by Bojan, age 8 from Skopje, North Macedonia, asks Santa about Christmas bulbs, Lake Ohrid, and the country’s 2019 name change.
Dear Santa, my name is Bojan, and I am eight years old. I live in Skopje, North Macedonia, where my baba says our country’s name changed not too long ago, after being called something slightly different for many years.
Dear Bojan, a country choosing to settle its own name is always a meaningful thing to witness, and I made sure my map was properly updated right away.
Santa, I have three questions.
Do you like Christmas bulbs? My baba has strands of colored ones that are older than my dad.
I love Christmas bulbs, Bojan, and strings that old carry a special kind of magic, decades of Christmases glowing in the very same glass. Your baba’s collection sounds like a true family treasure.
My teacher says North Macedonia has one of the oldest lakes in the entire world. Is that true?
It is true, Bojan, Lake Ohrid is considered one of the oldest lakes on the planet, home to species found almost nowhere else. I always enjoy that ancient, calm water on my way through your beautiful country.
My baba says our country officially became North Macedonia in 2019, after a long disagreement with a neighboring country was finally settled. Is that true?
It is true, Bojan, the country officially adopted the name North Macedonia in 2019, resolving a long standing disagreement with neighboring Greece. Patiently working through disagreements until everyone can move forward together is exactly the kind of grown-up kindness I hope every child learns eventually.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Bojan Stojanovski
Skopje, North Macedonia
P.S. Can you bring my baba some new bulbs to add to her old collection?
Consider it arranged, Bojan, a growing collection deserves fresh additions.
