Macedonia Readies for Alexander the Great Statue

The statue, commissioned by the government of Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski to represent the country's heritage, is part of a bitter dispute between Macedonia and Greece.

The mayor of Skopje’s Centar Municipality, Vladimir Todorovic, confirmed that the casting of the 12-meter-tall bronze statue in Italy “is almost over” and that as soon as it is finished it will be transported to Macedonia.

“We expect this could happen during this summer,” Todorovic said.

The announcement comes just one month before the June 5 early general elections.

Construction work is also being wrapped up on the fountain in Skopje’s central Macedonia square, which will serve as the base for the statue of Alexander mounted on a horse.

Workers are installing the marble parts of the fountain and they are expected to begin mounting the bronze elements soon, including statues of lions and soldiers.

Together with the stand, the Alexander the Great statue will dominate the square at over 20 metres high.

The controversy over Alexander the Great is part of a wider dispute between neighbouring Macedonia and Greece. Athens refuses to let its smaller neighbor use the name Republic of Macedonia, insisting it is part of its own heritage.

Greece insists that the use of the name implies Skopje’s territorial claims over its own northern province, which is also called Macedonia, and has blocked Macedonia's bids to enter NATO and the EU over the name dispute.

The erection of the Alexander statue is part of a wider government funded project for the revamp of the Macedonian capital, dubbed “Skopje 2014”. As part of the project, more than ten buildings are being built in the downtown area, taking inspiration from classical architectural styles.

Over 20 statues, a triumphant arch and an obelisk are also part of the overhaul effort, the majority of which have either been erected or are in the final stages of their construction.

The government soon plans to cut the red ribbon on the Museum of Macedonian Struggle and Victims of Communism, situated close to the central square. This will be the first opening of a building that is part of the revamp project.

The project has been strongly criticized by some local experts and the country’s political opposition for lacking taste and because it is too expensive, and Socialist opposition officials have accused the government of wasting money much needed in other sectors.

The Association of Macedonia Architects has not joined in the revamp effort, saying that it will bring additional chaos to the architectural image of the capital.