THE FIRST MONUMENT OF ALEXANDER III OF MACEDON (THE GREAT) IN PRILEP,
MACEDONIA (6)
PART OF THE BOOK “SELECTED PAPERS FOR MACEDONIA”
BY SLAVÉ KATIN
Businessman George Atanasoski has always been enchanted by what he heard, read and experienced about Ancient Macedonia; especially about Philip II and Alexander of Macedon. And even his native Marul and Prilep, located in Pelagonia, which was an important part of Ancient Mace donia, has inspired his love for the ancient roots of Macedonia. Thus, on one occasion, he has said:
“I have always followed and I’m going to follow the idea of the most distinctive and unique Macedo- nian of all times - Alexander of Macedon, who didn’t occupy but united nations. As a result, that star-lode- star guided me towards the spiritual serenity of res- urrection and the century-old existence of Macedoni- aness. The name Macedonia has echoed throughout the world with dignity. The latest evidence is the rec- ognition of Macedonia under its constitutional name by the United States of America. Slowly but surely my dream and vision for the future of my homeland is being realized. I know that the road is difficult, but I believe that truth will conquer injustice – that the dream of the Macedonians will come true – to see the day when Aegean, Pirin, Vardar, Golo Brdo, Gora and Mala Prespa will be united in their Macedonia, in Alexander’s Macedonia. That is the reason why I am going to cooperate with all good-hearted and hon- est people who love their homeland, their Macedo- nia, and fight for the Macedonian cause. We pledge to all Macedonians in the country and beyond that in the days of the following years we shall unswervingly walk on the road we have already paved – whatever it takes for the benefit of Macedonia and the Macedo- nian people. Let Macedonia be eternal and forever!”
The businessman George Atanasoski con- firmed his strong love and respect for ancient Macedonia and the ancient roots on June 30 in Pr- ilep, in 2006, when he marked the official setting up of the monument dedicated to Alexander III of Macedon. He funded the modeling of the bust, created by Zharko Basheski, with the aim of pay- ing due respect to the greatest Macedonian who spread the glory of his country all over the world. Until then, the Republic of Macedonia was one of the few countries where there wasn’t any symbol of Alexander. Therefore, this monumental work has just become a hallmark for the Macedonian people who once were led by the great Alexan- der for the purpose of uniting nations. Thanks to George Atanasoski, the Republic of Macedonia has got the symbol of its national identity to remind us of the unforgettable Macedonian cause.
In this way Prilep, a city of heroes, the city un- der Marko's Towers, in 2006 has become the only city in the Republic of Macedonia whose square boosts of the grandiose monument to the Macedo- nian conqueror and military commander, Alexan- der of Macedon. Like the great leader Alexander who once united nations, so now George Atana- soski has achieved his unifying mission by putting up this monument. Therefore, on the occasion of unveiling the monument, it was rightly said that Macedonians of the Balkans and Macedonians all over the world have got something to be proud of and something to celebrate the achievements of their great army commander, Alexander of Mac- edon, because they are his direct descendants.
At the ceremony of unveiling the monument to Alexander III of Macedon, the businessman George Atanasoski, among other things, said: “As a citizen of Prilep I would like to welcome all citizens of Prilep, all Macedonians from the U.S., all Macedonians from Australia, from Mala Prespa, Albania, Pirin and from Odrin, Aegean Macedonia. We are here today to get together and stand united under the flag of Alexan- der of Macedon who is going “to be born” in other cities of Macedonia and other parts of ethnic Mac- edonia, not only here. Alexander was not only a king of the Macedonians, but he was a king of the vision of the world. Alexander of Macedon was a visionary; he was a conqueror, the greatest unifier of nations, with whom leaders are compared even today. That is the reason why I’ve engaged myself to build this monu- ment to Alexander of Macedon and to donate it to my city of Prilep, but not only to the citizens of Prilep, but also to all Macedonians in Macedonia and abroad, all over the world. Let the road for a more beautiful Macedonia start from here.”
The honor to unveil the monument was given to the Macedonian benefactor – the businessman George Atanasoski and Mr. Marjan Risteski, Mayor of Prilep. Mr. Nikola Gruevski, Prime Minister of the Government of Macedonia, was also present at the official ceremony together with his associ- ates, as well as many other prominent figures of the socio-political, scientific and cultural life of Macedonia.
At this great event for Prilep and Macedonia, Mayor of Prilep, Mr. Risteski presented plaques to benefactor George Atanasoski and sculptor Zharko Basheski, as well as to the world famous opera singer, baritone Boris Trajanov, and ethno music group “Synthesis” for their participation in the cul- tural program. On the occassion of unveiling the monument, Mayor Marjan Risteski, among other things, underlined:
“From this moment onwards the city under Marko's Towers is also the city of Alexander of Mace- don. In recent years many articles have been written, many movies have been shot, many discourses have been given about this historical figure, great man and military commander, but only benefactor George Atanasoski and the city of Prilep have done some- thing that will be memorable – a grandiose monu- ment to Alexander of Macedon.
The ancient Latins said that the name is a sign, I don’t know why and I don’t know when, but it was really said that the name is actually a sign for iden- tification; it is a root and a trunk of one people. The name “Alexander of Macedon” is our identification. Today, I’m not speaking neither in my own behalf nor as a mayor, but as a Macedonian who has the honor to welcome you on this great day for our city. I’m not going to speak about the importance of Alexander of Macedon from historical perspective, because each of you have learned and know enough about him. This monument is of especially great significance in context of culture, tradition and tourism. The most outstanding figure of our history has finally earned his place in one of the most beautiful squares in Macedo- nia. The monument is higher than six metres, and the spear, which is 5.30 metres long, is made of bronze. The shield has a diameter of about one metre, and its relief is decorated with scenes from the Iliad.
I am highly delighted that this monument is a donation from our fellow citizen, George Atanasoski, the man who has demonstrated how we should love our native city, how we should invest in it, how we should recover the local economy, and what it means to be a patron of culture. It would have been difficult to realize this project without his generous support. Each gram of bronze, each piece of stone, and each tile of marble are going to be a part of the Prilep cul- tural attraction from today onwards
The future Macedonian cultural ambassadors - artists will emerge from this scene and our city is go- ing to be proud of them. Because he was fascinated by the idea and the realization of this project, bari- tone Mr. Boris Trajanov, the world renowned opera singer, has accepted my invitation with great pleas- ure. And here, among us, are our old acquaintances of the musical group 'Synthesis'. Special appreciation to them all and to the man who has magic hands and who has cast and molded the monument, Mr. Zharko Basheski, as well as to all companies and workers who were actively involved in this project.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, if the city of Alexandria, which was founded by this man, had a huge library in the past which was burnt down later, then Prilep now, at this very place, is going to have an outdoor library where every visitor can get acquaint- ed with the history of our city and the Prilep authors. We are going to honor this promise given on the great national holiday Ilinden and we are going to have the most beautiful park and square in Macedonia.
I would like to extend my regards to you, reit- erating one great idea of this giant, standing here before you, said long ago, 'I didn’t conquer the world, I have united the world’,” underlined in his speach Mr. Marjan Risteski, Mayor of Prilep.
To be continued
By Slave Nikolovski-Katin
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