these directions we focus our activities on rule of law, evidence based policy research, good governance and multi-ethnic and multicultural co-existence. Our Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) works primarily on stoichiometric research and project-based activities. We believe that human capital is a key precondition for positive social change.
    [Show full text]
  • The Implementation of the Ohrid Agreement: Ethnic Macedonian Resentments ULF BRUNNBAUER
    The Implementation of the Ohrid Agreement: Ethnic Macedonian Resentments ULF BRUNNBAUER Center for the Study of Balkan Societies and Cultures (CSBSC) University of Graz, Austria Issue 1/2002 EUROPEAN CENTRE FOR MINORITY ISSUES (ECMI) Schiffbruecke 12 (Kompagnietor Building) D-24939 Flensburg Germany ( +49-(0)461-14 14 9-0 fax +49-(0)461-14 14 9-19 e-mail: [email protected] internet: http://www.ecmi.de The Implementation of the Ohrid Agreement: Ethnic Macedonian Resentments ULF BRUNNBAUER Center for the Study of Balkan Societies and Cultures (CSBSC), University of Graz, Austria This article explores the difficult process that attended implementation of the Ohrid Agreement. It explores the various resentments the terms of the agreement provoked amongst ethnic Macedonians, in particular those dealing with ‘symbolic’ issues, and examines reasons for their rejection. These, the author argues, are related to the peculiarities of Macedonian national identity as well as to the political dynamics in the country. On the one hand, it is argued, many politicians feared for their patriotic credentials if they supported the agreement. On the other hand, large parts of Macedonian society saw the very existence of the Macedonian nation under threat. They regarded the state as the only protector of their contested national identity and therefore opposed the agreement’s goal to rewrite the constitution on purely civic terms with wide-ranging rights for the minorities. For many Macedonians, this meant a severe loss of security. Despite this, the author concludes that compromises could be found which allows for some optim ism for the future. I. Introduction On 8 August 2001 in Ohrid, the leaders of the Republic of Macedonia’s main political parties, that since 13 May 2001 had formed a shaky ‘National Unity Government’, struck a deal which aimed at ending the violent conflict between Macedonian security forces and armed Albanian extremists in the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement…
    IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OHRID FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT… UDC: 316.647.5-053.6:[323.1:347.440.14(497.7)”2019” IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OHRID FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT: TRENDS IN TOLERANCE AMONG THE YOUTH IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA Avirovic Bundalevska Irena, PhD1 Dragovic Ivana, MA2 Abstract: The Republic of North Macedonia is a multicultural country composed of various ethnic and religious groups. Macedonia was the only ex-Yugoslav state to gain its independence without a violent clash within the country or against other post-Yugoslav republics. However, in 2001 the two major ethnic groups, the Macedonians and Albanians fought against each other in an armed conflict, which resulted in the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement and promoted minority rights in the republic. Almost two decades after the conflict, ethnic tensions have been limited to sporadic hostilities usually prompted by sporting events and political rallies. Today, promoting tolerance among ethnic groups is one of the key issues in the political agenda of the main political parties, both Macedonian and Albanian. This paper will examine tolerance in the Republic of North Macedonia by analyzing the implementation of the Framework Agreement in the area of education, languages and minority rights. Moreover, the paper will present a research on trends in tolerance among youth from urban areas in North Macedonia conducted during the autumn of 2019. Keywords: tolerance, ethnic groups, youth, Framework Agreement, Republic of North Macedonia 1 Institute of Family Studies, Faculty of Philosophy - UKIM – Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia [email protected] 2 Institute of Family Studies, Faculty of Philosophy - UKIM – Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia [email protected] 11 Avirovic Bundalevska Irena, Dragovic Ivana Introduction Religion is found in all known human societies and the concept of religious tolerance was not earned easily in the modern era.
    [Show full text]
  • Eleventh International Scientific Conference KNOWLEDGE in PRACTICE 16-18 December, 2016 Bansko, Bulgaria the ROLE OF
    Eleventh International Scientific Conference KNOWLEDGE IN PRACTICE 16-18 December, 2016 Bansko, Bulgaria THE ROLE OF TRANSBOUNDARY PROTECTED AREAS IN PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF SHARED ECOSYTSEMS ( OHRID -PRESPA CASE) Ardiana Mici Fan S. Noli University – Korca, Albania [email protected] Abstract: Protected areas are known as a very important tool for the protection and the conservation of nature and until now they are spread out all over the world. The first role of them is to emphasize the protection of biodiversity, especially for those habitats, types and ecosystems of a very special importance and for those that are in danger. During the years they changed some times the approach which is reflected also in the new definitions and categories. Many of ecosystems of the world are divided from political borders and in these conditions they appear to be managed by different laws, rules and management structures. For that reason between countries which share such ecosystems, have been created and designated transboundary protected areas. Border areas have a relatively short history in an official level even though their embryonic origins can nearly a century. They have started spontaneously in a local level as a need for cooperation with the neighbor across the border, and then they have included political institutions at different levels to consolidate the agreement between states. Worldwide, a large number of mainly aquatic ecosystems, such as rivers and lakes, are divided politically between two or more states. People living there have always been more isolated by development of their countries, especially in those regions with historic problems of cooperation and political misunderstanding.
    [Show full text]
  • The Republic of North Macedonia - a 'New' Country in the Western Balkans
    87 | RSC Volume 11, Issue 3, September 2019 THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA - A 'NEW' COUNTRY IN THE WESTERN BALKANS Mira Šorović University of Montenegro, Montenegro E-mail: [email protected] Abstract: The article tries to explain and define political processes and changes trhough history of the 'new' Western Balkans country - the Republic of North Macedonia. It is word about analysis of the political dispute between Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Greece, from its biginnings until the present day. This paper will try to give the real picture of political area in the Balkans and explore deeper roots of the 'Macedonian Question' controversy. Also, it will give the explinations of the resolution of 27-year dispute, (between the two neighbor countries), by signing the Prespa Agreement. Hence, leaving by side national identity and history, the North Macedonia will be able to join the European Union and NATO. Thus, in short period of time, a 'new' country in the Western Balkans has putted in the center of the regional politics, with clear purpose: promoting ethnic and cultural heritance in the edge of the European continent. Key-words: North Macedonia, Greece, the 'Macedonian Question', the name issue, the Prespa Agreement, identity, the Western Balkans, the European and Euro-Atlantic integration. 1. Introduction In recent time, North Macedonia has hold attention on the regional political scene of the Balkans, as a 'geopolitical fault line' (Armakolas et al. 2019, 1). Nearly three decades, the 'Macedonian Question' has been subject of many round-table discussions, descriptive articles and many analyses from diverse perspectives.
    [Show full text]
  • National Myths in Interdependence
    National Myths in Interdependence: The Narratives of the Ancient Past among Macedonians and Albanians in the Republic of Macedonia after 1991 By Matvey Lomonosov Submitted to Central European University Nationalism Studies Program In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts CEU eTD Collection Advisor: Professor Maria Kovács Budapest, Hungary 2012 Abstract The scholarship on national mythology primarily focuses on the construction of historical narratives within separate “nations,” and oftentimes presents the particular national ist elites as single authors and undisputable controllers of mythological versions of the past. However, the authorship and authority of the dominant national ist elites in designing particular narratives of the communal history is limited. The national past, at least in non- totalitarian societies, is widely negotiated, and its interpretation is always heteroglot . The particular narratives that come out of the dominant elites’ “think-tanks” get into a polyphonic discursive milieu discussing the past. Thus they become addressed to alternative narratives, agree with them, deny them or reinterpret them. The existence of those “other” narratives as well as the others’ authorship constitutes a specific factor in shaping mythopoeic activities of dominant political and intellectual national elites. Then, achieving personal or “national” goals by nationalists usually means doing so at the expense or in relations to the others. If in this confrontation the rivals use historical myths, the evolution of the later will depend on mutual responses. Thus national historical myths are constructed in dialogue, contain voices of the others, and have “other” “authors” from within and from without the nation in addition to “own” dominant national ist elite.
    [Show full text]
  • Power Sharing and the Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement
    Power Sharing and the Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement Skopje, 2008 Publisher: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung - Office Macedonia, ul. Risto Ravanovski 3, 1000 Skopje, Macedonia http://www.fes.org.mk Cover design and pre-press: PROMO DSGN, Skopje Proofreading provided by BesTel Copies: 300 Copyright by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung CIP – Каталогизација во публикација Национална и универзитетска библиотека “Св.Климент Охридски”, Скопје 321.7(497.7)”2001” POWER Sharing and the Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement. – Skopje : Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 2008. – 212 стр. : табели; 24 см Фусноти кон текстот ISBN 978-9989-109-45-4 а) “Охридски рамковен договор 2001” – Имплементација COBISS.MK-ID 73541642 Content: 5 Introduction 7 Florian Bieber Power-Sharing and the Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement 41 Etem Aziri The Spirit of the Consensus and the Integration in a Multi- ethnic Society 67 Ermira Mehmeti Implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement 89 Izet Zeqiri The Economic Causes and Consequences of the 2001 War and the Consolidation of the Economy after the Crisis 109 Sali Ramadani Power-Sharing and Internal Security 131 Rizvan Sulejmani Consensus Democracy and Power-Sharing in Macedonia 165 Xheladin Murati Education and Use of Language 179 Emil Atanasovski Educational Segregation of Communities in Macedonia; an Unsustainable Policy Severely Hampering Integration Efforts 195 Ixhet Memeti Power-Sharing and the Implementation of the Ohrid Agreement 207 Florian Bieber Conclusions: The Ohrid Framework Agreement after 7 years Authors take full responsibility for their expressed opinions and positions. The opinions and positions in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. Introduction In recent years there has been a dispute in Macedonia about the „spirit of the Ohrid Framework Agreement“ (OFA).
    [Show full text]
  • Policy Briefing
    Policy Briefing Europe Briefing N°52 Pristina/Brussels, 12 January 2009 Macedonia’s Name: Breaking the Deadlock I. OVERVIEW upped the ante at NATO and in the EU. Macedonia was granted the status of an EU candidate in 2005 but no date for the start of accession negotiations. By Macedonia is a relative success story in a region scarred 2008 it had fulfilled the criteria for entering NATO by unresolved statehood and territory issues. Interna- but was not issued a membership invitation. Apart tional engagement has, since the 2001 conflict with an from Greece’s threat over the name issue, the opening ethnic Albanian insurgency, brought progress in inte- of EU accession talks is also delayed by the country’s grating Albanians into political life. This has been failure to meet benchmarks set by the European Com- underpinned by the promise of European Union (EU) mission. Notably, serious shortcomings that came to and NATO integration, goals that unite ethnic Macedo- light in the June 2008 elections will need to be addressed nians and Albanians. But the main NATO/EU strategy in elections in 2009. for stabilising Macedonia and the region via enlarge- ment was derailed in 2008 by the dispute with Greece Despite considerable progress, Ohrid has not been fully over the country’s name. Athens claims that, by call- implemented. Inter-ethnic tensions and a risk of insta- ing itself “Macedonia”, it appropriates part of the Hel- bility remain. The regional environment is fragile, and lenic heritage and implies a claim against Greece’s the potential for Kosovo to have a destabilising influ- northern province.
    [Show full text]
  • The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities
    The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Chamber of Local Authorities 23rd SESSION Strasbourg, 16-18 October 2012 CPL(23)2FINAL 26 February 2013 Local democracy in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” Monitoring Committee Rapporteurs:1 Simon JAMES, United Kingdom (L, ILDG2) Andrée BUCHMANN, France (R, SOC) Recommendation 329 (2012) .................................................................................................................. 2 Explanatory memorandum ...................................................................................................................... 6 Summary The present report on local and regional democracy in “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” follows upon Recommendation 217 adopted in 2007. It expresses satisfaction that “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” has made marked progress towards better local democracy and decentralisation and that cooperation between municipalities and the central government works well. It takes note, however, that legislation needs improvement as regards the competences of local authorities and financial equalisation and that the great disparity in wealth and development between urban and rural municipalities is cause for concern. It also takes note of the low level of citizen participation in local affairs and particularly of women in local political life. The Congress recommends that the government of “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” enhance the portfolio of the Ministry of Local Self-Government as the main actor in the decentralisation process, clarify the issue of overlapping competences, adopt a clear legislation on equalisation providing precise guidelines, increase the own-source taxes in local budgets and transfer property of land to local authorities in an effort to increase local autonomy. It also recommends that the role and functions of Skopje as capital city and as local authority dealing with 10 sub-entities be clarified.
    [Show full text]
  • Orthodox-Pluralized Nurturing the Culture of Dialogue
    Interdisciplinary Journal for Religion and Transformation in Contemporary Society 6 (2020) 385–412 brill.com/jrat Orthodox-Pluralized … Nurturing the Culture of Dialogue A Macedonian Experience Gjoko Gjorgjevski Professor, Faculty of Orthodox Theology “St. Clement of Ohrid”, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, North Macedonia [email protected] Abstract The aim of this paper is to describe the relations between the religious communities in the Republic of North Macedonia. This paper will examine the history of each of the most numerous traditional religious communities in the country, the history of the dialogue between them and its present situation, the communication and mutual in- fluences, as well as the attempts to overcome disagreements and misunderstandings. It is an overview of the most important activities of the dialogues and challenges in relation to the events and changes in the country. Keywords interreligious dialogue – orthodox – Muslim – Macedonia 1 Country Overview: Negotiating Religious and National Identities The Republic of North Macedonia lies in the southern part of Europe’s Balkan Peninsula. The landlocked, mountainous country is bordered to the north by Serbia and Kosovo, to the east by Bulgaria, to the south by Greece, and to the © Gjoko Gjorgjevski, 2020 | doi:10.30965/23642807-00602008 This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC-NDDownloaded 4.0 license. from Brill.com09/29/2021 09:19:19AM via free access 386 Gjorgjevski west by Albania. The total land area of the country is (around) 25,710 square kilometers. The cultural mosaic called Macedonia is special because of its deep reli- gious and national diversity.
    [Show full text]