Skopje, 8 September 2023 (MIA) - North Macedonia's Independence Day is observed Friday through a number of events organized by the Government under slogan "Herald of Freedom".

A Government delegation led by Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski, composed of First Deputy PM Artan Grubi, Minister of Defense Slavjanka Petrovska, Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski and Minister of Health Fatmir Mexhiti, are to pay respects and lay flowers at the graves of former presidents Kiro Gligorov and Boris Trajkovski.

Afterwards, PM Kovachevski and Health Minister Fatmir Mexhiti, alongside the head of City General Hospital “8 September”, Dr. Hristijan Kostov, are set to attend a presentation of new equipment at the hospital.

State awards "September 8" for outstanding achievements in the field of sports, organized by the Youth and Sport Agency, will be presented in the Parliament.

The marking of Independence Day will continue in the City Park in Skopje, where units of the Army of North Macedonia and the Interior Ministry will hold demonstration exercises.

During the day, at the same location, all interested citizens will have a chance to participate in a series of sports activities organized in cooperation with the Youth and Sport Agency.

The event in the City Park will be attended by Prime Minister Kovachevski and members of the Government.

Within the observances, an "Open Day for Citizens" will take place under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, including free admission in cultural institutions, museums, galleries and archaeological sites nationwide.

The Museum of Macedonian Struggle for Independence will show video-stories on exceptional women from Macedonian history, rarities from the museum collections, authentic videos from the preparations for the 1903 Ilinden Uprising, World War I remembrances, as well as videos from the 1991 referendum and declaration of independence, said the Ministry of Culture.

The Museum programme also includes a concert of stringed quartet "Luj", exhibit "Cornerstone of Statehood" dedicated to the key events of the state's formation - Ilinden 1903, Ilinden 1944 and declaration of independence 1991.

The National Opera and Ballet will hold a concert of renowned opera arias at the institution's plateau at 8 pm.

The Cinematheque will screen two films of the most recent Macedonian production that have been loved by audiences and received many awards - Honeyland of Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov (6 pm), followed by Secret Ingredient of Gjorche Stavreski (8 pm).

The Children and Youth Theatre will perform "Giga Mega Fairy Tale" directed by Hana Milenkovska in the City Park (11 am).

On September 8, free admission is available at archaeological sites Stobi, Heraclea and Bargala, Kokino megalith observatory, ASNOM Memorial Center in Pelince, Robevci House in Ohrid, church St.Spas in Skopje, open-air museum Tumba Madzari in Skopje, Tobacco Museum and Uchastakot in Prilep, Turkish Post and icon gallery in church Ss.Fifteen Tiberiopol Martyrs in Strumica, Toshe Proeski memorial home in Krushevo, Mother Teresa memorial home in Skopje, Archeological Museum, Museum of Macedonian Struggle for Independence, Museum of North Macedonia, Museum of Natural History, Museum of Contemporary Arts, National Gallery of North Macedonia, Daut Pasha Hamam and Chifte Hamam, and Tetovo Art Gallery.

Entrance is also free of charge in the museums in Ohrid, Bitola, Prilep, Strumica, Shtip, Struga, Kumanovo, Gevgelija, Krushevo, Tetovo, Museum of Albanian Alphabet in Bitola and Museum of Western Macedonia in WWII in Kichevo.

On Sept. 8, 1991, an overwhelming majority of citizens – over 95 percent – said they were ‘in favor of an independent Macedonia with the right to join a future alliance of sovereign Yugoslav states’.

The referendum was preceded by the Declaration of Independence passed on Jan. 25, 1991 by the first multi-party Macedonian Parliament.

The will of the people for an independent state was confirmed with the Declaration on the Acceptance of Referendum Results on Sept. 18, 1991 in the Macedonian Parliament.

The next important step in the strengthening of the new state was the adoption of the Constitution on Nov. 17, 1991.

Today, North Macedonia is an independent and sovereign state, recognized by its neighbors, a member of NATO and negotiating with the EU to join.

In the past three decades, the country has gone through a myriad of difficulties. A triple-digit inflation in the early 1990s, the Greek embargo, the Kosovo refugee crisis and the 2001 conflict were serious challenges and threats for the young Macedonian state hindering its path in accomplishing the strategic goals – strengthening of democracy, economic development and integration with the Euro-Atlantic institutions.

The country’s Euro-Atlantic integration path was opened by the signing of the Prespa Agreement on June 17, 2018, solving the decades-long name dispute with Greece, which had blocked the country’s EU membership aspirations.

On March 27, 2020, North Macedonia officially joined NATO after the national assemblies of its 29 members passed the country’s membership ratification.

After 15 years, EU leaders approved in March 2020 the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia. The country became a candidate to join the bloc in 2005. Following yet another blockade from Bulgaria, the country has now started a process to incorporate the Bulgarians in the Constitution in order to continue the EU accession negotiations.