On February 9th and 10th, a workshop on “Seismic isolation, research and its application” was held in the premises of the Institute for Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology – IZIIS. The workshop was part of the “IZIIS for SKOPJE” program to mark the 60th anniversary of the Skopje earthquake in 1963 and was supported by the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of North Macedonia. 

Experimental research and experiences from implemented seismic isolation systems were shared by representatives from IZIIS and the Japanese Society of Seismic Isolation (JSSI). We came back for a moment and recalled the first implemented base-isolated building system with rubber bearings in Europe, the example of the elementary school J. H. Pestalozzi in Skopje, and then to the numerous examples of seismic isolation and structural control that are almost everyday practice in modern construction in Japan. 

The Institute expresses hope that local experiences and knowledge, supported by Japanese contemporary practice, will contribute to a greater and wider implementation of this type of seismic protection not only in our country, but also in the region. Also, the Institute and the participants thank the Embassy of Japan in Republic of North Macedonia and the representatives of the Japanese Society of Seismic Isolation for their selfless support and sharing of the latest technologies and knowledge.