Memory in the Halls of Power: The 1903 Ilinden Uprising and Macedonian State-Building

The article intricately explores the nexus of politics and security enveloping the notion of the Macedonian state, with a specific focus on analyzing the narrative and collective memory tied to the 1903 Ilinden Uprising. As the country marks its 120th anniversary, the state elites and socjety stand at a pivotal juncture, grappling with a pervasive wave of revisionism that extends beyond historiography, permeating public discourse and collective reflections on this seminal historical milestone for the Macedonian people. Even though Ilinden takes its place as a revered national holiday, the trajectory of Macedonian state-building unfolds as a dynamic journey shaped by the intricate interplay of both external and internal influences. The analytical framework employed is rooted in the Copenhagen school of security studies principles, enriched by the foundational tenets of political science and memory studies. This multidisciplinary approach aims to present a perspective on the significant historical event of Ilinden from a non-historian vantage point, offering profound insights into its enduring impact on Macedonian politics and statehood.