An Overview of the Macedonian State Decorations

Abstract

Decorations are a symbol of a country. Orders and medals, historically, are tied to chivalric orders and high feudal lords or the church which, however, were considered a form of state power. Although the original forms of decorations in Macedonia originate from the revolutionary period, the first decorations used in today's Republic of Macedonia are from Yugoslavia. The first authentic decoration of Socialist Republic of Macedonia is the Ilinden memorial badge from 1953 as a Republic`s decoration. After the independence of the Yugoslav Republics, Croatia and Slovenia had their first decorations in 1992, while the Republic of Macedonia only 13 years later, although the first law on decorations was passed in 1995. The path to the realization of these state symbols was arduous. The law of 2002 laid the foundations of the Macedonian award system, which actually started with the defining the design and materials from which the orders and medals are made in 2005. The system has 6 orders: Order of the Republic of Macedonia; "September 8"; "Ilinden - 1903"; for merits for Macedonia; for military merits and "Saint Mother Teresa". And 5 medals: for merit for the Republic of Macedonia; for courage; of honor, "Eternal sun" and for participation in humanitarian or peace operations, outside the territory of the Republic of Macedonia; and a Charter of the Republic of Macedonia. Out of 11 orders and medals, 25% are undefined, and the system is too restrictive. The awarding of orders and medals is extremely restrictive. This article deals with the Macedonian decorations in a wider context.