Macedonia Flag Ceremony Divides Public Opinion

The practice, which according to state authorities is aimed at boosting the national morale, began on Sunday in front of the parliament building. The army's honor guard unit and the military orchestra will hold the ceremony every two weeks.

The same ceremony will be performed in front of the government building and the presidential office.

Defense Minister Zoran Konjanovski, who attended Sunday's event, expressed hope that the flag ceremonies would establish a tradition that would last for centuries.

“Those who are the most deserving, the pillar of our state, the Army's honour guard and the military orchestra today in a dignified manner paid respects to the Macedonian flag, which should be a factor of unity in Macedonia and show us the way towards the future,” Konjanovski said.

However, public opinion is divided over the new practice. Among those who followed the procession on Sunday despite the rainy weather, support was obvious.

On the other hand, some fear the cost of the ceremonies is a waste of money, and others have been unsupportive of a practice that has not been used in recent times in Macedonia.

Macedonia last year began a campaign, totaling some €360,000, to erect 30-metre-tall masts across the country. The flags waving from the poles are ten metres long and five metres tall.

Estimates show that some €60,000 will be spent on replacing old flags with new ones.