Jovan Stefanovski, the Macedonian architect captivated by Malta and its Christian legacy

Abstract

Through its long cultural history, Malta has long been a favourite of artists and scholars alike for various reasons ranging from the political to the aesthetic. Many have visited and left a memento in the form of literature and/or a work of art. Jovan Stefanovski, a leading contemporary architect from the Republic of North Macedonia, was one such personality. Following a short visit with his family in 2007, he got to know the topography of Malta, information which supplemented his knowledge on the history and culture of the island and its dependencies. He travelled to the islands a decade later, delivering a lecture at the University of Malta, revisiting a number of cultural heritage sites and holding meetings to identify a location for the erection of a Cross, a project for which he offered to waive his professional fees. This article concludes by providing an insight into his significant professional interest in Malta, effectively providing a cultural diplomatic bridge between his native North Macedonia and Malta.