Book Review for "Museums as Generators of Identity in Skopje"

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Date: 20.11.2024

Balkan University Press has the unique pleasure of sharing the review for the book "Museums as Generators of Identity in Skopje" by Prof. Alenka Fikfak

A book about museums, cultural identity, and much more. Arbresha Ibrahimi has introduced a fresh perspective on an age-old topic: the role of museums. Through this well-structured and systematically organized work, Ibrahimi interrogates the multifaceted questions through topics of museums, education, research, artistic and critical approaches, development, and the relationships between these aspects, all with a central focus on spatial development and the role of museums as urban generators.

This book is not merely an overview of what museums represent as spatial phenomena; it is much more than that. It is a sensitive and intricate composition of interlinked research findings, including documented data, archival materials, extensive literature, architectural practice and theory, as well as urban composition and morphology.

The book’s primary goal is a critical and experimental examination of museums, with a particular emphasis on questions of identity in Skopje. It critically highlights the challenges faced in obtaining an accurate understanding of Skopje’s historical urban and architectural state due to the scarcity of archival data, the scattered nature of resources across various organizations, and limited accessibility. Museums in Skopje have also struggled with inadequate record-keeping and data management.

The book underscores the necessity of interdisciplinary studies as a continuation of research into museum identity, particularly exploring connections between “museum” neuroscience, “museum” urbanism, and phenomenology—an area often overlooked. One of its key conclusions is succinctly captured in the statement: “Architectural, urban, and methodological studies should emphasize the diverse and multifunctional potential of museums as catalysts for long-term local regeneration” (Ibrahimi, 2024, 185).

The book, titled Museums as Generators of Identity in Skopje, addresses a timely and engaging topic. Its methodology is developed through case studies, presented with in-depth authors knowledge. Moreover, the book is richly supported by the author’s graphic material, which takes an artistic approach. A significant body of literature has been reviewed, and the work is a product of well-organised research, structured analyses, and clear recommendations for further exploration. It effectively positions museums, not only as cultural and physical presences in urban spaces, but also as creators of “spatial identity.”

With this work, Ibrahimi establishes a foundational perspective on integrating culture as a key focus in urban development. The book serves as a compelling reminder that contemporary standardization risks undermining the essence of spatial meaning. The author’s clear message is that cultural identity in urban forms and cities must be supported as an ongoing dialogue, resonating at all levels of the social environment and within the hearts of individual users.

Prof. Dr. ALENKA FIKFAK

University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Urbanism, 

Alenka Fikfak is a PhD, MA in Architecture and Urban Planning. Head of Chair of Urbanism UL FA, coordinator of Urban studies at UL FA. Research experience: spatial and urban planning, urban design, planning of small settlements, rurism and rural architecture, urban regulations, morphological models, settlement culture, models for revitalisation. Organised and participate in more than 50 architectural and urbanistic workshops. Special focus on executive workshops as small public interventions. Active in organization and participation in International conferences of Spatial Planning development and Urbanism. Member of different national and international scientific and art committees. Active in professional work in domain of urban planning and design. 

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