Macedonian Encyclopedia

The Macedonian Encyclopedia is a scientific encyclopedia of North Macedonia. It was published in 2009 by the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts and edited by the Lexicographical Center,^[1] where 260 associates were involved in its preparation under the guidance of chief editor Blaže Ristovski. The encyclopedia contains 9,000 entries representing the Macedonian point of view.^[2]

Macedonian Encyclopedia

Language	Macedonian
Genre	Encyclopedia
Publisher	Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Publication date	September 2009
Publication place	North Macedonia

Publication and withdrawal

With the financial support of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, 2,000 copies were printed however, only 300 copies were sold or given away. The remaining 1,700 copies were withdrawn from the market. Still, it can be downloaded for free.^[3] The issuance of the encyclopedia caused a storm of protest due to its content, and its authors have been subjected to severe criticism. Such reactions arose in the neighbouring EU members Greece and Bulgaria, as well as in Kosovo and Albania^[4] and even the American Embassy in Skopje protested.^[5] Some Macedonian academics also criticized the encyclopedia as "hastily prepared and politically motivated".^[6] The reason behind the withdrawal was political pressure from US and UK diplomats.^[4] Blaže Ristovski, the chief editor of the encyclopedia, faced calls to resign and finally got removed from the post.^[7]

The Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts^[8] had planned for an expanded edition covering areas not addressed in the two-volume set, which would then be translated into English.

See also

• Historiography in North Macedonia
• Encyclopedia of Yugoslavia

References

1. "The Lexicographic Centre at the Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts". Elex.is. Archived from the original on 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2022-01-08.
2. "Предговор". Македонска Енциклопедија (in Macedonian). Retrieved 2023-07-04.
3. promacedonia.com Archived 2021-04-20 at the Wayback Machine, Македонска Енциклопедија, две податотеки во pdf формат, со големина од 31.9 и 37.5 Mb.
4. Macedonia embroiled in encyclopaedia row. Oct 13, 2009, Euractiv. Archived April 20, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
5. "The Encyclopedia of Skopje provokes anger from Albanians". To Vima (in Greek). 2009-09-23. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
6. Vasovic, Aleksandar (2009-09-24). "Macedonian encyclopedia sparks Balkan ethnic row". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
7. Marusic, Sinisa Jakov (8 October 2009). "Macedonia Encyclopaedia Editor Sacked". Balkan Insight.
8. "Macedonian Encyclopedia Sparks Balkan Ethnic Row". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2020-09-10.