Skopje commemorates 63rd anniversary of 1963 catastrophic earthquake

On 26 July 1963 at 05:17 a.m., a magnitude 6.1 (Richter) / IX (Mercalli) earthquake struck Skopje, lasting about 20 seconds. The disaster killed 1,070 people, injured roughly 3,000, destroyed 15,800 homes and badly damaged 28,000 more, leaving over 200,000 residents homeless. International solidarity followed, with aid from 87 countries and coordination by the United Nations, which helped rebuild the city and gave it the nickname “city of solidarity.”

To mark the 63 year milestone, the city held commemorative ceremonies: a wreath was placed before the Monument to the Victims, two exhibitions – “63 years – Skopje ‘63” and “Archive of Sorrow: Skopje 1963” – opened in the City Museum, and a concert titled “Skopje my joy” featured Dragan Mijalkovski. Mayor Orce Gjorgievski addressed the crowd, saying, “We will never forget the victims; their pain is built into the foundations of our city, and it is our duty to keep remembering while continuing to build a modern, safe and dignified Skopje.” The events highlighted both remembrance of the tragedy and the city’s ongoing renewal.