Event Details - The High Stakes of Macedonia's Colorful Revolution

Several years ago, the government of the Republic of Macedonia, led by the conservative party VMRO–DPMNE, embarked on the “beautification”  of the capital city, Skopje. The project consisted of  hastily erected monuments to various “historical” figures and new, quasi-classical facades applied over old buildings. In addition to its divisive, nationalist agenda, the project was also hugely expensive. Growing evidence suggests the project was a lucrative money-laundering scheme for leading figures within the party. 

In 2016, these monument and buildings came under attack as various groups of citizens rose together in street protests against the widespread perception of the government’s corruption and disregard for the rule of law. Using paint as ammunition, protesters defaced these new buildings and monuments as an expression of public revolt. For the government and supporters, the protesters are hooligans who should be prosecuted. For the opponents, they are activists and heroes of a grass-roots movement, which has become known as “The Colorful Revolution.”

This exhibition tells the protesters’ story through the work of three photographers documenting the movement, accompanied by protest posters, photo-collages, and a video montage of  public actions.

For a full description of the exhibition and panel discussion please visit: msubillings.edu/gallery.