Skopje, 26 July 2024 (MIA) – Skopje marks Friday the 61st anniversary of the 1963 deadly earthquake, which killed 1,070 people and 3,000 were injured.

The Museum of the City of Skopje hosts an exhibit, “The cultural institutions in Skopje after the 1963 earthquake.” It opens at 8:30 pm.

The Cinematheque of Macedonia this evening will screen short Macedonian films dedicated to the Skopje earthquake, which include “The schools and the university in the Skopje disaster”, “A letter from Skopje”, “Forgiveness”, “Skopje”, and “Disaster, suffering and hopes”.

Also, the 1988 experimental documentary by Polish director and actor Malgorzata Potocka “A screen for Skopje” will show at the Museum of Contemporary Art at 9 pm.

The deadly earthquake hit Skopje at 5:17 am levelling 15,800 residences and damaging 28,000. Over 200,000 people were left without a roof over their heads. 

Following the tragedy, the International Red Cross called on all national organizations to organize a food supply campaign and the Interparliamentary Union urged all parliaments and governments to help the reconstruction of Skopje. 

On October 14, 1963, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on providing assistance to the Yugoslav government for the reconstruction of Skopje. Representatives of over 20 countries from all over the world delivered addresses before the General Assembly. That day in the UN is remembered as the Skopje Day. 

MIA file photo