Paper short abstract:

I will look at the current debate amongst citizens over the governments “ Spiritual Revitalisation” of  the city of Skopje through erections of monumental statues and buildings via that the eradication of green spaces and socialist history. The significant issue of  Skopje 2014, putting aside the cost aspect of this project, is, that the concrete ‘erections’ serve no other purpose but to be erected. The project is led by politicians who define the style, the kind and the ‘story’ of Skopje 2014’s cementing over Skopje’s socialist and Ottoman past according to some, whereas others call it an ‘art-revolution. 

Paper long abstract:

Skopje 2014 is a highly advertised and contested re-modeling of the city of Skopje, capital of the Republic of Macedonia. Having been rebuilt once before after the devastating earthquake of 1963 in which 80% of the city was destroyed Skopje today is being re-build as' timeless capital.' In my ethnography I will explore the environmental, aesthetic, political and economical contentions amongst Skopje's citizens about Skopje 2014. I am not asking why or by whom Skopje 2014 is being created, but what is being created?  Alongside Skopje 2014, school-books and rituals are being changed as well. Whereas before Slavic tribes immigrated 600 A.D. into ancient Macedonia, today, with Skopje 2014, the Republic of Macedonia is inhabited by genetically true and ancient Macedonians refuting the Southern's Neighbours' claim on Macedonian identity and its subsequent exclusion from the European Union and Nato. As such I will be looking at the creation of truth and political and educational enforcement of legitimacy via Lions, Bulls and a Warrior on a Horse.