Skopje: Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Statehood and Independence, Museum of IMRO and Museum of the Victims of the Communist Regime

A few weekends ago we visited the

Museum of the Macedonian Struggle for Statehood and Independence
the Museum of IMRO and Museum of the Victims of the Communist Regime




The museum is new, and the exhibits are very impressive.

 According to the Museum's brochure, the museum "is a specialized museum with historical expositions and a goal to originally present the historical, cultural, and revolutionary traditions of Macedonia and the Macedonian people in their centuries-long struggle for forming our own national state on the Balkans."

 Although I should add that this Museum is not for the faint of heart (and may not be appropriate for young children) - as there is much bloodshed and some gruesome scenes (accompanied by sound effects).  (For example, there is a life-size hanging (while his wife and children looked on, a part of the punishment) and an old woman being tortured for information about her son.)  The exhibits and the presentations were emotionally charged -- more dramatic, I would say, than most museums you may have visited.

If nothing else, you certainly leave the museum with the impression that "freedom isn't free" and that there is a continuous struggle for freedom and self-determination.

Neighboring Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and others may have different interpretations of events and individuals depicted in the museum, but we had an excellent guide who did his best to provide a balanced view of the subject(s).

At the time we went, we were the only ones going through the museum, so we had a private tour in English.  As we moved through the museum, being introduced to so many individuals at once, several of whom were described as "assassins," my daughter repeatedly asked if this individual or that individual was a "good guy" or a "bad guy."  A tricky question, of course, as it (often) depends on one's perspective.  (I used our Revolutionary War as an example: "traitors" versus "patriots")

We appreciated learning more about the leaders whose names we recognized because of the monuments and the streets and the towns that are named for them. 

We learned a great deal on the tour. Of course, we still have so much more to learn about Macedonia and the Balkans, but this museum provided thought-provoking exhibits and material for us to consider.

in the rotunda

In this case are copies of the Declaration of Independence

these are the paintings in the rotunda area

the space/museum can be rented for events

these are wax figures of famous people in history, not necessarily Macedonians

the Declaration of Independence (page 1 of 3)

the Declaration of Independence -- September 8, 1991

We were not allowed to take pictures in the Museum (once entering the exhibit area), but you can see many photos of the exhibits on their website (although I did not find pictures of the more graphic exhibits)

Here is the museum's website: http://mmb.org.mk/index.php/mk/

And here are a few sample pictures from the Museum's website -- so you can see the life size wax figures in the life size dioramas. The exhibits did have a way of making you feel like you were there -- a part of the action. 






 Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (1893-1903)



"NIKOLA KAREV (1877-1905)
He was a teacher, a warlord, a socialist and a revolutionary activist of the MRO. He participated as a delegate at the Smilevo Congress in May 1903, where he expressed his disagreement to the decision to raise an uprising at that moment, because he felt that the preparations for weapons supply were not fully complete. After the liberation of Krushevo, he was elected President of the Krushevo Republic. He was killed during a clash with an Ottoman military troop in 1905."

If you have the time, I would recommend taking a look around the Museum's website.

And -- a note about the Museum's Gift Shop:

We were happy to find additional Macedonian travel guides (in English) and I FINALLY found a great Skopje map (of the city center) now that we know our way around. I also bought a book about the museum that has many pictures of the people/events depicted in the exhibits.