Macedonia mourning ‘father of the nation’

Gligorov shepherded the tiny Balkan nation through a bloodless secession from the former Yugoslavia. He died on New Year’s Day aged 94.

Gligorov, who narrowly survived an assassination attempt in 1995, was buried in his family’s grave in the capital of Skopje, at a funeral attended by 100 people.

Macedonian flags flew at half-mast, sporting events were cancelled and public radio suspended normal programing and was playing only classical music.

To many Macedonians, Gligorov came to be considered the “father of the nation”. “He was a wise and experienced politician, an iconic figure of the father of the nation. We have a respectful and dignified first president whose peaceful policy was recognised and fully respected by world leaders,” said retired lawyer Metodija Nikolovski.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described Gligorov as “patriot and true statesman”. And Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski paid tribute to his role in the country’s independence, saying: “He will be remembered as a man and politician who had serious merit and contributions to the liberation and the creation, development and international recognition of Macedonia.”