Skopje (Macedonia)

The Macedonian capital has been twinned with Dresden since 1967. After several years of political and economic isolation as a result of the war in former Yugoslavia, the relationship between the two cultural centres has now been revived. The people of Skopje were able to enjoy the exhibition »Dresden Graphic Art« at the beginning of 1996; musicians and artists have established contacts, exchanges in various fields are being planned.

• Inhabitants:
  640,000
• Geographical location:
  Northern Macedonia on the River Vardar, capital of the now independent Republic (since 1991)
• Profile:
  Venerable cultural centre, with a modern face since the earthquake of 1963, melting pot of Christian and Islamic Culture, seat of an Orthodox metropolitan and a Catholic bishop, university, research institutes (e.g. seismology), economic centre of the country with iron and steel works, chemicals, electrical engineering and pharmaceuticals, a »promised land« for archeologists
• Tips:
  Cultural festival »Skopje Summer« (June to August), World Caricature Gallery, art gallery in the Turkish baths »Daut Pashin amam«