Vandals attack North Macedonia
statues amid debate over history
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| Statue of Alexander the Great in Skopje (AFP) |
North Macedonia's government faces an uphill battle in
efforts to re-label public statues of historical figures, as vandals opposing
the move have already removed several plaques.
By Stefan J. Bos
Critics say North Macedonia's government is re-writing
history. That's why vandals have removed plaques installed this week on three
statues in the capital, Skopje.
The plaques placed near statues of ancient Greek
warrior-king Alexander the Great and his family, clarified that they belong to
ancient Greek history.
One of the plaques removed was reportedly retrieved later
Friday, and no arrests were made.
Greece has accused its neighbor of trying to appropriate
ancient Greek culture and of harboring territorial claims on northern
Greece.
Agreement with Greece
North Macedonia denied these claims.
Under a breakthrough deal to normalize relations after
nearly 30 years, the country was renamed North Macedonia this year. In return,
Greece agreed to back its bid to become a member of the NATO military alliance
and the European Union.
About a dozen statues all over North Macedonia are getting
new labels, including a huge equestrian one in central Skopje of
Alexander, who lived in the 4th century B.C.
Local authorities have also been ordered to remove copies of
an ancient symbol known as the Sun of Vergina from all public buildings
and areas.
The 16-rayed sun is associated with Alexander's family found
in a royal tomb in northern Greece. From 1992-1995, it was put on the flag of
then-Macedonia.
Broader changes
These aren't the only objects facing changes. Earlier,
workers in North Macedonia pasted labels featuring the words Republic of North
Macedonia on a sign on the border with Greece.
The move was the first step in the formal change of the
country's name in line with an agreement with Greece.
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