Explore & discoverHolidays

Uprising Belonging to All

The Republic of Macedonia is a multicultural society. While the majority of societies in the modern globalized world can be described as such, multiculturalism in Macedonia has deep roots. Different nationalities and cultures contributed to the political thinking and struggle that eventually lead to emergence of the Macedonian state.

Present day Macedonia owes its statehood to three political acts in of the 20th century: the Ilinden Uprising of 1903 that started on August 2, the declaration of the Macedonian state by the Anti-fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia on August 2, 1944 and the declaration of independence in 1991. All the political declarations made on those occasions as well as the Constitution reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of the country. As this summer we will again celebrate the 2nd of August, the day of Saint Elijah, as one of the most glorious days in the modern history of Macedonia, let us remember how Macedonian statesmen have addressed the issues of ethnic, cultural and religious diversity.

The 1903 uprising against the Ottoman Empire established the Krusevo Republic following the liberation of the town of Krusevo. On August 2, 1903, Macedonian freedom fighters started an insurrection and established the first, although short-lived, republic in the Balkans. The regional staff of the rebels set up a local authority with representative executive and legislative bodies. It lasted for only ten days but it brought out the manifesto that summoned all citizens of Macedonia regardless of religion and ethnicity to a struggle against tyranny. Read more …