Kristina Joshevska

Report on some of the major changes in Bitola Introduction The aim of this report is to identify some of the major changes in my hometown, Bitola, that have taken place since the year 2000, which will help a TV company in making a documentary about the city. General description Bitola is one of the oldest cities and the second largest city in North Macedonia. It is situated in the southwestern part of the country. Bitola is also known as the “City of Consuls” since many European countries have consulates there. The city has many popular landmarks such as ​Širok Sokak, a long pedestrian street that stretches from Magnolia Square to the City Park and the famous Clock Tower. Bitola is beautiful but not many things have changed during the past years, which resulted in stagnation of the city. Decline in population According to the 1994 census, the population of Bitola was around 86,000 whereas, according to the last census of 2002, the population of the city was around 74,000. Although the last census was done in 2002, it is a fact that a myriad of people have emigrated from Bitola since 2002. Emigration is one of the biggest factors in the decline in population alongside other natural causes. Therefore, we can conclude that there has been a constant decline in the population of Bitola from 1994 to 2019. This decline is most likely caused by the stagnation of the city in almost every field. The people don’t see a future in their hometown anymore, they don’t see changes and so consequently, they go someplace better, some place that offers a better quality of life. The effects of this major change are without a doubt negative, leaving the city with less and less citizens every year. Air quality Not only there has been a constant decline in population in Bitola over the past 19 years but also there has been a decline in the quality of the air, especially during winter. Air pollution is one of the major problems of all of North Macedonia and Bitola is one of the most polluted cities in the country. On December 21, 2018, the air in Bitola was described as “lethal” ​after the measuring station read hair-raising 600 micrograms per cubic meter of PM​10 particles. The acceptable levels of PM​10 particles in the air in a 24-hour period is 50µg/m​3​. Therefore, everything above that is ​ unacceptable and, in this case, even hazardous. The levels of air pollution in Bitola continued rising steadily from 2000 to 2019. Some of the major causes for this problem is the use of wood for domestic heating, the burning of tires and plastic, electricity production and traffic. The effects are life-threatening i.e. air pollution can cause a heart attack, a stroke, lung cancer, bronchitis among other health issues. Bitola Shakespeare Festival Bitola Shakespeare Festival is worth mentioning as one of the positive changes in Bitola since 2000. The idea for the festival was born in 2012 ​while the National Theatre Bitola was participating in the ​Globe to Globe Festival in London. Bitola Shakespeare Festival takes place in the theatre as well as outdoors in the Ancient Theatre of Heraclea, which is 2 km away from Bitola. The festival hosts plays, performances, workshops for actors and discussions for everyone that is interested in and wants to know more about Shakespeare’s works. The National Theatre Bitola has welcomed many renowned theatre companies on the festival from all over the world such as companies from USA, England, Russia, Turkey, Slovakia, Serbia, Mexico and many more. The first edition of the festival was held in 2014 and from then on the festival has only shown positive results and it has been a great success every year. Therefore, Bitola Shakespeare festival helps in maintaining and enriching the city’s culture and history and it offers collaboration with various countries from all around the world. Conclusion & Recommendations To conclude, Bitola is a fun, beautiful city, full of friendly people which needs a lot of improvement. Some things need to change as soon as possible. There should be more opportunities available for young people so they can be satisfied with what the city offers and continue living there thus increasing the population levels. Also, some strategies have to be developed to reduce air pollution - one of Bitola’s most serious and life-threatening problems. Alongside solving these problems, the city should also focus and think of some other positive changes to take part in Bitola, like the Bitola Shakespeare Festival. Written by​: Kristina Joshevska