The Kutlesh Sun goes down in history

The symbol of Kutlesh goes down in history. Six months after the formalization of the name issue in Mala Prespa, Macedonia will have to start implementing a provision under which it will not use the former flag symbol in public spaces by public and state-owned institutions. The monuments in downtown Skopje will not be demolished, but signs will be placed next to them saying they are part of the Hellenic ancient period and are part of the World Heritage Site. The provision does not apply to private individuals, that is, citizens will not be punished if they wear a T-shirt or flag with the sixteen-rayed sun.
This is Article 8, paragraph 3, by which the second party, that is Macedonia, will not reuse in any way and in any form the symbol formerly displayed on its former state flag.
“Within six months of the entry into force of this Agreement, the Second Party shall proceed to remove the emblem emblazoned on its former state flag from all public places and from public use on its territory. Archaeological artefacts do not fall within the scope of this provision,” reads the article.
The government says the Prespa Agreement creates obligations for states and public institutions on both sides. They are responsible for its implementation.
“The agreement does not create obligations for private individuals and private entities, but the state and public institutions encourage and encourage private individuals and private entities to respect and apply the agreement consistently in practice,” the government told Nezavisen Vesnik/Independent daily newspaper.
The government in Skopje will need to examine the status of monuments, public buildings and infrastructures on the territory. Should they in any way relate to the ancient history of Greece and to the civilization that forms an integral part of Greece’s historical or cultural heritage, it will need to take appropriate corrective measures to effectively resolve the issue and ensure respect for the heritage. According to the announcements, the monument “Warrior on a Horse” will be renamed Alexander the Great and it will be explained within the monument in question, namely that Alexander the Great, as part of the Hellenic ancient period is a world cultural heritage. The monument to Philip of Macedon and Olympia will not be demolished either.
In early July, the government requested that competent authorities submit information on monuments, public and other infrastructures whose names are part of ancient Hellenic culture and civilization, which are responsible for setting up and maintaining copyright holders, if it is a work of art.
On February 13, or just one day after the name agreement entered into force, some institutions have already started implementing the provisions. The PE “Water and Sanitation” first started implementing and removing the carpet with symbols from the director’s office, and later some pictures with the same theme.
Several municipalities in the country will have to change their coat of arms because they have the sun of Kutlesh in their current ones.

Goran Adamovski
Photo: Boris Grdanoski