Краток историско-географски осврт на градовите Охрид и Струга

A Brief Historical and Geographical Description of the Towns of Ohrid and Struga (Кратко историкогеографско описание на градоветѣ Охрид и Струга), work by Kuzman Shapkarev offers a detailed ethnographic, historical, and geographical portrait of the towns of Ohrid and Struga in the late 19th century, then under Ottoman rule. Shapkarev provides descriptions of the towns’ location, climate, natural surroundings, and architecture, as well as their economic life, crafts, and trade. His narrative blends geographic observation with historical memory, situating the towns in their broader Balkan context.

The book includes an overview of the population’s composition, traditions, and everyday customs, offering valuable insight into the life of the local Slavic population. Shapkarev records religious practices, local dialects, educational institutions, and the role of the church, while also preserving oral traditions and folklore. His account reflects both his patriotic interest in cultural preservation and his aim to educate readers about the heritage of his native region.

Beyond being a local history, the work serves as a cultural document of the Bulgarian National Revival era, reflecting the author’s Bulgarian self-identification. At the same time, in modern Macedonian historiography, the text is considered an important record of the Macedonian cultural and historical landscape, highlighting the distinct traditions of Ohrid and Struga. This dual legacy makes the book a significant resource for both Bulgarian and Macedonian cultural history.