Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska announced Tuesday the project for promotion of Kokino megalithic observatory, the fourth oldest observatory in the world according to NASA.
The project "Kokino-Macedonian Brand" includes activities for equipping and fencing the site, construction of an access path for visitors, construction of a center for seminars, workshops, exhibits, as well as a souvenir shop and restaurant.
"Kokino is significant both from an astronomic and archaeological point of view. The project aims at promoting the site, creating conditions for its sustainability, but also economic benefit for the country", said Kanceska-Milevska.
Archaeological Museum of Macedonia director Vesela Cestoeva said this year marks the 15th anniversary from the first archaeological research at the Kokino site. Therefore, an international scientific symposium dedicated to Kokino will be held on June 24-25, accompanied by an exhibit of Macedonian photographer Ljupco Ilievski.
Kumanovo Museum director Anita Cvetanovska said exhibit "Kokino-Fortress of the Sun" will open on June 25, including about 150 artifacts.
Festival "Fortress of the Sun", organized by "Password Production", will be held at the site by the end of July and the beginning of August, giving Kokino a new vibe without disrupting its atmosphere and spirit.
Kokino is an archaeological site and a megalithic observatory located some thirty kilometers northeast of Kumanovo. This site has a diameter of 100 meters; it is scaled on two levels, underneath of mountain peak Tatikjev Kamen, at an altitude of 1013m. At the time of its discovery in 2001, it was believed to be a special mountain sanctuary from the Bronze Age. The more detailed archaeological-astronomical research carried out in the following two years showed that the site has all the characteristics of a holy place, but also of an older observatory for observation of celestial objects.