It has been twenty years since the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia gained independence - and throughout the country, thousands are celebrating, but the festivities are stirring controversy at home and abroad.<br /><br />But Greece, which has always opposed the country's use of the name Macedonia, is now objecting to a $7 million statue of military conqueror Alexander the Great.<br /><br />It says its neighbour is forging history, by stealing Greek names and national heroes, while some citizens believe such extravagant gestures are better spent on helping the poor. <br /><br />Al Jazeera's Claudio Lavanga reports from Skopje.
