North Macedonia marks Ilinden as leaders warn against revising history
Leaders marked Ilinden at several sites; separate incidents in Strumica and an energy warning from Hungary were also reported.
Published: 02 August, 2026 21:25. North Macedonia marked Ilinden with political leaders gathering at several commemorative sites and sending messages that, they said, reaffirm the country's historic anti‑fascist commitment and warn against attempts to revise the past.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski spoke from Pelince and framed the holiday as a moment that ties different episodes of the national story together, saying the struggle for freedom is rooted in the people's spirit rather than in borders.
"In Krushevo it was shown that the people never stop dreaming, and in ASNOM it was shown that the people also know how to create," Mickoski said.
President Gordana Siljanovska‑Davkova, addressing citizens from Skopje, underlined that partisans and ASNOM delegates embedded anti‑fascism as a lasting Macedonian determination. "Freedom was not given; we freed ourselves," she said, adding that those wartime choices shaped the country's postwar identity.
Commemoration in Krushevo and political participation
Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Antonio Milososki spoke in Krushevo at Mechkin Kamen, calling the site a symbol where a small band of defenders stood against a stronger enemy. "Pitu Guli and the others knew that the forces were greater in number, they knew they would not return to see their wives, children, parents," Milososki said, noting their sacrifice was made out of love for the homeland and the families they defended.
A delegation led by SDSM leader Venko Filipche laid flowers at the monument "Sliva" as part of the day’s observances.
Apart from the Ilinden commemorations, firefighters from Strumica carried out an early‑morning rescue: a mother and a child were pulled from a ravine near the trim path leading to the St. Ilija monastery. The Territorial Fire and Rescue Unit of Strumica reported that the operation began at about 05:15, when a team of firefighter‑rescuers was dispatched to the scene.
In a separate development affecting the region, Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar urged citizens to save electricity and water, warning of an extreme heat spell and strain on the energy system. "The most critical five days are ahead of us. Tomorrow the Paks nuclear power plant will no longer produce electricity, and the hottest days with temperatures of 40 degrees are coming," he said, warning that the power system, public services and households would face heavy loads.
Photo: press material from the event
