REDEFINING NATIONAL IDENTITY IN MACEDONIAAnalyzing Competing Origin Myths and Interpretations through Hegemonic Representations
' is paper analyzes symbolism pertaining to and popular receptions of the project Skopje 214, an architectural journey in the capital of the Republic of Macedonia. While a) empting to understand the multifaceted symbolic meanings and perceptions associated with this project, we pay a) ention to the existence of previous narratives of Macedonian national identity prior to the announcement of Skopje 2014 and therefore position the project against that backdrop. We want to argue that Skopje 2014 represents a monumental and spectacular turning point in o+ cial narratives of Macedonian national identity. ' e gap between the previously dominant narrative of Macedonian national identity, and the new o+ cial discourse o* ered and realized in and through Skopje 2014, and the multicultural reality of the country are the central themes of this work.