We Remember Stefanija Aleksova

“She had so much energy, so many dreams. It’s hard to believe she’s gone.” These words were spoken by her close friend and roommate, Iveta, illustrating the heartbreaking loss of Stefanija Aleksova, or Cece, as her friends called her.

 

Cece was one of the 59 victims of the fire on March 16 at the Club Pulse in Kochani, North Macedonia.

 

According to those who knew her, Cece was a kind soul with many talents. She had a passion for dancing, creating art, and looking out for others. Her friends said she could light up the room with her presence. “Every morning, I would see her on my way back from politics class. I would get a big warm hug and the loud 'Kako si?’ in Macedonian,” shared Alex, a friend of hers. “Those would be some of my favorite moments with her.”

 

Her friends said she had a way of bringing joy to those around her. “She was like the sun,” said her friend Sara as a small smile appeared on her face. “The sun is warm, the sun is shining, it gives so much color to everything around us, and she was that kind of person.”

 

Cece’s friends say that her presence was magical and her energy was contagious. “She could turn the most ordinary moment into something special,” said Iveta. “Even if we were just sitting at home, she would find a way to make it feel like an adventure.”

 

Dancing played a big part in Cece’s life and helped shape her as a person. With her actively taking part in the dancing events in her hometown, she spent hours rehearsing routines with friends, always trying to express herself through the movement. “Dancing was not just a hobby for her – it was a way to communicate, to feel alive,” shares Sara, with whom Cece shared a mutual passion for folklore dances.

 

But above all, Cece was known for her kindness and support for her loved ones. Through her friend’s eyes, she will be remembered as the kind of person who would drop everything if someone needed her.  “She had this way of making you feel like you matter. Even on her busiest days, she always had time for a kind word, a hug, or just a moment to stop and listen,” Iveta shared.

 

Her generosity was a trademark, whether she was volunteering for an event or helping a stranger. “She was generous with everything. Time, love, energy, money. She was just a giver and didn’t expect anything in return,” Sara recalled. “She believed in people, in their potential. She never let anyone feel alone.”

 

Cece was also a dreamer who wanted to experience new things, travel, and push herself to achieve more. “She had this fire inside her,” Iveta said. “She was going to change the world, in her own way.”

 

Cece’s death is a tragic loss not only for her family and friends but for those who had crossed paths with her. Her dreams and goals remain unfinished, serving as a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile human life is.  

 

While we mourn her death, her loved ones also celebrate the time they spent with her. Cece may not be with us any longer, but the bright light she left behind remains.

 

This article has been written by Borislava Mincheva, an AUBG student. It is part of the collaboration between AUBG Daily and the Newsroom course led by Prof. Laura Kelly.