Kokino - megalithic observatory

Kokino (Macedonian: Кокино) is an important archaeological site and a megalithic observatory discovered in 2001 by archeologist Jovica Stankovski in the northeastern Republic of Macedonia, approximately 30 km from the town of Kumanovo, near the village of Staro Nagoričane The Megalithic Observatory Kokino is located in the north-east part of Macedonia, near the border with Serbia (more accurate: latitude 42° 15" 47', longitude 21° 57" 32').

The observatory Kokino is near the village Kokino, on the border-line with the village Arbanasko. The entire region today is with small density of population as there are less than 1000 inhabitants in the area of the ten nearby villages.

Wider region registers great number of archaeological sites dated from the time of Neolith up to the Meddle Age indicating the history rich with important settlements, sanctuaries, events and people of at least 6000 years.


The site is more than 3800 years old. The oldest archaeological finds date from the Early Bronze Age. Finds from the Middle Bronze Age are the most numerous (mainly ceramic vessels, stone-mills and a few molds). 

An agglomeration from the Iron Age has also been discovered. The archaeo-astronomical research was carried out by the Bulgarian astro-physicians A. Stoev and M. Mulgova and continued in 2002 by physicist Gjore Cenev from the Planetarium at MKC in Skopje, who got involved in the researches of the site and made the first more comprehensive archeo-astronomical analysis.


Kokino consists of two parts. It includes special stone markers used to track the movement of the Sun and Moon on the eastern horizon. The observatory used the method of stationary observation, marking positions of the Sun at the winter and summer solstice, as well as the equinox.



Kokino has been nominated to be included on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list.


The importance of the site was confirmed by the U.S. space agency NASA, which placed it on its list of ancient observatories.

1. Abu Simbel, Egypt
2. Stonehenge, Great Britain
3. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
4. Kokino, Macedonia
5. Goseck circle, Germany

Sources: wikipedia, Kokino - The official website

National Anthem of Republic of Macedonia

It is my honour, to present to you the national anthem of Republic of Macedonia. Knowing that four days from now, is one of the most important dates in macedonian history and a national holiday - 2nd of August (Ilinden), i thought that is the right moment to present to all of you the anthem.

DENES NAD MAKEDONIJA


Macedonian:
(latin letters inscription)


Denes nad Makedonija se ragja
novo sonce na slobodata
Makedoncite se borat
za svoite pravdini!
Makedoncite se borat
za svoite pravdini!


Odnovo sega znameto se vee
na Krushevskata Republika
Goce Delchev, Pitu Guli
Dame Gruev, Sandanski!
Goce Delchev, Pitu Guli
Dame Gruev, Sandanski!


Gorite Makedonski shumno peat
novi pesni, novi vesnici
Makedonija slobodna
slobodna zhivee!
Makedonija slobodna
slobodna zhivee!


English:


Today on Macedonia, is born
the new sun of liberty
The Macedonians fight
for their own rights!
The Macedonians fight
for their own rights!


For now on, the flag flies
(that) of the Krushevo Republic
Goce Delchev, Pitu Guli
Dame Gruev, Sandanski!
Goce Delchev, Pitu Guli
Dame Gruev, Sandanski!


The burning Macedonian forests sing
(of) new songs, new news
Macedonia is liberated
Liberty lives!
Macedonia is liberated
Liberty lives!

Leva Patika - Nepravda

Leva patika (eng. Left Sneaker) is a Macedonian pop-rock band from Skopje, who was very active in ex-Yugoslavia in late70s/early80s. Even now-a-days they are still known by their big hit 'Nepravda' (eng. Unjustice).


Members of the band 'Leva Patika' were:

• Granit Taki (ex - 'Pu') - vocals
• Ramiz Jusufi Ciki (ex - 'Pu') - keyboards
• Aljoša Ismailovski - bass
• Dragan Gruevski - guitar
• Boško Donevski Čiko - drums

Lake Prespa and Prespa region

Prespa is the name of two freshwater lakes in southeast Europe, shared by Greece, Albania, and the Republic of Macedonia. Of the total surface area, 190 km² belongs to the Republic of Macedonia, 84.8 km² to Greece and 38.8 km² to Albania. They are the highest tectonic lakes in the Balkans, standing at an altitude of 853 m (2,798 ft).

 

The Great Prespa Lake (Macedonian: Преспанско Езеро, Prespansko Ezero, Greek: Μεγάλη Πρέσπα, Limni Megáli Préspa, Albanian: Prespa e Madhe) is divided between Albania, Greece and the Republic of Macedonia. 

The Small Prespa Lake (Greek: Μικρή Πρέσπα, Limni Mikrá Prespa; Albanian: Prespa e Vogël) is shared only between Greece (138 km² drainage area; 43.5 km² surface area) and Albania (51 km² drainage area; 3.9 km² surface area).

 

In the 10th century, the Car (Tsar) Samoil built the fortress and church of St. Achillius on an island called Agios Achillios in the Small Prespa Lake, on the Greek side of the border. The biggest island in the Great Prespa Lake, on the Republic of Macedonia's side, is called Golem Grad ("Large Town"), or Snake Island (Zmiski Ostrov). The other island Mal Grad (Small Town, in Albania) is the site of a ruined 14th century monastery dedicated to St. Peter. Today, both islands are uninhabited.

Because Great Prespa Lake sits about 150m above Lake Ohrid, which lies only about 10 km (6 miles) to the west, its waters run through underground channels in the karst and emerge from springs which feed streams running into Lake Ohrid.

For many years, the Greek part of the Prespa Lakes region was an underpopulated, military sensitive area which required special permission for outsiders to visit. 

It saw fierce fighting during the Greek Civil War and much of the local population subsequently emigrated to escape endemic poverty and political strife. The region remained little developed until the 1970s, when it began to be promoted as a tourist destination. With an abundance of rare fauna and flora, the area was declared a Transnational Park in 2000.

 

The largest town in the Prespa Lakes region is Resen in the Republic of Macedonia. Resen (Macedonian: Ресен) is a town in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. It has about 9,000 inhabitants. Resen is equidistant between Bitola and Ohrid. 

The town rises 880 meters above sea level and is very close to Lake Prespa. Resen is also the only town in the Prespa Lake area and is the seat of Resen Municipality.

Resen's history dates back to Roman times when the famous road Via Ignacia was built, passing through the city.

During the Middle Ages, the Prespa area was part of the Samoil's empire. After the Battle of Klyuch, some of Samoil's soldiers, who were each blinded in one eye, settled in a village on the shore of Lake Prespa. The Byzantines called the village Asamati. The Byzantine meaning of this word is "settlement of one-eyed people". From then on, Resen came under Byzantine rule.

Later, Resen became part of the Ottoman Empire, and it was the birth place of Ahmed Nyazi Bey, a Turk noble who was one of the initiators and leaders of the Young Turk Revolution which began in 1908. Bey's most famous monument in Resen is the Saraj, a château he built similarly to the Château de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley of France.

Resen has a mild continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, which makes it a tourist attaction, especially in summer. The climate and the quality of soil are key factors for Prespa's region to have a long tradition of agriculture. One of most important landmarks of Resen's today are the apple orchards, well known for the quality and specific taste of apples.

Macedonia easily passes over Kazakhstan (11-4)

After it’s victory 11-4 against Kazakhstan, Macedonia will compete against Brazil for the 13th place. Nonkovic's players crushed the Asians, and had full control over the game, as well as of the result. On Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. the play-off will take place.



In the previous matches in the group D, Macedonia came last, after losing against dominating USA and Italy squads, as well as from fast growing Romanian team.


This is a first appearance for the Macedonian water polo national team on FINA's World Chapmionship, after coming 8th on their debut show up last year, on the European championship in Malaga, Spain.

A Name is a Name

Today's press conference in Skopje was held, to inform the media about the on going post production of the 'on the road' documentary "A Name is a Name" and the launching of the trailer on the official web page.

'A Name is a Name' is a film conceived and developed by Icelander Sigurjon Einarsson. Though he now lives in Norway working with rock and roll artists, Sigurjon is a filmmaker by profession.


A cross between a documentary and a feature film, A Name is a Name is instead, a classic ‘road film', made largely on the proverbial and literal road over a period of seven months in the Republic of Macedonia.


At its heart, the film is about a group of people who call themselves Macedonians and what it means to them to be known as such.


The story line is that of a Scandinavian man who comes to Macedonia, rents a motorcycle, and travels around the country talking to Macedonians from all classes and backgrounds. The traveler, as he is known, never speaks on camera and in fact, we never learn his name or what country he hails from (in reality, the traveler is portrayed by director Sigurjon Einarsson). Instead, his thoughts are conveyed through Sir Andrew Motion with subtitles in English for the interviews.

Interspersed throughout the conversations will be Macedonia itself – the stunning landscapes and scenery that make up this gentle country and ancient land. Places and points of interest – monasteries and mosques, historical and archeological sites, towns, little hamlets and cities, lakes and mountains – that make Macedonia what it has been and what it is today. All these will be artfully woven into the narrative.

Musical tracks donated by Macedonian and internationally known artists will be artfully woven throughout the entire production.


Crew


- Sigurjon Einarsson (director)
- Sir Andrew Motion (narration)
- Jason Miko (producer)
- Production House 3X (production)
- Leading cover song 'A Name is a Name' performed by Morten Harket (frontman of the norvegian band A-HA) from his 2008 album 'Letter from Egypt'
- Rest of the soundtrack: Graham Nash - The Hollies (UK), Sigur Rós (Iceland), múm (Iceland), Monte Negro (USA), Kiril Dzajkovski (Macedonia) and Tose Proeski (Macedonia).

(parts from the text were take over from 'A Name is aName' web page)

Tradition: Made in Macedonia (promotional video)

Another beautiful promotional video of Republic of Macedonia, taken few years ago. Presenting the craftsmen, old architecture and the landscapes of the amazing nature, in the beginning of the last century. I sincerely hope, that this images will motivate you to learn a little bit more about Republic of Macedonia. Enjoy!

Teškoto - Lazaropole, Western Macedonia (1948)

This is a video from the archives of the Macedonian National Television (MVT) taped in 1948 in the mountain village of Lazaropole, in the western part of Republic of Macedonia.

Teskoto (Тешкото, Macedonian for "The Hard One"), is a Macedonian folk dance. Origins of this folk dance are from the western part of Republic of Macedonia and are related to whole Miak region. 

This traditional folk dance is the image of the hard life that Macedonian people lived starting from the second half of the 19th century. It is traditionally performed by the close family of a person who goes abroad to earn money for his family. This folk dance has inspired many artists and poets (for example Blaze Konevski and his poem "Teskoto" - "The Hard One").

Now, something about the village of Lazaropole. Lazaropole (Macedonian Cyrillic: Лазарополе) is a settlement in the Republic of Macedonia. Situated on a plateau at Mount Bistra and surrounded by beech and oak forest; at 1,350 m altitude, it is one of the highest settlements in the country.

The village is named after a medieval local hero, Lazar, who according to a legend was the sole survivor of a Turkish attack on his village, the rest of the townspeople were killed in the cave where they had sought refuge, Lazar, the only survivor, crawled outside and built a new town.

There are about 400 houses in the village. The older ones reveal the traces of the Mijaci highland building style. The village was the birthplace of numerous authors, educators, carvers, teachers, fresco and icon painters, and constructors. Especially picturesque are the village church of St. Gjorgi, built in 1838, and the small churches in the forests near the village.

The epic folk dance Teškoto ("The hard one/dance"), is from the area of Lazaropole.

Explore Macedonia - short info (part 1)

The Republic of Macedonia has some 748 km of boundaries, shared with Serbia (62 km) to the North, Kosovo (159 km) to the northwest, Bulgaria (148 km) to the east, Greece (228 km) to the south, and Albania (151 km) to the west. The country represents a major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe.

The country is part of the wider region of Macedonia, from which carries its own name. It is a landlocked country, but has three natural lakes: Ohrid Lake, Prespa Lake and Dojran Lake.  The land area is 25 713 km2.


The country is situated on a mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line. The Republic of Macedonia is bisected by the Vardar River.



The Republic's terrain is mostly rugged, located between the Šar Mountains and Osogovo, which frame the valley of the Vardar river. Three large lakes — Lake Ohrid, Lake Prespa and Dojran Lake — lie on the southern borders of the Republic, bisected by the frontiers with Albania and Greece. 

Ohrid is considered to be one of the oldest lakes and biotopes in the world. The region is seismically active and has been the site of destructive earthquakes in the past, most recently in 1963 when Skopje was heavily damaged by a major earthquake, killing over 1,000.

Macedonia has three national parks and a few national nature reserves.

* National parks:
 - Pelister National Park
 - Galičica
 - Mavrovo

* Special nature reservations:
- Ezerani
- Jasen

Macedonia Timeless (part II)

This was the second video in the government campaign named, Macedonia timeless. It was directed by Ivo Trajkov and released few months ago on CNN and other international media, for promoting macedonian nature, history and culture. Enjoy the beauties of Macedonia. Macedonia ...timeless!

Macedonia gets visa liberalization!

Macedonia finally gets a visa liberalization! Macedonians can travel without visas in the EU countries and the countries of the Schengen Agreement, after 1st of January 2010.



Twenty-nine countries, including 25 European Union states and non-EU members Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein and Switzerland are bound to the full set of rules in the Schengen Agreement. "The Commission's proposal needs to be approved by the [European] Council after having consulted the European Parliament," the statement added.

Macedonia has met all necessary conditions for visa liberalization, but for Serbia and Montenegro, the entry into force of the visa waiver will depend on fulfillment of all remaining open benchmarks of their respective roadmaps by the date of adoption of this proposal by the Council, the statement said.

This proposal for granting visas was made for Serbia and Montenegro, as well.

Poslusajte patrioti - Nikola Badev

One of the most beautiful macedonian patriotic songs, explaining the situation of one Macedonian freedom fighter and his life golgotha. This song was performed by Nikola Badev, one of the greatest macedonian singers. On the video you can se the lyrics in macedonian.


The video was taken from Youtube.

Beautiful Macedonia Vol. 1

One more beautiful collage of photos from Macedonia, followed by the anthological 1990 song "Biser Balkanski" performed by Goce Nikolovski. This collage was taken from youtube!

Goran Pandev - Una magia 19

Goran Pandev is the best fooball player that Macedonia has in this moment, and one of the best players in the history of macedonia football together with ones like Darko Pancev, Sasa Ciric, Ilija Najdovski and Gjorgi Hristov. For the last five years he played for SS Lazio from Rome in the Italian Seria A.

In his honour, Macedonian musician created this song. It is performed by Toni Zen and Tamara Todevska. Goran Pandev - icon of the macedonian football!!! Forza Pandev! ;-)

Baklava - Mori cupi kosturcanki

One more great song from the ethno band Baklava! Enjoy!

Baklava (Macedonian: Баклава) is a Macedonian ethno music acoustic band with a minimalistic musical concept. The songs are performed by female vocal and traditional folk instruments, especially string and percussion instruments tambura and bendir. Their key challenge is to create original music based on the aesthetic achievements of traditional Macedonian music. 

They also perform old traditional songs of ethnic Macedonians living in Aegean Macedonia. The band held several concerts in Republic of Macedonia, Balkans and Europe and anticipated in several festivals, including the renowned Skopje Jazz Festival, Sfinks Festival in Belgium and Balkan Music Square festival in Ohrid.

Band members

* Elena Hristova, vocals, kaval
* Nikola Nikolov, tambura
* Vladimir Martinovski, tambura
* Dejan Sibinovski, bendir

Republic of Macedonia - The land of colours

A small and beautiful country nestled in the southeast of Europe, Macedonia offers its visitors a unique blend of natural wonders, traditions and cultures - as well as a long tradition of unrivaled hospitality. From their savory cuisine to their love of music, dance and general merrymaking, Macedonians know how to make their guests feel at home. Combining these qualities with the country’s dramatic mountains and canyons, its deep lakes and rivers, Macedonia has something for everyone… This video is courtesy of Publisher - Zona, and the music is made by Dragan Dautovski.

Quote from Archeo blog

Mile Kuzmanovski - Ne kani me

Mile Kuzmanovski is one of the best Macedonian folk singers. I don't know in which category a should put this song, a serenade or a folk ballad, but I am sure that you will all like it! Very emotional song.

Republic of Macedonia - Cradle of culture, land of nature!

Promotional video of the macedonian beauties, natural heritage, landscapes, architecture and music. Enjoy this collage of pictures followed by the fantastic performance of he macedonian pop diva - Karolina Gocheva, singing a traditional macedonian song "Se posvrsi serbes Donka".

Republic of Macedonia - Cradle of culture, land of nature!

Tose Proeski - Jano mori

Todor "Toše" Proeski (Macedonian: Тодор „Тоше" Проески) (January 25, 1981 – October 16, 2007) was a famous Macedonian pop singer. 

He was popular across the entire Balkan area and further north, and locally he was considered a top act of the Macedonian music scene. Proeski was known for his trademark quote "Ve sakam site" (I Love You All), and called "Elvis Presley of the Balkans" by BBC News.He died in a car crash in Croatia on October 16, 2007.


During the early morning of October 16, 2007, at 6:20 a.m., Proeski died in a car accident on the Zagreb–Lipovac highway near Nova Gradiška, Croatia. He was a passenger along with his manager Ljiljana Petrović in a Volkswagen Touareg driven by Georgij Georgijevski. 

The Touareg crashed into the back of a truck and then into the median barrier, killing Proeski instantly, crushing the third vertebrae of the neck, although the truck sustained no damage. Proeski was asleep in the front passenger seat at the time of the crash. Of the other two passengers, only the driver suffered serious injuries (head trauma).


Proeski's body arrived at midnight in Skopje by helicopter of the Macedonian army, and was transported by car to his home town Kruševo. Grieving citizens gathered to pay their last respects at the airport and also in Macedonia Square. The Embassy of the United States of America, the USAID and the Diplomatic mission of the European Union published official statements on the death of Toše Proeski. 

October 17 was pronounced a national day of mourning in Macedonia. The three days following his death were pronounced days of mourning in the City of Kruševo.


After his death, the government of the Republic of Macedonia, gave him the title "Honorable citizen of Macedonia"


Albums

* Nekade Vo Nokta(Macedonian language) (1999)
* Sinot Božji (Macedonian language)(2000)
* Ako Me Pogledneš Vo Oči (Macedonian language version) /Ako Me Pogledaš U Oči (Serbian language version) (2002)
* Den Za Nas (Macedonian language version) /Dan Za Nas (Serbian language version) (2004)
* Po tebe (Macedonian language version)/Pratim Te (Serbian language version) (2005)
* Božilak (Traditional Macedonian folk songs) (2006)
* Igri bez granici (Macedonian language version) /Igra Bez Granica (Croatian language version) (2007)
* The Hardest Thing (2009) [post mortem] (English version)

Baklava - Tvojte oci Leno

Baklava (Macedonian: Баклава) is a Macedonian ethno music acoustic band with a minimalistic musical concept. 

The songs are performed by female vocal and traditional folk instruments, especially string and percussion instruments tambura and bendir. Their key challenge is to create original music based on the aesthetic achievements of traditional Macedonian music. They also perform old traditional songs of ethnic Macedonians living in Aegean Macedonia. 

The band held several concerts in Republic of Macedonia, Balkans and Europe and anticipated in several festivals, including the renowned Skopje Jazz Festival, Sfinks Festival in Belgium and Balkan Music Square festival in Ohrid.
 
Band members

* Elena Hristova, vocals, kaval
* Nikola Nikolov, tambura
* Vladimir Martinovski, tambura
* Dejan Sibinovski, bendir

sourse: Wikipedia

Macedonia - Cradle of culture, land of nature

Promotional video of the macedonian beauties, natural heritage, landscapes, architecture and music. Enjoy this short video clip. Republic of Macedonia - Cradle of culture, land of nature!

Foltin & Senko Velinov - Milice

A beautiful song preformed by the group Foltin from Bitola (Republic of Macedonia) and the macedonian actor Senko Velinov! Enjoy everyone! I think you will be surprised! :-)

A Day in Macedonia (part 2)

This is the second promotional video about Republic of Macedonia, created few years ago! I hope you will enjoy watching them, and present them to your friends as well, like the previous one! ;-)

A Day in Macedonia (part 1)

This is one od the two promotional videos about Republic of Macedonia, created few years ago! I hope you will enjoy watching them, and present them to your friends as well!

Goce Nikolovski - Moja serenada

The most beautiful Macedonian serenades - Moja serenada, one of Goce Nikolovski's biggest hits.

Goce Nikolovski (macedonian: Гоце Николовски) was born 1947 -  died on 16 December 2006, was a famous Macedonian singer, known by his biggest hit "Biser Balkanski" .

Nikolovski popularity peaked in 1990, when his song "Biser Balkanski" won 1st prize at the Folk Fest Valandovo 1990 Song Festival, an annual competition in which singers from the former Yugoslavia.

The song became an instant hit and remained a classic in the Republic of Macedonia, even becoming somewhat of an anthem to a nation just starting off after its break up from Yugoslavia. Nikolovski was also given the nickname "Biser Balkanski" following the song.

Throughout the 1990's, Nikolovski went on to release several other hits, but none would measure up to the success that he found with "Biser Balkanski". In 1992, Nikolovski took part in the Canberra '92 Festival, a concert similar to the annual Valandovo song festival, with the song "Od Majka Nema Pomila".

Nikolovski's popularity declined as time progressed, and by the turn of the century, has virtually disappeared from the public eye.On december 16th 2006, he commited suicide in his house in Skopje.

Vote now!!! Macedonian candidates for the new seven wonders od the World

There are only 11 hours left to vote, and support the Macedonian candidates to enter in the group of 77 wonders of nature, who will be fighting for the title New7Wonders of Nature. Vote now for Lake Ohrid in the category "lakes, rivers,waterfalls" and for Vrelo Cave in the category "caves, rock formations and valleys".

Ohrid City of Light - Macedonia Timeless

Commercial advertisment for international promotion of Macedonian tourism. Ohrid town and the Ohrid Lake are protected by UNESCO and they are just few of the many pearls in Republic of Macedonia.

The Lake that is more than 3 million years old and town with thousands of years of history! Visit Macedonia and get to know her beauties!