It is more than clear that the namesakes Shuklev and Nikolov are becoming synonymous with traveling around the world in old-timers.
If last year’s self-organized adventure “Stojakovo-Nice” began as a fantasy venture that few believed in, and ended as a real triumph, anything can be expected from this year’s “Stojakovo-Beijing”. Everything leads us to think that this is just the beginning of a long odyssey that will bring new surprises every year. We hope for this because we need new pioneers who create the will and impetus for something greater than our everyday lives.
In fact, that’s how we feel as we indirectly participate through their Facebook fan page, saying to ourselves: “Here we are with you, we won’t leave you!”, that is, we want to be part of this genetic chain that stretches through space and time, that connects us to each other and that we inherit from the beginning with all the possible questions about our existence. In how many more ways can this world, this planet, this life be discovered? The Stojakovo tandem shows us that even in the techno-informatics 21st century, there are still undiscovered ways that represent a unique experience.
Often, out of habit, speed, and a series of obligations and worries, we forget what a journey is, or rather, walking towards a given goal. Wanting to evoke this feeling, Shuklev and Nikolov find a unique way that for both of them represents a connection with their ancestors. For them, the feeling of traveling in the way their own parents once did means awakening memories and returning to a reality where everything is a perfect, carefree childhood. And reality itself is a wonderful blend of dreams, desires, and wishes until it is distorted by the oblivion of childhood. Here, Shuklev and Nikolov manage to continue this memory, bring it closer, and make it more accessible to us. In the very choice of destination, vehicle, and way to realize the journey, a special love and dedication to their own profession is revealed, and the fact that chance is reduced to a minimum.
The desire to participate in the old-timer exhibition in Nice gives rise to the idea of doing it in a special way by arriving there with a vehicle that is more than a national pride, a Renault 4. Unfortunately, the search for a vehicle that would be suitable for the occasion becomes an impossible mission. Finally, after a long search in the village of Brajkovci, on the road to Valandovo, in the garage of Master Angel, they find the hidden pearl. The various negotiations have a happy ending where Master Angel himself hands over the vehicle intended for a much higher purpose into the hands of the two enthusiasts. 2 months of work followed and 4000 euros spent on restoring the vehicle by Master Vlado and his service team. And here the Renault 4 is ready for the first test drive, which is done on the Gevgelija-Tetovo route and back. After this, all doubts are dismissed and the trust and hope in the vehicle and the idea are complete.
The choice to attend such an event with a vehicle produced by the country itself is not accidental. The production of the Renault 4, which began in 1961 and lasted until 1994, covers several countries, including one of the former Yugoslav federations – Slovenia. It was born as an economical vehicle that should satisfy the needs of as many people as possible and that should function on various roads and in various conditions. In other words, it was a combination of a farm and city car that could be driven by both men and women. This was the first vehicle of the car company with front-wheel drive and special attention was paid to the depreciation. Although it did not attract attention with its poor design and rough bodywork, it immediately surprised with its comfort and reliability in driving. A great demand soon arose and it began to be mass-produced, and today it is one of the most popular and best-selling vehicles in the world. In 1978, after various evolutions, Renault was enriched with the R4 GTL model, the Shuklev and Nikolov model and the TL 850, which is a continuation of the series, with a Clèon-Fonte C1E engine of 1108 cm3 with 34 HP. Several aesthetic and practical changes also came, such as the movable rear windows that had been fixed until then. Few people know that before production began, the model underwent three years of testing by the Louis Buty team and, with 2 million kilometers traveled in various climatic conditions, reached all corners of the world. Here we see the deep knowledge of automotive history on the part of Shuklev and Nikolov, who decided to drive the vehicle to a place that was only 200 km. away from the place where it was first presented to the public 56 years ago. In doing so, they proved that quality and love transcend all time limits. Naturally, the enthusiasm of the audience there was immense, both for the pride of their product and for the courage of the two for such a feat in this day and age. Let’s note that in addition to various predictable problems, there are also unforeseen circumstances such as the collapse of part of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa, which caught them on the journey itself and forced them to make changes to the plan.
After the triumphant return and the welcome from fellow citizens, ambassadors and ministers and the well-deserved rest, in 2019 they are preparing for a new feat. This time they decide to follow in the footsteps of Mother Teresa “From Stojakovo to India”. Here, again, an unusual combination of things that do not seem a coincidence. This journey would represent a kind of pilgrimage, introducing us to a person from this region who has overcome everyday limitations. Part of our childhood are also French comedies with Inspector Krisho where we often see scenes of nuns in Renault 4. Perhaps Shuklev and Nikolov want to remind us again of the carefree past. Due to the unrest that broke out in the meantime between Pakistan and India, this project has been canceled for the time being. This does not discourage the passionate couple, but they quickly find a new destination – Beijing, or the Great Wall of China.
This huge construction, which according to new measurements is 8,853 km long. with varying heights, is a long series of walls in present-day China. Its construction began in 215 BC as a defense system against enemy attacks and lasted until the 17th century. Today it is one of the seven modern wonders of the world. Called by various names and built by various dynasties, it testifies to what a people can do when working as a community. Looking at the drawn trajectory of the journey and comparing it with the line of the Great Wall of China, the affinities cannot be avoided. In one of the statements of Shuklev and Nikolov, it is said that they pass through places where there are “ours”. Is this journey of theirs also an affirmation of our values even when we are outside our birthplace? Does this feat want to wake us, sleeping caterpillars, to create material to maintain the fabric called a flag? Or is it a reminder that the Gevgelija region also played its part in the history of silk?
However, Shuklev and Nikolov’s skill in combining past and present elements in a single journey constantly tickles our thinking. In them we perceive the romantic idea of discovering new worlds, new things, which reaches its culmination in the works of another Frenchman – Jules Verne, but without forgetting that we are also certain individuals born under a certain climate, no matter where we go. With their journey they not only discover but also reveal us as a people who should truly be proud of their contribution to the entire history of humanity.
The feat of Shuklev and Nikolov proves how an independent project can experience global success when it is started with love and dedication. If last year they laid the foundations of their idea, with this year’s journey they are creating history. We expect them to lead us on numerous adventures.
Gevgelija.Biz, under the slogan “When local is scarce”, proudly joins their idea, giving them full support.
Author V. Gjorgiev
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