Macedonian President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova opened the 2026 “Generalka Weekend” national cleanup campaign on May 8 with a bold vision, transforming the three day volunteer action into a year round philosophy of environmental responsibility, declaring that “Generalka Weekend should grow into Generalka 365.” Speaking at the Vardar River embankment in Skopje, she urged citizens to adopt the Japanese practice of cleaning their surroundings before starting each day, calling for this to become “a philosophy of life” rather than an annual event. The president referenced French philosopher Michel Serres’ “Natural Contract,” arguing that humanity must forge a friendly agreement with Earth and treat the planet as an equal partner, warning that human conflict with nature disrupts ecological balance and leads toward self destruction.
The 2026 action, running May 8-10 across 80 municipalities and more than 500 locations nationwide, is expected to mobilize tens of thousands of volunteers, building on last year’s record of over 20,000 participants . In Skopje, eight teams worked the Vardar River banks from the Lepenec River to the Kiro Gligorov Bridge, with volunteers from private companies, institutions, high schools, and universities joining municipal enterprises Komunalna Higijena and Parkovi i Zelenilo. Special activities this year include cleanup of illegal dumpsites in Shar Mountain National Park led by 20 Macedonian mountaineers, demonstrating the campaign’s expanding scope beyond urban centers.
Siljanovska Davkova directly challenged Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorgjievski to follow the example of Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who transformed several Parisian streets into green spaces. “Green is beautiful, wonderful. Skopje needs to become greener, but first we must clean it,” the president stated, linking environmental aesthetics with practical civic action. The initiative also connects to educational reform, as Siljanovska Davkova highlighted a recent cabinet event promoting outdoor teaching and learning in nature. For a country where air pollution regularly ranks among Europe’s worst and where the Vardar River has suffered decades of neglect, the Generalka movement represents both symbolic aspiration and tangible progress, though the president’s 365 day vision will require institutional follow through beyond volunteer enthusiasm to transform Macedonia’s environmental culture.
