North Macedonia

The Republic of North Macedonia is a landlocked country, encompassing an area of just under 10,000 square miles, in Southeast Europe. Skopje is the capital of this small nation of nearly 2 million people. North Macedonia is a NATO member, joining in March 2020. It has applied to join the European Union (EU).

During the 20th century, Macedonia was ruled by Bulgaria over two separate periods, during World Wars I and II. After the conclusion of World War II in 1945, it was integrated into communist Yugoslavia led by Joseph Broz Tito. Macedonia remained linked to Yugoslavia until its exit to become an independent country in 1991. Macedonia became The Republic of North Macedonia in 2019 as a result of a long-running name/identity dispute with Greece.

In addition to my stay in the capital, Skopje, I spent time at Ohrid, abutting Lake Ohrid and made an excursion to the ruins of the ancient city of Stobi.

Shoe Shine Youth
Shoe Shine YouthShoe Shine Youth, Bronze Art, City Center, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia; Likely cast by local artist Natasa Bozarovska.
Games For The World
Games For The WorldAdmiral Games For The World, downtown Luj Paster 23-19, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia
"Totally Relaxed"
"Totally Relaxed"A pretty cat takes a nap in a wicker chair, Bay of Bones, Ohrid Lake shoreline, North Macedonia - I would have gladly brought this feline home, but it seemed to like its current location and appeared unlikely to go with a stranger like me. Besides the difficulty of bringing a cat out of its native country into the USA (think quarantine), we are already hosting 4 rescue cats.
"Boat Amongst The Reeds"
"Boat Amongst The Reeds"Lake Ohrid. A special "Plastic Wrap" filter has been applied to the image which yields a somewhat unique reflection in the water and effect on the clouds, as well as the watercraft itself, Ohrid, North Macedonia
Well-worn Building In Ohrid
Well-worn Building In OhridBack alleyway near the intersection of Ilindenska & Tsar Samoil, Ohrid, North Macedonia. Note the weathered door and windows as well as the exposed framing timbers on the aged wall on the left side, as opposed to the modern wall on the right side of this stone-paved alley.
"A World-ly Couple"
"A World-ly Couple""A World-ly Couple", City Center, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia. Note the ads for Lufthansa on the billboard in the background.
"Mother Theresa - We Need You"
"Mother Theresa - We Need You"Mother Theresa statute, Memorial House "Mother Theresa“, MK, Macedonia St 1000, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia. Her real name was Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu MC; born in Albania in 1910, she was canonized as Saint Theresa of Calcutta in 2016, some 19 years after her passing on 5 September 1997.
"Thespis" in Skopje
"Thespis" in SkopjeThis entrance is located at the Theater for Children and Youth, Dimitrie Cupovski 4, Skopje 1000, North Macedonia. The bust over this theater entrance in Skopje is probably that of the Greek performer, Thespis, known as the First Actor, who performed circa 534 BC in Athens. From the theater website: "Theater for Children and Youth is the only national theater specializing in children and youth type of content. It was established by a decision of the Government on 02.02.1990, and for the first time it raised its curtains in front of the audience in Skopje on 25.03.1990. and since then has been creating fairy tales with a different, cheerful and magical spirit, as well as plays for teenagers, young people and adults."