Skopje, 26 July 2022 (MIA) – This day, which marks 59 years since the catastrophic Skopje earthquake, is a day inscribed in the memory of the city of solidarity, said Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski on the anniversary of the 1963 Skopje earthquake. “On this day in 1963, at exactly 5:17 in the morning, the heart of Skopje stopped briefly. The catastrophic earthquake claimed many lives and caused enormous material damage. But, thanks to the effort and resolve of the citizens of Skopje and friends from the entire world who selflessly lent their hands, a new Skopje was born amid the ruins. A Skopje which became a synonym of solidarity, ethnic and architectural diversity, and of a new, modern cosmopolitan spirit. This is the real soul of the city,” wrote PM Kovachevski in a Facebook post. Kovachevski said that July 26 is a reminder of our duty to pass on to the new generations the love, spirit and sacrifice with which the city was built and developed, but also to remind them never to forget the victims of the earthquake, who we honour on this day. ad/ba/