Kumanovo Куманово
Main square of Kumanovo
Flag Seal
Kumanovo Location in the Republic of Macedonia
Coordinates: 42°08′09″N 21°43′05″E / 42.13583°N 21.71806°E / 42.13583; 21.71806Coordinates: 42°08′09″N 21°43′05″E / 42.13583°N 21.71806°E / 42.13583; 21.71806
Country	Republic of Macedonia
Municipality	Kumanovo Municipality
Government
• Mayor	Zoran Damjanovski - Cic
Area
• City	509.48 km2 (196.71 sq mi)
Elevation	+340 m (1,120 ft)
Population (2002)
• City	70,842
• Density	207.04/km2 (536.2/sq mi)
• Metro	105 484
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
Postal codes	1300
Area code(s)	+389 (0)31
Car plates	KU
Patron saints	St. George
Website	http://www.kumanovo.gov.mk

Kumanovo (Macedonian: Куманово Macedonian pronunciation: [kuˈmanɔvɔ], Albanian: Kumanova, Kumanovë) is a city in the Republic of Macedonia and is the seat of Kumanovo Municipality which is the largest municipality in the country. Municipal institutions include a city council, mayor and other administrative bodies.

Name[link]

The name of the city in Serbian and Bulgarian, it is the same as in Macedonian: Kumanovo (Куманово). The etymology of the name is connected with Turkic tribe Cumans' invasion in the area in the early 12th century.^[1]

Geography[link]

Kumanovo is situated in the northeastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, near the capital city of Skopje. The coordinates of the city are approximately 42°05'N and 21°40'E. Kumanovo lies 340 m (1,115.49 ft) above sea level and is surrounded by the Karadag part of Skopska Crna Gora mountain on its western side, Gradishtanska planina mountain on its southern side, and Mangovica and German mountain on the eastern side. Kumanovo has a temperate climate. Skopje airport also serves Kumanovo.

Demographics[link]

The population of the city of Kumanovo according to the 2002 census numbers 70,842, the majority of which are ethnic Macedonians (42,840), with a significant minority of ethnic Albanians (18,277) and Serbs (4,727).^[2]

History[link]

Prehistory[link]

The area boasts several prehistoric settlements, among which are the Kostoperska karpa, the Bronze Age Gradiste near the village of Pelince, the Neolithic site of Mlado Nagoričane, the Iron Age tumulus Groblje at Vojnik, the Roman Necropolis Drezga of Lopate, and the Roman Settlement Vicianus at village of Klečovce.

Early history[link]

The city was first mentioned in 1519 in a document housed in a Turkish archive in Istanbul.^{[citation needed]} The most comprehensive and relevant information on Kumanovo is provided by Evliya Çelebi in 1660/1661:

"The colony of Kumanovo is situated on the territory of the Skopje sanjak and represents one county. The city is embellished with many rivers and 600 tile-roofs houses. The mosque in the downtown is beautiful, there are teke, madrassa, hammam, a number of shops and water mills; and the climate is pleasant and agreeable. There are many vineyards and gardens".^{[citation needed]}

Kumanovo became an urban settlement and administrative center of the region at the end of the 16th century or the beginning of the 17th century. Following the turbulent events (notably, the Karposh Uprising in 1689) the city experienced a period of stagnation, and by the end of 18th century Kumanovo epitomized an Ottoman provincial town.

[edit] Karposh Rebellion

According to the Turkish historian Silahdar Findikli Mehmed Aga, its leader Karposh initially was a vojvod of haiduks near Dospat, in present-day Bulgaria, but later the Turks named him chief of Christian auxiliary forces in the area between Sofia, Veles, Dojran, Kjustendil and Nevrokop. Initially, he was a vassal of Turks, but when the Ottoman empire began to weaken in 1689 and discontent rose concerning new higher taxation policies, Karpoš became a turning point in the battle versus the Turks. In that period Austria staged an attack on the Ottoman Empire. Then the Karpoš seized upon the situation and the uprising quickly spread to the rebels freeing Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Kumanovo, Kačanik and in other towns. Then, together with the Austrian army, led by Emperor Leopold I, they fought to liberate Skopje and Štip.

Later there was a change in the military and political situation in the Balkans, which had a crucial effect on the rebellion. The Austrian army was forced to withdraw and powerful Turkish forces, reinforced by Tatar detachments belonging to the Crimean Khan Selim I Giray, attacked the rebels. After fierce battles the Turks took Kriva Palanka, the rebel stronghold, and then attacked Kumanovo and its newly-constructed fortress. Karpoš was captured, removed to Skopje, and put to death on the Stone Bridge across the Vardar.

First Balkan War[link]

Ottoman soldiers, photographed during the battle.

In October 1912, during the First Balkan War, Serbian forces under the command of General Radomir Putnik won a decisive victory over the Ottomans north of the town. The two-day Battle of Kumanovo ended Ottoman authority in Vardar Macedonia and prepared the way for the region's integration into Yugoslavia.^[3]

World War II[link]

The anti-fascist insurrection of Macedonians and the struggle for national and social liberation began in Kumanovo and Prilep on October 11, 1941. On 11 October 1941, in Kumanovo and Prilep started the antifashist struggle of the Macedonian people. The struggle ended with victory and formation of the Macedonian federative state inside Yugoslavia Federation (SFRY). One of the famous partizans from Kumanovo was Hristijan Todorovski Karposh shown on the picture. After 1945 Kumanovo experienced fast economic, administrative and cultural development.

Modern history[link]

It developed economically in the late 19th century (agriculture, handcrafts and trade). Still, industrial development occurred only at the end of the Second World War. The rapid economic, administrative and cultural expansion of Kumanovo began in 1945. Today, it is a modern city with approximately 100,000 inhabitants. It was also the site of the June 9, 1999 Agreement signed between FR Yugoslav Generals and the NATO Generals about bringing in a NATO peacekeeping contingent in Kosovo called, the Kosovo Force, or KFOR.^[4]

2001 Albanian Insurgency[link]

The Albanin insurgency in Macedonia first started in the mountains outskirts of Tetovo and then spread in May 2001 to the region of Kumanovo mostly to the north.

Economy[link]

The town's metal-processing, tobacco, agriculture, footwear and textile industries have made it an economic, trading and cultural center of approximately 135,529 people. Agriculture and trade developed mainly in the 19th century, but the city's modern look was established after the Second World War.

Roads[link]

A 40 kilometre highway exists between Skopje and Kumanovo, going near Kumanovo in the north and crossing the border with Serbia. A railway also connects Skopje with Kumanovo and Serbia. Another important road goes from Kumanovo to Kriva Palanka and then to the border with Bulgaria.

Culture[link]

St Nikola Church

Kumanovo has several monuments dating back to the prehistoric period. The most important ones are: Gradishte, an archaeological place of interest that is situated near the village of Pelince and dates from the Bronze Age. Near the village of Mlado Nagorichane is another interesting site dating from the period of Neolith. Near the village of Lopate is the Drezga place that represents a Roman necropolis.

The oldest folklore assemble in the Republic of Macedonia, KUD "Pance Pesev" is placed in Kumanovo. This year the assemble is celebrating 80 years of existence. It has represented Kumanovo and Macedonia on many international folklore festivals in Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Turkey, Croatia, Romania, Hungary, Poland, France, etc. The president is Mr. Miroslav Krstevski.

Kumanovo has a library “ Tane Georgievski Library”, cultural center Trajko Prokopiev, museum and national theatre. Several painting colonies and exhibitions take place every year in Kumanovo or in nearby villages. Kumanovo is distinguished by its jazz festival which features bands from all over the world. In 2002 the Macedonian bands Foltin and Dragan Dautovski Quartet, as well as bands from Croatia, Hungary, Netherlands, Slovenia, Serbia and Montenegro participated in the festival and in 2005 bands from as far as the Netherlands and Norway participated.

Every year Kumanovo has a “Days of comedy” festival, sponsored by the Macedonian Ministry of Culture, featuring comedies from several Macedonian theatres and also from neighbouring Serbia and Bulgaria.

Kumanovo municipality was organizing the manifestation “City of culture 2006”.

Neighborhoods[link]

Goce Delchev, Bedinje, Karposh, Ajduchka Cheshma, Pukovsko, Jane Sandanski (Babin Dol), Sredorek.

Streets[link]

Oktomvriska Revolucija, 3 Makedonska Udarna Brigada, Goce Delchev, Narodna Revolucija, Nikola Tesla, Leninova, 11 Oktomvri, Ivo Lola Ribar, Srbo Tomovik, Tode Mendol and Pero Chicho.

Old neighborhoods[link]

Varosh maalo, Endek maalo, Muhamedbegovo maalo, Ortabunar maalo, Bedinsko maalo, Veleshka maalo, Karapsko maalo, Novo maalo, Lipkovsko maalo, Teke maalo, Tatar maalo and Muandzisko maalo, Sokolana maalo.

Old streets[link]

Opancharsko sokace, Nagorichki sokak, Proevski sokak, Veleshki sokak, Romanovski sokak, Ukumat sokak and Vranjsko Dzade.

Landmarks[link]

Kokino

One of the most important sites located near the Kumanovo is the 4,000 year old megalithic astronomical observatory of Kokino, located 30 km northeast of Kumanovo and discovered in 2001. It is ranked fourth on the list of old observatories by NASA. Sculpture of Batko Gjorgjija located in the center of the city, Monument Four Poles also located in the center of the city on the main square. Monument Kosturnica. House Museum of Hristijan Todorovski - Karposh. The oldest and biggest church in the town is the Church of St. Nikolas. There are icons from the 13th century in the church. The church represents a masterwork of Andreja Damjanov, an important Macedonian renaissance architect. Church Holy Trinity built in 1902, Church of St. George, Staro Nagoričane, Church of St. Petka in the village of Mlado Nagoričane, the Karpino Monastery, the Ascension of Holy Mother in the village of Matejce, Eski Mosque built in 1751, Monument Zebrnjak, Kumanovo Spa in the village of Proevce and Sports Hall Sokolana. Other landmarks are: staue of Woman Fighter, buildings: Zanatski dom and Kasapski Krug and ASNOM memorial center in the village Pelince.

Sport[link]

Macedonian National Football Team played friendly match with Egypt in Kumanovo on the 29th of September 1998. The game took place at City Stadium Kumanovo and the scorers for Macedonian team were Zaharievski Srgjan and Sainovski Djevdat. The match ended 2:2

FK Milano Kumanovo it is the only team that now plays in the Makedonska Prva Liga from Kumanovo. The club was founded in 1990 and their home terrain is Milano Arena.

RK Kumanovo is the handball club that currently competes in the Macedonian Handball Super League. They won the first ever Macedonian Handball Cup back in 1992-93.

International relations[link]

Twin towns — sister cities[link]

Kumanovo is twinned with the following cities and municipalities:^[5]

See also[link]

• List of people from Kumanovo
• Kumanovo dialect
• Kumanovo Municipality
• Buildings and Structures in Kumanovo
• Karposh's Rebellion
• Battle of Kumanovo
• Kumanovo Treaty

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Web Site of Kumanovo
• Kumanovo daily news
• Kumanovo FAQ
• Kokino megalithic observatory
• Kokino ancient observatory
• Kumanovo jazz festival
• Web Site of Kumanovo

v t e Cities and towns in the Republic of Macedonia Berovo · Bitola · Bogdanci · Debar · Delčevo · Demir Hisar · Demir Kapija · Gevgelija · Gostivar · Kavadarci · Kičevo · Kočani · Kratovo · Kriva Palanka · Kruševo · Kumanovo · Makedonska Kamenica · Makedonski Brod · Negotino · Ohrid · Pehčevo · Prilep · Probištip · Radoviš · Resen · Skopje · Struga · Strumica · Sveti Nikole · Štip · Tetovo · Valandovo · Veles · Vinica

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Kumanovo

Sean Paul
Sean Paul at the International Reggae and World Music Awards.
Background information
Birth name	Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques
Born	(1973-01-09) January 9, 1973 (age 39) Kingston, Jamaica
Genres	Dancehall, reggae, R&B, ragga
Occupations	Musician, singer-songwriter, producer, actor
Years active	1996–present
Labels	VP, Atlantic
Website	allseanpaul.com

Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques^[1] (born January 9, 1973),^[1][2] who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican dancehall and reggae artist.

Life and career[link]

1973–96: Early life[link]

Sean Paul was born in Kingston and spent his early years in Upper Andrew Parish, a few miles north of Kingston.^[2] His parents, Garth and Frances, were both talented athletes, and his mother is a well-known painter.^[3] His paternal grandfather was a Sephardic Jew whose family emigrated from Portugal, and his paternal grandmother was Afro-Caribbean; his mother is of English and Chinese Jamaican descent.^[4][5] Sean Paul was raised as a Catholic.^[6] Many members of his family are swimmers. His grandfather was on the first Jamaican men's national water polo team. His father also played water polo for the team in the 1960s, and competed in long-distance swimming, while Sean Paul's mother was a backstroke swimmer. Sean Paul played for the national water polo team from the age of thirteen to twenty-one, when he gave up the sport in order to launch his musical career. He attended the Wolmers High School for Boys, Belair School, Hillel Academy High School, and the College of Arts, Science, and Technology, now known as the University of Technology, where he was trained in commerce with a view to pursuing an occupation in hotel management.

[edit] 1998–2000: Stage One

Sean Paul's manager and producer Jeremy Harding first heard about the singer when his brother told him about seeing someone at a small open mic event in Kingston who sounded a lot like the popular dancehall DJ and toaster Super Cat.^[7] Harding eventually met the singer when Sean Paul came by his studio to ask for some advice. During the meeting Paul recorded a vocal over Harding's rhythm track and in the process created the song "Baby Girl".^[7] Sean Paul began hanging out at the studio every day, and the pair collaborated on several more tracks. When they recorded "Infiltrate" they decided they had something good enough to get on the radio. As Sean Paul started to attract local attention, Harding began looking after his affairs. He later told HitQuarters that his support of Paul's fledgling career initially led him assuming the roles of "DJ, manager, road manager and security guard."^[7] Sean Paul made a quick cameo appearance in the 1998 film Belly on stage performing. He made a very successful collaboration with DMX & Mr. Vegas (Top Shotter) as a soundtrack of the film. In 2000, Sean Paul released his debut album, Stage One with VP Records.

[edit] 2001–02: Dutty Rock

In 2002, he began working extensively with a team of producers and choreographers from Toronto, namely Jae Blaze and Blaze Entertainment and announced the release of his second album, Dutty Rock. Pushed by the success of the singles "Gimme the Light" and the Billboard Hot 100 topper, "Get Busy", the album was a worldwide success, eventually selling over six million copies. Simultaneously, Sean Paul was heard on Beyoncé's U.S. #1 single "Baby Boy" and Blu Cantrell's "Breathe", a chart hit in Europe. Both helped to push his reputation further still in the United States. He appeared on Punk'd, 106 & Park, Sean Paul Respect, Making the Video ("Get Busy", "Gimme the Light", and "Like Glue") and his music videos have been broadcast on MTV and BET. Paul's biggest hits included "Get Busy", "Like Glue", "Gimme the Light", "Baby Boy", and "I'm Still in Love with You".

[edit] 2003–05: The Trinity

Sean Paul in September 2005.

Sean Paul's third album The Trinity was released in on September 27, 2005. The album produced five big hits, "We Be Burnin'", "Ever Blazin'", "Give It Up to Me", "Never Gonna Be The Same" and the U.S. chart-topping smash hit "Temperature". The video of "Give It Up to Me" (featuring Keyshia Cole) was also featured in the movie Step Up in 2006. He was nominated for four awards at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards, including male artist of the year, rap artist of the year, hot 100 single of the year, and pop single of the year for his hit "Temperature".^[8] He also won an American Music Award for "(When You Gonna) Give It Up To Me" beating Kanye West and Nick Lachey who were also nominated for the award. His song "Send It On" from "The Trinity" featured on the 2005 Vauxhall Corsa advert. Sean Paul often contributes his songs to various Riddim Driven albums (by VP Records). In March 2007, he returned to his native Jamaica to perform at the Cricket World Cup 2007 opening ceremony. Sean Paul appears on the game Def Jam: Fight for NY as part of Snoop Dogg's crew and again in the game's sequel, Def Jam Icon.

[edit] 2006–10: Imperial Blaze

The newest Sean Paul album entitled "Imperial Blaze" was released on August 18, 2009. The lead single, “So Fine”, which was produced by Stephen “Di Genius” McGregor, premiered on Sean Paul's official website on April 26, 2009.^{[9][dead link][10]} Speaking to Pete Lewis of 'Blues & Soul' magazine in August 2009, Sean Paul stated that 'Imperial Blaze' "Actually signifies 'The King's Fire'. It's that thing inside of you that gives you the desire to do whatever you do, and be the best in the world at it."^[11] The new album consists of 20 tracks including "So Fine", "Press it Up", "She Want Me", "Private Party" which are party tracks and also love songs such as "Hold My Hand" (feat Keri Hilson), "Lately", "Now That I've Got Your Love" among others. Producers on the album include Don Corleone, Jeremy Harding, and Sean's brother Jason 'Jigzagula' Henriques.^[11] All the full songs of the album have been added to Sean Paul's Myspace page^[12] on the day of release of the album.

Up until now there have been eight music videos: "Always On My Mind (with Da'Ville)", "Give It To You (with Eve)", "Watch Them Roll", "Back It Up" (with Left Side/Mr. Evil), "(I Wanna See You) Push It Baby" (with Pretty Ricky), "Hit 'Em" (with Fahrenheit and his brother Jason "Jigzagula" Henriques), "Come Over" with Estelle,^[13] and also the video of his first single, "So Fine" from the new album. He has recently been featured in Shaggy's video, "Save A Life", which also includes appearances from Elephant Man and Da'Ville, among others. In an effort to raise money for a children's hospital, Shaggy, Sean Paul and others will be having a benefit concert. All proceeds will go towards getting new equipment and technology 'For Aid to the Bustamante Hospital for Children'. In an interview in 2009 he says he is planning to release a new album in 2011. During the premiere for MNET's Big Brother Africa 5: All-Stars on July 18, 2010, he performed his songs "Temperature", "Hold My Hand", and "So Fine".

[edit] 2011–present: Tomahawk Technique

The first single Got 2 Luv U features vocals from American singer Alexis Jordan. It was released on the July 19, 2011 by Atlantic Records. The song was written by Sean Paul, Ryan Tedder and Stargate, and it was produced by Stargate.^[14][15][16]

She Doesn't Mind is the second single from the album. It was written by Sean Paul, Shellback and Benny Blanco and was produced by Shellback and Benny Blanco. It was released on the September 29, 2011 on NRJ & Skyrock (French radios), and to iTunes on October 31.^[17] Like its proceeder, "Got 2 Luv U", featuring Alexis Jordan, it topped the charts in Switzerland, but it debuted at that spot. Sean appeared on the Never Mind the Buzzcocks episode which aired on November 21, 2011.

Sean Paul is featured in the music video for the Simple Plan song Summer Paradise.

Discography[link]

Studio albums

• Stage One (2000)
• Dutty Rock (2002)
• The Trinity (2005)
• Imperial Blaze (2009)
• Tomahawk Technique (2012)

Mixtapes

• The Odyssey Mixtape (2009)

Filmography[link]

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (May 2010)

Branko Crvenkovski Бранко Црвенковски
President of the Republic of Macedonia
In office 12 May 2004 – 12 May 2009
Prime Minister	Hari Kostov Vlado Bučkovski Nikola Gruevski
Preceded by	Boris Trajkovski
Succeeded by	Ǵorge Ivanov
Prime Minister of Macedonia
In office 17 August 1992 – 30 November 1998
President	Kiro Gligorov Stojan Andov Kiro Gligorov
Preceded by	Nikola Kljusev
Succeeded by	Ljubco Georgievski
In office 1 November 2002 – 12 May 2004
President	Boris Trajkovski Ljupco Jordanovski
Preceded by	Ljubco Georgievski
Succeeded by	Radmila Šekerinska
Personal details
Born	(1962-10-12) 12 October 1962 (age 49) Sarajevo, Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Political party	Social Democratic Union
Spouse(s)	Jasna Crvenkovska
Alma mater	Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje
Religion	Macedonian Orthodoxy

Branko Crvenkovski (Macedonian: Бранко Црвенковски [ˈbraŋkɔ tsr̩ˈvɛŋkɔfski] ( listen); born 12 October 1962) leads the Republic of Macedonia's largest opposition party, the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia. He was Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia from 1992 to 1998 and again from 2002 to 2004, then President of the Republic of Macedonia from 2004 to 2009.

Crvenkovski was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, then part of SFR Yugoslavia.^[1]

In 1986 he obtained a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Automation from the School of Electrical Engineering at the St. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje.

He was elected member of the Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia at the first multi-party elections in Yugoslavia in 1990 after serving for several years as head of department at the Semos company in Skopje. A former communist, Crvenkovski has been at the head of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia since April 1991.

On 5 September 1992 he became Macedonia's second prime minister after its secession from Yugoslavia and continued in the post for another four years following the December 1994 elections.

He served as Prime Minister from 1992 to 1998 and from 2002 until 2004. He was most recently elected in 2002 after his Social Democratic Union of Macedonia party won parliamentary elections.

In July 1996 he ordered that Albanian flags in front of government buildings in western part of the Republic of Macedonia be removed. The situation escalated with one person dead and many injured. In 2005, on his initiative, the Albanian flag was legalized.

He won the April 2004 presidential election against Saško Kedev, and took office on May 12, 2004. He then resigned as prime minister.

Crvenkovski did not run for a second term in the presidential elections in March 2009. Instead, he returned to his party and was elected to be the head of the party on 24 May 2009.^[2]

Branko Crvenkovski is an Honorary Member of Raoul Wallenberg Foundation.^[3]

Honours and awards[link]

•  Albania: Received a copy of the key of the city of Tirana on the occasion of his state visit to Albania.^[4]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Branko Crvenkovski

• Official site of the President of the Republic of Macedonia

v t e President of the Republic of Macedonia Presidents of the People's Assembly of SR Macedonia (1945–1974) Metodija Andonov-Čento · Dimitar Vlahov · Blagoja Fotev · Vidoe Smilevski · Dimce Stojanov · Lazar Koliševski · Ljupčo Arsov · Vidoe Smilevski (second term) · Mito Hadzivasilev · Nikola Mincev Presidents of the Presidency of SR Macedonia (1974–1991) Vidoe Smilevski · Ljupčo Arsov · Angel Cemerski · Blagoja Taleski · Tome Bukleski · Vanco Apostolski · Dragoljub Stavrev · Jezdimir Bogdanski · Vladimir Mitkov · Kiro Gligorov Presidents of Macedonia (since 1991) Kiro Gligorov · Boris Trajkovski · Branko Crvenkovski · Gjorge Ivanov