Skopje, 11 October 2024 (MIA) - The National Uprising Day – October 11 was celebrated Friday with a formal academy, laying of flowers, and the presentation of awards. In celebration of the national holiday October 11, numerous associations, citizens, government and parliamentary delegations, state institutions, representatives from embassies, organizations, and political parties laid flowers in Skopje, Prilep, and Kumanovo.

The formal academy marking the Day of the National Uprising of the Macedonian People - October 11, was held at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Independence, under the patronage of the President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova.

President Siljanovska Davkova noted in her speech that October 11 marks the day when the Macedonian people decisively chose the right side in the largest war in human history. She stated, “It is no coincidence that the Macedonian state, for which the Ilinden fighters aspired to and for which e anti-fascists struggled, has endured for 80 years.”

The Macedonian anthem, she added, symbolizes the unstoppable struggle for justice, and as she stated, it celebrates the continuity with Ilinden, heralding the freedom of Macedonia.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, ministers, parliament members, and representatives from the diplomatic corps were also in attendance at the formal academy.

A government delegation, including the Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski, the Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska, and the Deputy Prime Minister for the Political System Ljupcho Dimovski, laid wreaths Friday at the Partisan Cemetery Memorial in Butel and at the Monument to the Liberators of Skopje in front of the Government, in honor of the brave fighters of 1941 who began the organized resistance against fascism.

“Their struggle and self-sacrifice paved the way to the freedom we enjoy today. This day serves as a reminder of our duty to continue building a state where justice, equality, and respect for all citizens prevail. Thanks to these heroes, we have our free and sovereign Macedonia today. May their bravery be our inspiration for a better and brighter future,” underscored Minister Toshkovski.

At the Partisan Cemetery Memorial in Butel, a delegation from SDSM also laid flowers. Sanja Lukarevska, Sasha Dimitrijevski, and Natalija Spirovska paid their respects in honor of the brave fighters.

Numerous delegations paid their respects Friday at the Mound of the Unbeaten memorial in Prilep, to mark the National Uprising Day - October 11.

In Prilep, a government delegation, including Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy Cvetan Tripunovski, Deputy Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Ana Lashkoska, and Deputy Minister of Economy and Labor Marjan Risteski, laid flowers at the monuments of Metodija Andonov - Chento, Kuzman Josifovski - Pitu, and the Mound of the Unbeaten memorial.

“Today we are here to preserve tradition, to remind ourselves of the past which serves as a guide for the future. We build unity; throughout the years, Macedonia has resisted to achieve what it is today. It is our duty to continue building tradition, to maintain all good neighborly relations, and of course, to preserve our Republic of Macedonia,” Tripunovski said.

According to Prilep mayor Borche Jovcheski, Prilep - the hero city - stands proudly as a monument to defiance, courage, and the struggle for freedom. Guests from numerous associations in Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia attended the commemoration.

Minister of Public Administration Goran Minchev, joined by Minister of Sports Borko Ristovski, and Deputy Minister for Digital Transformation Radoslav Nastastijevikj Vardziski, laid flowers on Friday at the Memorial Ossuary in Kumanovo to mark the National Uprising Day - October 11.

Minchev highlighted the importance of this day, which signifies the start of the Macedonian people's struggle for liberation in 1941. He noted that the bravery, unity, and resolve that characterized the uprising continue to motivate the country's endeavors to create a stronger, more just, and democratic society.

The ceremony in Kumanovo was attended by high government officials, local representatives, representatives of veterans' associations, members of the diplomatic corps, and citizens. Members of Parliament Brane Petrushevski, Oliver Spasovski and Pavle Arsoski also laid flowers at the Memorial Ossuary in Kumanovo.

Addressing the attendees, Kumanovo's mayor, Maksim Dimitrijevski, expressed his pride in paying respects to the courageous fighters and heroes who laid down their lives for a free Macedonia. He also touched on the formation of the Kozjak and Karadak units from Kumanovo, which represented the freedom-seeking aspirations of the people.

At the Memorial Ossuary in Kumanovo, a delegation led by the MP and spokesperson of the Levica, Amar Mezinovikj, laid flowers together with Nikola Lazarovski and Dejan Dimovski.

The spirit of resistance and defiance demonstrated on that October 11 endures to this day; it is a driving force for change and a better tomorrow. It is the thought that propels us forward, that it can and must always be better. While our ancestors aimed to liberate the state, our goal is to develop Macedonia, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said in a message on the National Uprising Day – October 11.

Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi also extended congratulations to the citizens on the occasion of October 11, stating that on this day we remember and celebrate the heroic and relentless struggle of the fighters for the freedom of our state. As he pointed out, regardless of the sacrifices, obstacles, and difficulties they faced in their struggle, they persevered and fought for the freedom in which we live today.

The annual state award “11 October” National Award for 2024 for outstanding achievements in science, art, economy and other areas of public interest was given at a ceremony in Parliament on Friday.

The award in the field of science was granted to Prof. Dr. Marko Kitevski, a researcher of Macedonian folklore, while the award for lifetime achievement in culture and the arts were presented to multimedia artist Ljupcho Karov, academic painter Vladimir Temkov, and actor and producer Jovica Mihajlovski.

On October 11, 1941, the first Prilep partisan unit attacked the police station and the telephone network in Prilep, and the next day, October 12, the partisans of the Kumanovo unit also organized an attack.

October 11 is considered a continuation of the progressive traditions of the Macedonian freedom-loving people, evident in similar revolts in the 19th and 20th century, but also in efforts made for social and national liberation during the Balkan Wars and the First World War.

By deciding to join the anti-fascist coalition, Macedonia stood on the side of progressive humanity fighting against fascism.

The people won their own freedom. Starting with the first partisan units, the National Liberation Army of Macedonia by the end of the 4-year war was turned into a well-organized, 110,000-strong army with high-ranking military formations.

The years of struggle were crowned by decisions reached at the First Session of ASNOM in 1944 under which the centuries-long ideals for a Macedonian state had become a reality.

The country in 2024 is marking the National Uprising Day as a member of the United Nations and NATO and is expecting to hold its first intergovernmental conference, marking the start of negotiations for European Union membership.

Photo: MIA archive