Museum of Macedonian Struggle for Sovereignty and Independence celebrates 5th anniversary

Over 200,000 domestic and foreign visitors from 80 countries have toured the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Sovereignty and Independence since September 2011, when it opened its doors in honor of the 20th anniversary of the declaration of Macedonia's independence.

Over 50 state delegations visit the Museum each year. It also hosts about 150-200 events on annual basis.

In the course of its 5 year-existence, the Museum has joined international associations, established cooperation with similar institutions and received two international recognitions - European Museum Academy Award and the 'Ziva' Award, bestowed by the Forum of Slavic Cultures. Next year the Museum will host the European Museum Academy Awards ceremony. It has also organized workshops for students, as well as published a monograph and a catalogue of its collection of paintings.

We have succeeded as today the Museum is one of the most attractive cultural institutions in Macedonia in terms of visitors, Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska Milevska told a press conference Friday.

The Museum's exhibit covers the period from the beginning of the resistance movement against the Ottoman rule, until the declaration of independence on 8 September 1991, showcasing photos and wax sculptures of prominent revolutionaries, scholars and idealists who aspired for independent Macedonia.

The Museum has turned into a distinguished promoter of Macedonia's culture and history, its director Branislav Svetozarevic said, extending gratitude to all of those who supported the institution's development and donated works of art.