On this day Skopje celebrates its liberation from fascist occupation in 1944, remembering the heroes who fought and died to secure its freedom.
The Germans took control of Skopje in April, 1941, and before the end of the month turned the city over to their Bulgarian fascist allies. Almost immediately, Skopians organized resistance against the occupying forces. Even though the number of active resistance fighters was still quite small, perhaps less than 1000 people, they managed to disrupt the occupiers by sabotaging the airport, the train station, and local mines.Over the next couple of years many of the resistance fighters would be caught and executed, but new recruits would always appear to raise the banner of freedom in their place.
At first the resistance was a fight to overthrow occupation, but by 1943 it had grown into a determined war of liberation hoping to establish an independent Macedonian state. On 2 August, 1944, the Macedonians held the first meeting of the Anti-Fascist Assembly for the People’s Liberation of Macedonia (MK: Антифашистичко Собрание на Народното Ослободување на Македонија), known by the acronym ASNOM, and elected Metodija Andonov-Čento as President. ASNOM issued a manifesto declaring its intention to form an independent Macedonian state.
As the Axis powers began to falter, the number of active Macedonian troops grew to over 60,000 fighters. They waged campaigns around the country, supported by Yugoslav, Bulgarian (after switching sides), and Russian forces, wrestling for control against the better armed and trained German troops. What the Macedonians lacked in weaponry, however, they made up for with a fighting spirit, and, after several hard days of battle, the 42nd and 50th Macedonian divisions managed to liberate Skopje on 13 November, 1944. Thousands came out to celebrate.
The government marks this day by laying fresh flowers on the tombs of the fallen soldiers and in front of the new statue of Chento on Macedonia Square.
Today, Skopje is in the process of a major facelift, giving the historic center a completely new look. It is more modern, livelier, and through the addition of statues and monuments, more conscious of its history and heritage. It is as though a public desire for identity has finally spilled out onto every street and square, celebrating he heroes of its past. This is especially visible through the Skopje 2014 project, which also includes the opening of the Museum of the Macedonian War of Liberation and the VMRO Museum.
This date is marked by two special annual events: the Golden Nightingale Children’s Festival and the presentation of the 13 November Award, the highest recognition given by the city of Skopje.
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