Skopje, 11 February 2025 (MIA) – “Strada Brutalissima”, a project by four authors, including Blagoja Bajkovski, Ana Rafailovska, Nevenka Mancheva Adzievska and Marija Antikj Nikolovska, will represent North Macedonia in the 19th International Architecture Exhibition, taking place from May 10 until November 23 in Venice. “Strada Brutalissima” is focused on Skopje’s brutalist architecture, considered a unique and paradigmatic layer of the city’s post-earthquake history.

Organized by the National Gallery, the exhibit’s commissionaires include Frosina Zafirovska and Maja Nedelkovska Brzanova. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism has financially assisted the project after being proposed by the National Gallery.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Minister of Culture and Tourism Zoran Ljutkov said he was confident that the country will be adequately represented at the upcoming biennale.

The 19th International Architecture Exhibition, titled “Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective”, is a global platform of architectural concepts, according to him.

“The Macedonian national pavilion at this year’s biennale of architecture in Venice after seven years will be again located in one of the most prestigious exhibition venues – the Arsenale, the epicentre of the biennale. This year, only 20 countries have this honor in addition to the hosting country, Italy. I’m confident that the Republic of Macedonia will be adequately represented with us contributing to sharing of new experiences, ideas and energy in the field of architecture,” said Ljutkov.

“Strada Brutalissima” was the only project that was submitted to the call, said Jovan Ivanovski, a professor of architecture and a member of the commission tasked with picking the project.

The fact that only one project was submitted wasn’t a shortcoming, quite the contrary, he told the news conference. “The commission had an in-depth insight into the content. In the end, we decided that the project fully meets the conditions and criteria to be part of the Venice biennale,” said Ivanovski.

Blagoja Bajkovski, one of the authors and curator of the project, said “Strada Brutalissima” focuses on the brutalist architecture of Skopje after the deadly 1963 earthquake.

Skopje had adopted brutalism after the earthquake from various sources, he mentioned.

“Kenzo Tange’s visionary masterplan for the reconstruction of the city’s center was of crucial influence, shaping its modern integrity while the Macedonian architects integrated influences from the broader international practice. Over time, brutalism became a specific layer of Skopje’s urban tissue, recognizable for its mature forms and structural innovations,” he told the news conference.

Photo/video: MIA