The Arch 'Macedonia', which depicts parts of Macedonian history and tradition, was formally promoted Friday in Skopje.

The project has been imagined as a symbol for marking the 20th anniversary of Macedonia's independence, Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said at the ceremony.

By presenting the history of Macedonia the Arch is expected to attract domestic population and all of those visiting the country, the PM said.

Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Mileska said the Arch reaffirmed "our motto that we understand the world solely as a field for cultural competition among nations."

"I wish for the Arch 'Macedonia' to become a monumental book of Macedonia's accomplishments, the place where, as great Goethe said, the art will be a mediator of everything that may not be expressed with words," Kanceska-Milevska said.

The arch is designed by Valentina Stevanovska,  who also put her signature on the monument "Warrior on a Horseback" at the Macedonian square.

The arch is part of the Ministry's project of erecting 35 sculptures in Skopje's downtown. The three willows in river Vardar will be unveiled by February, thus wrapping up the entire project.