Passionately Promoting History, Culture, and Art in Ohrid

For the team at Kajak.mk, November is a month to meet new people and enrich our network with local heroes who make small contributions of great significance to the development of tourism.

Today, we will introduce you to Evgenija. The young woman who organized a very interesting event this summer, promoting the life and work of Nikola Isaja Chudov, a teacher, revolutionary, and reformer. A person who did much for the city of Ohrid.

We had a coffee with Evgenija, and she shared more about herself, the culture in the city of Ohrid, and the event that took place in August. Evgenija describes herself as a determined dreamer who knows how to find the way to the end, if she strongly believes in what she desires. By profession, she is a psychologist and is currently working as a human resources manager, a path that fulfills her personal growth.

Kajak.mk: Hello, Evgenija. Tell us something about yourself. How do people know you?
Evgenija: Hello, Kajak.mk. Thank you for reaching out to me. I am Evgenija, originally from Vranishta, where I grew up, and an unavoidable part of my daily life was those 20 kilometers between Vranishta and Ohrid, which still are, whenever I stay there. I believe people know me as a brave and approachable person who always tries to inspire and help whenever there’s an opportunity. At least, that’s what I think. You should ask them.

Kajak.mk: How do you find yourself in Ohrid, and what is it that fulfills you in the city?
Evgenija: I find myself in every stone of the cobblestone streets, in every echo of the Ancient and Lower Saraj, in every wave that crashes against the rock at Kaneo, in the bells ringing on Sundays, the wind flowing through the houses, and the water flowing down through the old town with every rain. Ohrid is, for me, the place I always return to with even greater joy than before, a place that never feels enough, stirring a mix of emotions in me—peace and unrest, love, awe, pride. Every tiny part of it fulfills me because of the symbolism it carries.

Kajak.mk: How do you think the culture of the city has developed over the past years? Do you think more value is being given to the important and significant things in the city?
Evgenija: There’s always room for improvement. Fortunately, Ohrid is still a guardian of culture, and a proof of that is the well-known festival "Ohrid Summer," which celebrated its 61st anniversary this year. On the other hand, over the years, I’ve noticed a decline and loss of spirit in many important things. Especially the youth in the city seemed disconnected from culturally significant events, so from that perspective, I believe the cultural initiative "5do12" deserves a big "bravo." For its founders, last year was a real challenge in bringing back the desire for action and creative expression among the youth in various ways. In any case, the credibility of the important events and accolades of the city cannot be taken away, but the more we work towards highlighting what is ours, the more we will be seen.

Kajak.mk: Can you tell us something about the event you organized this summer? What significance does it have? What does it represent? What does it commemorate and what story does it tell?
Evgenija: Ohrid, among other things, is a city of many plane trees and kočedžici (a type of tree), and the origin of this event comes from planting one of them, the one in the yard of the Church of the Holy Mother of Perivlepta, also known as the old St. Clement. The event, titled "Unveiling of the restored plaque in honor of the kočedžik tree, planted on the occasion of the 1000th anniversary of the passing of St. Methodius and honoring the life and work of Nikola I. Chudov," aims to show that it has more than one meaning, in order to connect all the threads and weave the truth into a beautiful story that will be heard, understood, and passed on through generations.

This event is of invaluable significance to us as descendants and to the history of the city of Ohrid, as it sheds light on the life and work of Nikola Isaja Chudov, who, as a teacher, revolutionary, and reformer, did much for his Ohrid and for the Macedonian people. Unfortunately, despite the detailed literature written about him and his essential actions, Chudov is not a widely known figure among the people. One of the goals of this event was to highlight his importance. For that reason, part of my speech, through which I conveyed the information, was filled with numerous details about his life and work. His later-discovered notebook with literary works and notable events related to the Macedonian struggle revealed, among other things, the truth about the kočedžik tree, which he planted together with members of the “St. Clement” society, and for which he wrote the following commemorative poem.

Kajak.mk: What are the important moments that you think must be presented to foreign tourists?
Evgenija: The Church of the Holy Mother of Perivlepta is an unavoidable place to visit, both for group tours and for individuals eager to admire the beauty of Ohrid. It is well known that the history surrounding this temple carries centuries of tradition that piques the curiosity of everyone, and it also offers a beautiful view of part of the city and the fortress. In fact, while I was making the final preparations with my parents to ensure everything was ready for the big event, we were the target of curious gazes from passersby around the church.

Many of them were quite interested, while others shyly glanced without any intention to interrupt. After spending some time explaining, I could see that none of them missed the moment of deep admiration for what we are doing, why we are doing it, and what truth we are bringing to the surface. Therefore, what I believe must be presented to foreign (and certainly also our own) tourists is the raw truth behind every event in the city.