Skopje, 6 April 2026 (MIA) - The State Archive is not only the past, it is the foundation. A foundation on which we are building the present and upon which we project our future. Its depots, its manuscripts, its documents are a testimony of our struggle, our victories, our declines and our returns. It keeps the brightest pages of our history but also the lessons that made us stronger, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told a formal academy on the observance of the State Archive's 75th anniversary on Monday.

"Today, we are celebrating 75 years from the establishment of the State Archive. Seven-and-a-half decades of collecting, preserving and telling the story of Macedonia," said PM Mickoski.

He added that to be a nation without an archive is to be a nation without memory and no future.

"That is why it is much more than an institution, it is the guardian of the truth, it is a testament of time, it is a bridge between generations. Over the past 75 years, the State Archive has managed to collect and protect a vast cultural and historic treasure. Millions of documents, photos, testimonies, each part of the mosaic of our national story," said Mickoski.

The PM noted that in a time of digital transformation, archives must move forward and become more accessible and open to the public, scientists, and young people.

"Our country has gone through many challenges. There were times when traces were lost, truth was distorted, identity was questioned. That is why the archive is our strongest defense, because it does not speak with emotion but facts. Today, when we are building a modern European Macedonia, we must not forget that every step forward must be supported by the knowledge of who we are and where we come from," said Mickoski.

State Archive Director Dimitar Bogeski said the institution is the guardian of the Macedonian roots, the cornerstone of statehood and the pillar of the Macedonian being.

"Every document, every manuscript, every photograph shows what shapes us as a nation. The Archive is the bridge between the past and the future, the place where roots are not only kept but also passed on as a force and inspiration for new generations. The State Archive is more than an institution, it is the lighthouse of our future," said Bogeski.

He added that the State Archive is the pillar supporting the nation's historic awareness, culture, maturity and state continuity.

"It is the foundation that maintains the ties among generations, a bridge between what we were and what we want to become. It builds all our stories, our struggles, our successes. The Archive is proof that the past is not forgotten but is alive and here along every step taken towards the future," said Bogeski.

He also referred to the new monograph issued on the jubilee, including key moments in history, as well as testimonies that reflect the culture, the architecture and the daily life across centuries.

"This work is more than a collection of documents. It is a journey through time, taking us to the roots but also reminding us of the responsibility for the future. The monograph shows the power of the archive treasure and solidifies the Archive's role as a guardian of the national memory. It sends a message that history is not only a monument but a living legacy that takes us forward," said Bogeski.

An exhibit is also displayed on the occasion of the Archive's anniversary, "a window to the past and an opportunity for citizens to see what has been kept in the depots for decades."

"The exhibit displays important documents related to the country's culture and history, as well as the history of the institution itself. Documents take us back in time, allowing us to feel the roots of our statehood and culture," said Bogeski.

In addition, a postal stamp was promoted, "set to travel across the globe and promote our history, culture and statehood".

Photo: MIA