The city that in the darkest epoch has incorporated Macedonia’s character

Object: 50 years since Prilep’s proclamation of hero

The world on May 9 marks 80 years since the victory over fascism, 80 years since the triumph of freedom of humanity over the darkness of fascism. This jubilee is a good occasion for reminding the past, paid for with huge human casualties and material losses, unknown in the history of the former wars, says Prilep historian Rubinco Belcheski.
Prilep made a significant contribution to the fight against fascism and therefore on May 7, 1975, then President of the SFRY Josip Broz Tito, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the victory over fascism, honored the city with the highest recognition and awarded the Order of « People’s Hero ». Now that the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism is marked, 50 years of that important Prilep event are also marked.
On April 7, 1941, the German army first entered Skopje and all of Macedonia was seized in a few days. Prilep would not be a city hero if he was not the first in his activities in the fight against fascism. Even more unwilling Germans in Prilep, the CPY Local Committee, headed by Secretary Vera Aceva, holds a meeting on April 7, at the Marko Risteski -Stariot’s house (Fighter of Ordan Mihajloski -Oska). The meeting, besides Secretary Vera Aceva, is also attended by: Borka Taleski, Trajko Tarzan, Stevan Roskopo, Blagoja Ristic -Balle, Joska Jordanoski -Sandanski and Marko Risteski -Stari, and discussed the new situation in Macedonia and Prilep. More committees were formed, including weapons and military equipment, and a conclusion was made to release prisoners from Prilep prison. The next day, on April 8, Prilep was occupied by the 73rd German Infantry Division of 40. Corps of the 12th Army, led by Captain Troler. The next day, at the house of Borko Petreski – Simon was held party counseling for a better organization of the party for the days and years to come. In the period from 19 to 26 April 1941, the Bulgarian army and police are coming to Prilep, introducing the police and civilian administration of the city…. The establishment of the occupation system in Macedonia mobilizes the party organization in the implementation of the CPY anti -fascist platform, which is particularly evident from field activities.

– Weapons and ammunition are collected, directives for seizure of court archives and technique are issued, for release of prisoners and more. These activities and resistance marked the beginning of preparations for an armed uprising and the commencement of the fight against fascism in Macedonia. The Macedonian people accepted the CPY call for joining the progressive anti -fascist forces. With the attack on the Prilep partisan detachment of the Bulgarian Police Person and other facilities in Prilep, on October 11, 1941, a new page in the history of the Macedonian people was opened. Therefore, October 11, 1941, is a logical continuation of the revolutionary struggle of Macedonia in the past decades and centuries. After this date, the Partisan Ovrigations (Skopje, Prilep, Kumanovo and others) raised their actions to a higher degree, which were the heralds of a massive armed uprising with anti -fascist and liberating character – says Rubinco Belcheski.
He adds that what is particularly important for that period is that the high political awareness of the fighters and the population to achieve the ultimate goal – the creation of a national state.
– With the decisions of the Second AVNOJ Session from November 29 to 30, 1943, all Yugoslav peoples were guaranteed equality and the right to self -determination. It is of particular importance to the Macedonian people, which for the first time in their history has received equality with other Yugoslav peoples, as a result of its participation in the anti -fascist war. The decisions and decisions made by ASNOM, headed by the President of the Presidium, Metodija Andonov -Chento at his first session, by their character, had constitutional significance. They are adopted on the basis of the sovereign will of the Macedonian people and their right to self -determination, and in accordance with the decisions of AVNOJ. ASNOM’s decisions serve as the basis for further construction of Macedonian statehood and organizational strengthening of the highest state authorities in federal Macedonia – explains the historian.
The Macedonian people received national and social freedom, paid for with many human casualties and with huge material damage. The results of the anti -fascist war oblige all generations to know how to appreciate and defend the dearly paid freedom.

– What makes us proud of us Prilep is the first insurgent shot, which happened here in Prilep, on October 11, 1941, which was not only a symbolic act, but an authentic testimony to the determination of the Macedonian people, led by Prilep, to endure the Balkan wind. Today, when we remind ourselves and mark the 80th anniversary of the victory over fascism, to speak for another jubilee, on another great date of Prilep’s rich history, 50 years Prilep-a city hero. With the awarding of the Order and Charter of the City – National Hero, Prilep is in line with eight cities from the former Yugoslavia. Why does Prilep get this high recognition? In World War II, from Prilep and Prilep there were 8,000 participants, of which 2,700 active weapons fighters in hand. Of the 66 folk heroes from Macedonia, 15 fighters from Prilep and Prilep were declared folk heroes, 10 of which were killed – reports historian Belcheski.
Belcheski recalls that the granting of the Order and Charter took place at a large national rally, in front of the Revolution Park, in front of the Alley of People’s Heroes, on July 3, 1975, and on the occasion of July 4, the Day of the Fighter. In the name of the President of the SFRY, Josip Broz Tito, and in the presence of many guests, he was handed over by the then President of the ECM Central Committee, Angel Chemerski, and received by the President of the Prilep Municipal Assembly, Zivko Magdeski. Unfortunately, the original Order awarded to Prilep for his heroism and the victims given in a new one in 1993, in unclear circumstances disappeared from the municipal premises.
Later, the OO of the Alliance of Fighters from the NAAFM 1941-1945 and the citizens continuing-Prilep and the NI Institute and Museum-Prilep, initiated the preparation of a replica of the Order. Thus, in 2018, two replicas of the Order were made, one for the Municipality of Prilep and the NI Institute and Museum – Prilep, ie, for the Memorial Museum « 11 October 1941 », the place where the rebel Prilep was raised in the popular uprising against the fascist occupation. In addition to the replica of the « People’s Hero » Order, a relief of the marble plate was also made and it adorned the premises of the municipal building, testifying to the heroism of Prilep and Prilep.