The National Anthem of Macedonia

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The Macedonian National Anthem is entitled "Denes Nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia). The anthem of Macedonia (referring to the former Yugoslavian republic, and not the neighbouring Greek province of the same name) was created in 1943 by Vlado Maleski, a poet from Struga. The music was composed by Todor Skalovski, a famous Macedonian composer, chorus and orchestra conductor. It was adopted as the anthem of the Republic of Macedonia upon its establishment after World War II for a few months, and continued to be the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while in Yugoslavia. The song was later selected to be the anthem of the newly independent Republic of Macedonia in 1991.

Todor Skalovski (born 21 January 1909, Tetovo, Ottoman Empire – died 1 July 2004, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia) was a famous Macedonian composer, chorus and orchestra conductor.

He was the founder of the First Macedonian State Symphony Orchestra, (1945. - 1948) and was editor in chief of Radio Skopje and chief conductor Radioorkestra (1948 - 1954). He directed and conducted the Skopje Opera, since 1954 and later became the director and conductor of the Philharmonic Republic of Macedonia. His compositions were mostly vocal works. Other works include October Cantata II, Suite Baltepe, Macedonian Oro, 2 rhapsodies, Zalez, The size ANIJA (on John Kukuzela), Prispivna song. He is best known as the composer of the Macedonian anthem "Denes Nad Makedonija".

The envelope above is a Special Cancel of the First Performance of the National Anthem (2001), 10 years after Macedonia became a newly independent republic in 1991.

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