Proposed "Mother Macedonia" monument in Novi Sad draws protests from Greece and Bulgaria
Proposal for a two‑metre bronze statue in Novi Sad prompted objections in Greece and Bulgaria; city bodies have requested expert opinions.
A proposed bronze monument titled "Mother Macedonia" for placement in Novi Sad has stirred objections from political actors in Greece and Bulgaria, after the initiative was submitted in Serbia to mark the 80th anniversary of Macedonian settlement in Vojvodina.
The plan calls for a roughly two‑metre bronze statue depicting a woman in traditional Macedonian dress with two children — one turned toward Serbia and the other toward North Macedonia. The sculptor credited for the project is Siniša Noveski. The proposal was filed by the National Council of the Macedonian National Minority in Serbia.
Local procedure and pending reviews
The Council for Culture and Information of the Assembly of Novi Sad asked for additional opinions from the public enterprise "Urbanizam" and the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments as part of the vetting process, leaving the matter under municipal review.
The Civic Party of the Greeks in Serbia responded sharply, asking Novi Sad authorities to reject the initiative. The party said the monument would be "a deep disrespect toward the Greek people and state," and identified the name "Mother Macedonia" as particularly contentious. Party representatives described the proposal as historical and geographic revisionism and an appropriation of a name they link to Greek historical heritage.
Voices from Bulgaria framed the initiative differently but also critically: commentators there interpreted the statue as part of a broader pattern of Serbian influence on the Balkans. Bulgarian critics pointed to the traditional costume on the sculpture as tied to the folkloric heritage of the historical‑geographic region of Macedonia, and thus judged the monument a provocation to Bulgarian historical memory.
Bulgarian assessments also focused on the symbolism of the two children — one facing Serbia and the other North Macedonia — reading it as a message about Serbian influence in North Macedonia and as part of a narrative some describe as the "Serbian world." For now, Novi Sad institutions are collecting expert opinions before any decision is taken.
Photo: press material from the event
