Skopje, 1 April 2023 (MIA) – April 1 is the Day of Archives and Archivists. The State Archives is a significant scientific-historical and cultural institution, which for the past 72 years has been a vital repository of historical materials and documents that provide insight into the country's past.

The adoption of the General Law on State Archives of Yugoslavia in 1950 was the basis for the National Assembly of the People's Republic of Macedonia on 6 January 1951 to adopt the Law on State Archives, which established the creation of the Archives of Macedonia (then State Archives of the Republic of Macedonia).

The first normative act in the field of archival legislation in the Republic of Macedonia, set not only the establishment of the Archives of Macedonia and its tasks, but also determined the establishment of several regional archives and archives in order to more intensively collect, store, preserve and process the archival material that is created in the institutions of the new state, and even more to engage in the collection and preservation of archival material used to study the history of the Macedonian nation. In the period from 1953 to 1960, nine regional historic archives were established and started operating, and with the new Law on Archival Material in 1990 they became part of the Archives of Macedonia as regional units, as follows: Bitola, Kumanovo, Ohrid, Prilep, Skopje, Strumica, Tetovo, Titov Veles and Shtip.

The State Archives is a member of several international organizations – the International Council on Archives (ICA) and the International Centre for Archival Research (ICARUS).

The State Archives is responsible for collecting and preserving records of historical and cultural significance. It also undertakes educational activities, exhibitions, conferences, and workshops for promoting the study of history for raising awareness of the importance of preserving historical documents.

The State Archives started digitizing all the documents it owns. It is planned to digitize 25,000 documents, which will enable their greater protection and availability to all citizens as well as to the scientific public.

On this day, we give recognition, respect, and gratitude to archivists from all over the country for their contribution, for their tireless work to preserve the cultural and historical heritage of our country, as well as for their commitment to the protection of our heritage for future generations, the State Archives said in a press release.

Photo: State Archives