Skopje with eyes wide open
There exists a fairly well–known Skopje. Skopje the capital of Macedonia. Skopje on postcards, in monographs and guidebooks. Vast plans, identifiable objects, typical landmarks. Scenic views from above the Kale Fortress or Mount Vodno, the 13th November Quay or the Macedonia Street, the Old Bazaar, the Old Train Station… Yet, in contrast to the known city, there always exists that other city, invisible to the superficial visitor or resident. This is the Skopje that appears as a kind of a twin to the first Skopje. The Skopje that needs to be discovered, to be searched for.
This photo–essay is an attempt to capture the places of transformation, the points where the city becomes a space covered with written personal messages. This personal Skopje is not found in any of the officially dedicated monographs of the city, or in the guidebooks advertising its landmarks. This is Skopje built entirely out of moments, showing through the people living in it, people who portray the city with their very own facial expressions. These photographs offer human dramas which set against the specific urban landscape complement and enrich the city. Furthermore, these photographs show that the city is primarily a personal story, that there are as many versions of the city as there are walkers, residents and tourists, as many stories as there are people ready to see and do something more.