SKOPJE, February 25, 2026 — A striking new visual and educational structure titled “The Pyramid of Hate Speech” has been unveiled at the square near “Kim” on Partizanski Odredi Boulevard to warn citizens about the dangerous escalation of intolerance in society. Standing 165 centimeters tall and crafted from wood, metal, and forex print, the installation serves as a physical representation of the logic behind gradual radicalization.
The artwork maps out five clearly defined levels, illustrating how seemingly “innocent” daily behaviors can eventually culminate in extreme atrocities.
The foundation of the pyramid identifies the starting point of hate as culturally accepted prejudices, stereotypes, and generalizations, including jokes at the expense of specific groups that are rarely questioned but serve to normalize discrimination. According to the project organizers, when these attitudes become integrated into everyday life, they evolve into open verbal hate speech, public insults, and online attacks. The third level of the structure highlights the concrete social consequences of this behavior, such as institutional marginalization, segregation, and social exclusion.
As the pyramid narrows toward the top, it demonstrates that if society continues to tolerate these earlier stages, the progression inevitably leads to physical violence, threats, and organized group attacks. The very peak of the installation represents the most extreme forms of escalation, including ethnic cleansing and genocide. The central message of the intervention is that violence never begins at the top but is instead born from the systematic toleration of the lower levels of the pyramid.
Organizers emphasize that recognizing and preventing hate must begin at the base, starting with our daily speech and the responsibility each individual holds within the community. Rather than being just a sculptural form, the pyramid is intended as a public call for critical thinking and active opposition to discrimination from its earliest appearances.
The installation measures 2 × 2 meters and is constructed from wood and metal elements. This action was prepared by the Center for Contemporary Arts Skopje as part of the project “Reporting Diversity Network 2.0 – The New Agenda.” The project is implemented by the Association for the Advancement of Journalistic Practices “Innovative Media Skopje”.
