Skopje: embarrassing modernism

'As a provincial city at the edge of Ottoman Empire, the destiny of Skopje at the beginning of the XX century was everything except modern. Lost in the centuries of different occupants, the architecture in Skopje became independent in the second half of the XX century, in those very moments of glory and actuality given to Modern architecture all around the world. This lecture is all about the Modern architecture in Skopje and how it raised one town into a capital'.

The introduction to the history of Skopje, which includes important dates for all main socio-political events and natural disasters that have influence over the development of Skopje. Dr. Blazhevski would also like to mention the number of inhabitants, but also the main persons that prepared the countours about the development of Skopje. After this introductory part, he would like to speak, but only shortly, about the period of Modern architecture in the period between the First and Second World War, and then, about the Modern architecture in Skopje the period between 1944-1963. However, the largest part of my presentation will be dedicated to the post-earthquake redevelopment of Skopje.