Ohrid Unveils a “Smart Monument” to Grigor Prlichev—A New Model for Digital Cultural Heritage in Public Space
In August 2022, Ohrid introduced an unconventional public monument dedicated to Grigor Prlichev—one that does not rely on bronze or stone, but on immersive computing. Presented at the Arts Square at Dolna Porta, the “digital smart monument” was designed as a permanent, street-level cultural interface that merges artificial intelligence with virtual reality and holographic presentation, enabling residents and visitors to engage with an interactive avatar of the poet in the center of his hometown. Cultural Chat+2Емитер+2
According to reports from the event, the system combines holographic technology, a three-dimensional multimedia interface, and spatial audio intended to place the virtual Prlichev “inside” the urban environment rather than behind a screen. Prof. Dr. Anis Sefidanis explained that the goal was to create a futuristic experience where culture and technology, past and future, can be encountered through direct interaction with a “digital consciousness” of the figure often referred to as the “Second Homer.” Cultural Chat+2Емитер+2
The Municipality of Ohrid presented the installation as a city-supported innovation, stating that the system was developed by the company Sefidanis and linked to a memorandum for strategic cooperation between the municipality and the company. In public statements carried by multiple outlets, Mayor Kiril Pecakov framed the project as a distinctive tourism and nation-promotion instrument—an experience intended to be difficult to replicate elsewhere. Ohrid.gov.mk – Ohrid.gov.mk+2Иновативност+2
On the technology side, coverage emphasized two elements that are especially consequential for cultural heritage applications: Macedonian-language speech recognition and a high-realism avatar synchronized with spoken delivery that conveys Prlichev’s verses and emotions. Cultural Chat reported that the voice performance was provided by actor Strezo Stamatovski, while the three-dimensional spatial audio capture and processing was produced by Sasho Mitan and the Super Radio Ohrid team, with additional support for Ohrid-specific language features. Cultural Chat
Kanal 5 further reported that the virtual likeness was built using original photographs and authentic sculptures, applying advanced machine-intelligence methods for digital photogrammetry. The same reporting described the monument as intended for year-round, day-and-night availability at Dolna Porta—positioning it not as a temporary exhibit, but as an always-on cultural endpoint embedded in daily city life. kanal5.com.mk
The public narrative around the unveiling also highlighted the multidisciplinary nature of the build. Cultural Chat named contributors spanning mechanical engineering, robotics automation, and cultural institutions—describing a broader team effort under the leadership of Prof. Sefidanis, including support in accessing archival materials needed for the digital “revival” concept. Cultural Chat
Within days of its promotion, however, the project also became a case study in the risks facing public digital infrastructure. Multiple outlets reported that the monument was vandalized less than 48 hours after the unveiling. Meta.mk and Tocka cited statements attributed to Prof. Sefidanis indicating that unknown individuals cut the electrical supply, removed the Macedonian flag, tore off inscriptions, and attempted to force access to the internal compartment housing the main computer. Meta.mk+2Tocka+2
Local reporting described the monument being temporarily taken out of operation while the team and the Municipality of Ohrid worked on restarting the system and improving protection measures. TVM reported that the incident was handled in coordination with the municipality and security services, reflecting an immediate shift from cultural launch to operational resilience. Портал ТВМ
A separate report by 360 Stepeni added procedural detail from local authorities, stating that the case was reported to SVR Ohrid and that the monument—described as owned by the Municipality of Ohrid—was shut down after the reported removal of letters and the flag, with the search for perpetrators continuing in coordination with a public prosecutor. 360 степени
In late September 2022, NetPress reported a second vandalism incident, again involving removed lettering and the Macedonian flag, following a police report logged at 23:35 regarding damage to the monument at the small square area on “Kosta Abrash” street in Ohrid. NetPress
Taken as a whole, the 2022 “Smart Monument” to Grigor Prlichev illustrates both the promise and the practical constraints of next-generation digital heritage: the capacity to bring language, voice, and embodied presence into public space through AI-driven interfaces—alongside the requirement to engineer security, durability, and continuity like any other critical public system. kanal5.com.mk+2Cultural Chat+2
References and original publication dates
Cultural Chat — “Промовиран дигиталниот паметен споменик на Григор Прличев во Охрид” — 10 August 2022. Cultural Chat
Municipality of Ohrid (ohrid.gov.mk) — “Промовиран виртуелниот паметен споменик на Григор Прличев” — 10 August 2022. Ohrid.gov.mk – Ohrid.gov.mk
Emiter — “Во Охрид претставен првиот холограмски паметен споменик во Македонија” — 10 August 2022. Емитер
Kanal 5 — “Промовиран виртуелен паметен споменик на Григор Прличев” — 10 August 2022. kanal5.com.mk
Meta.mk — “По нецели два дена, виртуелниот споменик на Григор Прличев во Охрид е вандализиран” — 12 August 2022. Meta.mk
360 Stepeni — “СВР Охрид: Се уште се трага по вандалите кои го оштетија дигиталниот споменик на Прличев” — 12 August 2022. 360 степени
TVM — “Вандализиран споменикот на Григор Прличев” — 12 August 2022. Портал ТВМ
NetPress — “Повторно е вандализиран виртуелниот споменик на Глигор Прличев во Охрид” — 26 September 2022. NetPress
