Country Summary for MACEDONIA, THE FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF

Definitions

“Cultural heritage” consists of material and immaterial goods which, due to their archaeological, ethnological, historical, artistic, architectural, technical, sociological or cultural values, characteristics, contents, or functions, have cultural and historical significance; their protection and use are goverened by this Law. (LPCH, Art. 2)

"Right to Cultural Heritage" is the right of every person, individually or collectively to use the benefits of cultural heritage, contribute to its preservation and enrichment, and to recognize and respect his/her own cultural heritage and the cultural heritage of others. (LPCH, Art. 11)

"Antique" ("ancient artifact") shall mean an item with an artistic, historical, scientific, cultural or similar value, at least 100 years old; it may be fewer than 100 years if the object is rare, or becomes rare because if it is no longer produced or created. (LPCH, Art. 11)

“National treasures” refer to movable cultural heritage that:
1.) is protected as cultural heritage of special significance or are proclaimed as significant cultural heritage;
2.) is part of a public collection managed by a museum, library or film archives institution or the National Archives;
3.) represents protected religious objects or are part of the protected sacral collection of a certain religious community, or
4.) it is established that they have archaeological, historical, artistic or other cultural or scientific value for Republic of Macedonia.
And are more than 50 (or 100) years old.

More than 50 years old:
Paintings, gouaches, pastels, mosaics, prints, lithographs, sculptures, photographs, film, sound recordings, manuscripts, musical scores, archival materials; Architectural, scientific and engineering drawings, sketches and maquettes; numismatic, philatelist, ethnographic and historical collections or objects from such collections.

More than 100 years old:
archaeological objects; components of artistic, historical or religious monuments that were separated; books, maps.
(LPCH, Art. 32-a)

Registry

A National Register of Cultural Heritage shall be maintained by the Ministry of Culture.
The Registry shall consist of separate sections for: immovable; movable; intangible; and cultural heritage of particular importance.
Additional registries shall be kept for: temporarily-protected goods; cultural heritage in danger; and reserved archeological zones. (LPCH, Art. 45)