Karate Champ Pece Naumovski: Destination: Strumica a Force to Be Reckoned with Winter 2010 1 3Rd Annual United Macedonian Diaspora Global Conference

United Macedonian Diaspora Publication Volume VIII • Winter Edition - 2010 • www.umdiaspora.org

Direct Advocacy on Parliament Hill, Ottawa

Bringing A Name Is A Name to Chicago, Fort Wayne

Karate Champ Pece Naumovski: Destination: Strumica A Force To Be Reckoned With Winter 2010 1 3rd Annual United Macedonian Diaspora Global Conference

Celebrating Macedonia’s Independence – Shaping the Future June 23-25, 2011

Join us as we celebrate Macedonia in the heart of Washington, D.C. – the JW Marriott – blocks away from the White House, the National Mall, Congress, and all the wonderful monuments and museums. Bring your entire family and spend a few days sightseeing while celebrating our Macedonian heritage!

Program Includes: • Assessing Macedonia’s Progress – 20 Years Later • Recollection of Memories 1991-2010 • Panel on Macedonia’s Judiciary • Business Expo • Cultural Festivities, Art Exhibits, and Dancing • Luncheon with Keynote Speaker • UMD Board Elections • Networking and Intimate Gatherings • Receptions and Closing Gala • Congressional Advocacy

Registration Pricing:

Early Bird Registration Regular Registration Late Registration December 15, 2010 – February 15, 2011 February 16, 2011- April 30, 2011 May 1, 2011-June 22, 2011

UMD Non-Member $275 $325 $375

UMD Member $250 $300 $350

Students (under 21) $200 $250 $300

Hotel: The J.W. Marriott 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20004

To reserve a room, please call 506-474-2009 / 800-266-9432, or copy paste the following URL into your browser: https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb. do?mode=welcome_ei_new&eventID=3103004 Indicate that you are participating in the UMD Global Conference for the UMD room rate of $189/single/double.

For more information, call (202) 756-2244 or e-mail [email protected] IN THIS ISSUE

4 Letter from the President

5 Editorial Mancevski’s Blurred Lines between Fiction and Reality

7 A Name is A Name Brought to Chicago and Fort Wayne: UMD Appoints Indiana Representative

8 Obituary Mr. Van Petroff, (1923-2010) United Macedonian Diaspora 1101 Pennsylvania Ave NW, 6th Floor 9 UMD Canada Meets Prime Minister Harper Washington, D.C. 20004 Direct Advocacy on Parliament Hill Phone: (202) 756-2244 Fax: (202) 756-7323 10 Board Member Profile [email protected] Stojan Nikolov [email protected] http://www.umdiaspora.org 10 Dana Klein Linking Struga With Coral Gables, Florida Australia Office: PO Box 2153 11 Pece Naumovkski: Hawthorn, VIC 3122 Australia Karate Champion Takes On The World Phone: 0438 385 466 [email protected] 12 Greece Exploiting St. Cyril and Methodius for Political Aims Canada Office: Trajan Passois Speaks Out 3555 St. Clair Avenue East, Toronto, ON M1K 1L6, Canada 14 Ancient Traditions In Modern Culture Phone: 1-800-UMD-9583 Time-worn Traditions Live On [email protected] 16 Foreign Investments Declining, Reforms Needed Editor Europe’s Support For Greece Remains Solid Mark Branov [email protected] 17 Toronto’s 5th Annual Macedonian Film Festival Young Director Makes The Case For Macedonia’s Contributors Artisans Yana Branova; Aleksandar Donski; Dana Klein; Meto Koloski; Dame Krcoski; Nick 18 Philip V of Macedonia: Kuburovski; Aleksandar Metodijev; Aleks 1st and 2nd Roman-Macedonian Wars 214 – 179BCE Mitreski; Stojan Nikolov; Trajan Passois; Boris Patarov; Rafaël Primeau-Ferraro; 20 Early State Building in Macedonia Goran Stojanov; Slavica Taseva; C. Benja- The Beginning min Tracy; Maya Trendov 22 Profile: UMD Perth Layout and Design New Energy For Macedonia in Western Australia Cindy Armstrong 24 Little Caesar’s Tradition Continues Any opions or views expressed in articles The American Dream in Westfield, Indiana or other pieces appearing in UMD Voice are those of the author alone and are 25 Five Destinations in the Strumica Region That not necessarily those of UMD; the ap- Can’t Be Missed pearance of any such opinions or views in UMD Voice is not and should not be 28 Петте Неизбежни Дестинации Во Струмица considered to be an endorsement by or и Струмичко approval of the same by UMD.

Winter 2010 3 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Reader,

2010 is over in less than three weeks – where has the year gone? During the holi- day season, we have much to be thankful for – family, friends, health, happiness, love, and prosperity. We, at UMD, have a lot to be thankful for as well – our members, our donors, our readers, and our Founded in 2004, the United Macedo- friends – fellow Macedonians and friends nian Diaspora (UMD) is a leading inter- of Macedonia. Without your donations, national non-governmental organiza- UMD’s work could not have been possible tion addressing the interests and needs throughout this past year. of Macedonians and Macedonian communities throughout the world. Let me look back at 2010 and highlight for you some proud moments for our UMD’s purpose is to give Macedonians organization. a strong, consolidated voice aimed at: informing the public and government officials worldwide regrding issues af- • UMD organized the Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York, New Jersey, and Fort fecting Macedonia and Macedonians; Wayne premieres of the documentary A Name is A Name; furthering the educational advance- • In February, UMD conducted extensive advocacy work in Canberra, Australia edu- ment of Macedonians; advancing the cating Australian policymakers about Macedonian issues including meeting with social and economic development of the Speaker of Australia’s Parliament; Macedonians; promoting Macedonian • In April, UMD launched Los Angeles operations and bestowed upon world-renowned culture, history and language; and fos- pianist Simon Trpceski UMD’s Outstanding Achievement Award in the Arts; tering charitable activities in Macedo- • In June, we held our 2nd Annual UMD Global Conference in downtown Toronto, nia and in the Macedonian Diaspora. bringing together over 1,000 guests from 20 countries; UMD is a 501 (c)(3) charitable orga- • In August, we led a delegation of 18 senior Congressional staff members sponsored nization in the United States, and a by the Turkish Coalition of America to Macedonia – the largest staff delegation ever registered Canadian charity. to Macedonia; • In September, UMD questioned UN minority rights expert Gay McDougall during a Board/Officers hearing in the U.S. Congress; and Metodija A. Koloski - President • In November, UMD met with Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper bestowing Stojan Nikolov - UMD Voice Deve upon him UMD’s highest honor – the Goce Delchev Award; UMD also launched its lopment Director and Charman of Western Australian operations. the Board Aleksandar Mitreski - Vice President This is only a selection of UMD’s important work in 2010. More is included in this issue of UMD Voice magazine and you can always visit our website http://www.umdiaspora.org Michael A. Sarafin - Secretary for the most up-to-date information. Denis Manevski - Treasurer Ordan Andreevski - Director of Austra- I only want to touch on UMD’s Macedonia in NATO 2010 Campaign. Macedonia was lian Operations again denied entry into NATO, due to its southern neighbor’s ridiculous requests for Macedonia to change its name. However, UMD ensured further tangible support for Jim Daikos - Director of Canadian Macedonia, and again called upon the Macedonian government to cease “negotiations” Operations with Greece. For the first time in 20 years, 19 members of Congress and 4 Senators stood Aleksandra Trpkovska - Charitable up for Macedonia’s inherent sovereign right and urged the U.S. President to support Efforts Coordinator Macedonia. When UMD was founded in 2004, there were only 2-3 members of Con- Ivona Grimberg - Director, Economic gress and 2 Senators, which strongly supported Macedonia. In addition, UMD also gar- Development nered the support of Canadian members of Parliament, French members of Parliament, and the Croatian-American, Hungarian-American, and Turkish-American communities Goran Saveski - UMD Canada Liaison Officer for Macedonia’s NATO Membership. UMD spent most of September and October working on all these projects. Some may not realize this, but all this support for Macedonia is truly monumental for our community – it’s a first!

4 Winter 2010 UMD Voice magazine has become the voice of the worldwide Macedonian Diaspora community. Mark Branov, our editor, and his team have done a superb job once again – thank you! The professionalism and content are amazing – I am especially excited about the cover story about karate champion Pece Naumovski! Pece – you are a true Ambassador for Macedonia!

Last but not least, we have many projects planned for the New Year, including helping elementary school children in Macedonia, increasing our scholarship and educational programs, charitable activities and our signature event of the year the 3rd Annual UMD Global Conference in June at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. – Celebrating Macedonia’s Independence – Shaping the Fu- ture. Please consider making an end of the year tax-deductible donation to UMD; and those who are members, don’t forget to renew your membership by December 31st.

Season’s Greetings; Happy Hanukah; Merry Christmas, and Have a Wonderful and Joyful Happy New Year!

Yours Truly,

Metodija A. Koloski President

EDITORIAL Mancevski’s Blurred Lines between Fiction and Reality By Mark Branov

theater lovers. Also, I could recognize First, we get a glimpse into the lives of many familiar faces in the crowd, includ- nine-year old Macedonian girls, growing up ing Macedonian activists, politicians and in the shadows of Skopje’s socialist era resi- clergymen. dential towers. Two of the girls take it upon As in other works by the world-famous themselves to report а flasher to the local director, Mancevski pulls no punches with police station. The only problem is that Mothers, boldly taking aim at disturbing there was no flasher – or was there? In any themes other directors might prefer to avoid. case, the two girls certainly never saw him, Reminiscent in structure to his highly but the local police fall for their elaborate acclaimed film Before the Rain, Mothers tale, to the detriment of an innocent man. is three stories in one. The first is located Then, we hitch a ride with three young in the capital Skopje, the second in the filmmakers on a pilgrimage to Mariovo, a tiny ghost towns of the southern Mario- hauntingly beautiful region near Bitola. vo region, and the third in working-class Derelict villages dot the mountainside, Kicevo. The first two are fiction, the third and stepping into one is like stepping into a hard-hitting documentary, but together, a time machine. The filmmakers meetboth they form a delicate tapestry of the human of one town’s inhabitants – a Baba and a condition in contemporary Macedonia. Dedo. Though actually brother and sister, n September 12, 2010, I had the op- Each story stands on its own, and at the they haven’t spoken to each other in de- portunity to see Milco Mancevski’s same time, feeds off of the other stories for cades. The sincerity of Ana Stojanovska’s Olatest work - “Mothers” - at a special context and texture. “All three stories deal performance is captivating, and her char- screening of the Toronto International Film with the truth as seen in a broken mirror,” acter’s feminine connection with the el- Festival. The main hall of the brand-new Mancevski says, “We learn something, and derly Baba is portrayed beautifully, with Bell Lightbox Theatre was sold-out, buzz- then we learn what we know is not the Ratka Radmanovic, herself a living legend ing with Toronto’s legions of multicultural real truth.” of the Macedonian theatre. w

Winter 2010 5 The final part switches to documentary; overenthusiastic officers, and Dimitar Gj- shifts gears abruptly, and the nature of the a gritty, in-depth investigation into the origiveski’s Simon is obviously guilty until subject matter had a visceral impact on Butcher of Kicevo, a real life monster that proven innocent, and I could see the look this audience. The immense sense of loss mercilessly killed and humiliated three in- of recognition on the faces around me. expressed by the family of the victims was nocent women from 2005 to 2008, and In Mariovo, Ana marvels at Baba’s an- our loss, the tragedy for these Kicevcani terrorized an entire community in the cient wedding crown, and laments that was our tragedy. process. Mancevski displays admirable ob- there is no one teach her how to bake tra- For me, memorable moments included jectivity in tackling the immense profan- ditional bread, poignantly portraying the the agonized testimony of a ruddy-faced ity of these crimes, allowing the story to cultural dislocation between Macedonia’s Muslim man, who actually discovered the tell itself through the words of the people generations, and between urbanites and first victim’s body, only to find out later whose lives were forever altered. rural folk. When Baba sees Ana’s film on that he knew the woman well. In fact, she My experience of this film was powerfully a brand-new MacBook Pro, the time ma- used to feed him when he was a child, enhanced by the fact that I got the chance chine is put in reverse, and Baba has no equally alongside the Christian boys, who to witness it next to a cross-section of our reference point for the technological won- grew up together in streets of Kicevo. An- Macedonian community in Canada. der in her hands. But some things never other moment was the unabashed cheek In Skopje, the humor and naivete of change, like the breath-taking “inaet” of of Taneski’s defence lawyer, who argued the pony-tailed young girls is juxtaposed Dedo, something which is all too familiar. without blinking about how the suspect’s against the heavy-handed police work of In the Kicevo documentary, the film hair DNA could have possibly fallen on the body “from the wind.” The disgust that greeted his preposterous comment audibly rankled the room. Manchevski is quick to point out that: “Mothers is a film from Macedonia, not a film about Macedonia.” But, the cultural communion that takes place between a Macedonian audience and a brilliant Mace- donian film such as Mothers is tangible and important. Subtle nuances of Macedo- nian culture are skillfully hidden in each scene – some heartwarming, some humor- ous and others deeply tragic. Indeed, the nuances are hidden in plain sight, just like the banal antagonist of Kicevo hid himself in plain sight. Mancevski angrily rejects tired conventions and contrived imagery. He also relentlessly challenges us to examine and re-examine our own perceptions, which is the hallmark of a true artist.

6 Winter 2010 A Name is A Name Brought to Chicago and Fort Wayne: UMD Appoints Indiana Representative By Stojan Nikolov and Boris Patarov

he feature documentary A Name is a and the turnout was more than anyone Name is a classic ‘road film’, follow- had anticipated. T ing the motorcycle-riding narrator on In addition to remarks by the producer both the proverbial and literal roads of the Jason Miko and UMD President Metodija Republic of Macedonia. Over a period of A. Koloski, Macedonia’s Consul General seven months, he interviews many people Jovica Palashevski greeted the guests. – politicians, artists, farmers, clergy, his- Other guests included the Consul Gener- torians, fishermen, young people - from als of Ecuador, Nepal, Columbia, Austra- all corners of the country, about what it lia, Bosnia, Barbados, Guatemala, Ireland, means to be a Macedonian. And, ironical- Spain, Turkey, Grenada, South Africa, and ly, a film of this importance was actually the Dominican Republic – a little United UMD is grateful for their support created by non-Macedonians, such as the Nations in Chicago. Representatives of the of the premiere. director, Icelander Sigurjon Einarsson, and Offices of Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and On December 4th, close to 100 people the producer, American Jason Miko. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Delay attend- attended the Fort Wayne premiere of the Thousands have packed theaters to see ed, as well. documentary at the Indiana University/ the film all over the world, including plac- You could tell by the expression on the Purdue University campus. Fort Wayne is es like Sydney, Toronto, Washington, D.C., audience’s faces that everyone could easily home to one of the United States’ oldest Skopje, and New York City, and UMD relate with the people in the film; from the Macedonian-American communities, and wanted to continue bringing it to as many high school kids in the yard, all the way in the recent decade, much of the commu- people as possible, with showings in Chi- to the outspoken grandma, the unofficial nity’s vibrancy has been lost. It was UMD’s cago and in Fort Wayne, Indiana. hero of the film - ready to spank anyone goal to bring the movie to Fort Wayne, The November 12th premiere at the pres- who changes our name! People reacted in part to generate more engagement in tigious Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies with a rollercoaster of emotions. It was the Macedonian cultural activites. was a huge success for the Macedonian- fastest 50 minutes ever, followed by a spir- During the same evening, UMD Presi- American community in Chicago. There ited question and answer session. dent Koloski bestowed upon long-time were close to 400 people in attendance, The Chicago premiere could not have UMD member and supporter Argie N. Bel- from all walks of life and professions, and been possible without the generous sup- lio a Certificate of Appointment as the different nationalities. In discussions with port of the following sponsors: Boris Ni- Representative of the UMD Indiana region. several of the attendees, it was mentioned tchoff, MAK Trucking, Inc., Drs. Anastas Bellio and our members in Fort Wayne repeatedly to UMD that such Macedonian and Nada Mukoski and family, Alamo will work hard to carry on the 100 year events in downtown Chicago are rarely or- Truck Repair, Trajko Papuckoski – in old tradition of the Macedonian-American ganized. For many people, it was one of memory of his Baba Slavka Presilska, VIP community activisim in Indiana, and they the best manifestations with Macedonian International, Inc., Access Transport, Inc., have already begun preparing the next character ever to take place in Chicago, and Jerry and LuAnn Naumoff and family. event … stay tuned!

Winter 2010 7 Obituary: Mr. Van Petroff, (1923-2010) by Nick Kuburovski

an Petroff was 7 years old when he arrived in Canada from Bitola in 1930 Vand settled in St. Thomas, Ontario. Although Canada was suffering through the Great Depression, it seemed like heav- en compared to the dire conditions in the country he left behind, where a piece of bread with onions or a tomato was considered a good lunch. When he started school, he had trouble communicating, as he only spoke Mace- donian, and his schoolmates only spoke English, but he worked hard and learned quickly. Van left St. Thomas for the “Big City” of Toronto, where he graduated relatives. But, after four years, he found Van’s sports career, when he began to play from high school at Parkdale Collegiate, himself back in business when he acquired golf. Since that time, he participated in golf then studied Hotel, Restaurant and Bakery the Fiesta Inn Banquet Halls. tournaments around the world, in coun- Trade at what is now Ryerson University, In 1954, Van inaugurated The Macedo- tries including Spain, Portugal, Brazil and and graduated with honours in 1947. nian Open Golf Tournament. It is now one Greece, and at Pebble Beach in the United Van’s father opened their first restaurant of the longest running golf tournaments in States. He received many trophies for his in Toronto in 1942. A few years later, Van Ontario. For many years, it was a struggle achievements, though his most memorable volunteered for the Canadian Armed Forc- for the tournament to break even, so Van victories came from the tournament he or- es and was stationed at Camp Borden as a subsidized it in order to keep it running and ganized for more than half a century - The weapons instructor, attaining the rank of to maintain the high standards that the Macedonian Open. He enjoyed golfing well lance corporal. participants had come to expect. In 1993, into his 80s. From 1946 to 1951, Van experienced the he handed the tournament administration Van has always been supportive of those most difficult period in his life. For five dif- over to Canadian Macedonian Place, under in financial need, beginning with “In Me- ficult years, he worked from morning to the condition that a portion of the net prof- moriam donations” and continuing with night, to earn enough money to support its would go towards the costs of the Mace- significant donations to churches, and his family and save the life of his father, donian language course at the University of the Macedonian Language Program at the who had to spend a great deal of time in Toronto. Van was one of the primary sup- University of Toronto. the hospital, as there was no government porters of the Macedonian language course He has great empathy for those with assisted health care at that time. Van’s since its inception. health problems, especially young chil- work paid off, his father recovered and en- For 26 years, Van had been an active dren. In 1963, after a catastrophic earth- joyed a long life. member of the Board at C.M.P. and was at quake hit Skopje, Van worked tirelessly to From 1951 to 1980, Van expanded his the work site on a daily basis. He was Presi- raise funds to rebuild the city, sending fi- industrial catering company to a total of dent of C.M.P. during construction and the nancial assistance, medicine and clothing. 35 in-plant cafeterias and employed 400 official opening on June 17, 1979. The humanitarian efforts of Van have been food service staff who were responsible Van also made a significant contribution recognized by his fatherland, and in 1967, for preparing meals for 40,000 factory and to the building of St. Clement of Ohrid the University of Skopje awarded him a di- office workers across the greater Toronto Church in Toronto. He was one of five peo- ploma in honours for his contributions to area. He also expanded the business to in- ple listed on the charter by the province of the medical faculty. clude social catering, which involved the Ontario in 1962. Van was the chairperson The Macedonian community of Toronto preparation and service of food for wed- of executive board of the first church com- honours Van Petroff for his role as a great dings, banquets, funerals and other pri- mittee for three years. humanitarian and community leader. His vate and organized affairs. During his school days, Van played on dedication to the community and to his In 1980, Van sold the industrial catering football and basketball teams with great fellow man serves as an inspiration to all side of his business and sold the social ca- distinction. He also played on Macedonian of us. tering portion of the business seven years teams (St. George’s and St. Cyril & Methody) later. He retired and took the opportu- and Canadian Army basketball and baseball This text is re-printed with permission from nity to spend more time with friends and teams. In 1944, a new page was turned in Macedonian Life Magazine.

8 Winter 2010 Macedonia is the fourth largest contributor per capita to the ISAF Mission in Af- ghanistan, and is contributing more than many current NATO members (the fourth largest per capita contributor to ISAF). “UMD is grateful for Minister MacKay’s friendship and support of Macedonia’s NATO membership. By Minister MacKay finding time to meet with our delegation, it shows the strong interest in Macedonia’s and the region’s security and stability,” stated UMD Board Member Goran Saveski. “Canadian and Macedonian troops are fighting side-by-side in Afghanistan, and we hope that Canadian support for Mace- donia’s NATO membership will be instru- mental in making that happen.” Canada demonstrated a strong interest in Macedonia’s stability since the early days of Macedonia’s independence by UMD Days of Advocacy on Parliament sending peacekeeping troops. Canadian troops were stationed at the NATO logisti- Hill in Ottawa By Rafaël Primeau-Ferraro cal support center in Macedonia during the Kosovo war in 1999, and Canadian and n November 2-4, 2010, the United friend and advocate than Prime Minister Macedonian troops have cooperated close- Macedonian Diaspora made an offi- Harper. We were extremely honoured to ly in both training and field operations. Ocial visit to the Parliament of Canada have the opportunity to meet with him In addition to Prime Minister Harper in Ottawa to meet with members of the and discuss Canadian-Macedonian rela- and Minister MacKay, UMD’s delegation different political parties represented at tions. Goce Delchev and our forefathers, met with many members of the opposi- the House of Commons. UMD’s business who were true visionaries of their time, tion parties, which include the Liberal delegation and community leaders led fought for an independent and free Mace- Party, the New Democratic Party and the by President Metodija Koloski and Board donia. They would be pleased to see such Bloc Québécois. Among them were Hon. Member Goran Saveski, met with the distinguished international leaders as Rob Oliphant and Hon. Bryon Wilfert, Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime friends of Macedonia and the Macedonian two Liberal MPs that have a significant Minister of Canada, as well as 17 Members people.” stated UMD President Metodija number of Canadian citizens of Mace- of Parliament. The purpose of the meet- A. Koloski. donian descent in their Toronto ridings. ings were to advance Canada-Macedonia “The whole experience was humbling Receptive to UMD’s positions, Mr. Oliph- bilateral relations and to discuss Macedo- and a meeting of a lifetime,” said UMD ant, as Multiculturalism critic for the Of- nia’s aspirations to join NATO. delegate Elizabeth Naumovski, “(Dur- ficial Opposition, was particularly well UMD also took the opportunity to de- ing the UMD visit in Ottawa), I also met informed about Macedonian communi- liver to Prime Minister Harper its highest some really genuine, down to earth people ties in Canada and around the world. Mr. honour, the Goce Delchev Award, for his whom I know I will keep in touch with.” Wilfert expressed much interest in the honourable leadership in international af- UMD also had the chance to meet with issues concerning Macedonia at the up- fairs, and his recognition of Macedonia by the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of coming Lisbon Summit and hoped that her constitutional name, solidifying the National Defence. The talks were about the disagreement with Greece would stop excellent relationship between Canada advancing Canada-Macedonia bilateral re- blocking Macedonia’s aspirations of join- and Macedonia. lations and Macedonia’s aspirations to join ing more international organizations. The Goce Delchev Award is UMD’s high- NATO. UMD expressed its appreciation of After the meeting with UMD, he pub- est honour and the recipient of this award Minister MacKay’s support of Macedonia lished a press release about it on his own is selected based on the impact they have and reiterated its hope that NATO would website. UMD also met with Gilles Du- had on Macedonians around the world, offer Macedonia a formal invitation to ceppe, leader of the Bloc Québécois’s 50 their record of public service, their con- join the Alliance at the upcoming Lisbon members, the second opposition party in tribution to the advancement of justice, Summit on November 19-21, 2010. Canada’s Parliament. peace, democracy, personal freedom and During the conversation with Minis- UMD also had discussions with members economic opportunity. ter MacKay, UMD President, Metodija of the opposition parties on the possible “The Macedonian community world- Koloski, and new UMD Board Member creation of an inter-parliamentary group wide could not have asked for a better Goran Saveski pointed out the fact that on Canada-Macedonia relations. An w

Winter 2010 9 open letter was also discussed, in hopes Mr. Dorion and Mr. Dewar, and found both with early immigration to Canada starting that it may serve as consensus support from of them to be well-acquainted with major well over a century ago. Enriching Cana- Canada’s major parties in support of Mace- issues concerning Macedonia. “It was grati- da’s cultural mosaic with their hard work donia, including signatures from Minister fying to hear positive feedback from Mem- and cultural heritage, Canadian-Macedo- of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Lawrence Cannon, bers of Parliament of every Canadian party, nians have excelled in fields of arts, busi- of the Conservative Party, Foreign Affairs expressing their support to Macedonia and ness, community affairs, entertainment, Critic, Hon. Bob Rae of the Liberal Party, the Macedonian people”, said UMD Presi- television, fashion, film, political life, and Hon. Jean Dorion for the Bloc Québécois, dent Metodija Koloski. sports. As ambassadors for their home- and Hon. Paul Dewar for the New Demo- Canada is home to close to a quarter of a land, they continue to build the bridge cratic Party. The delegation also met with million Canadians of Macedonian descent, between Macedonia and Canada.

Board Member Profile – Stojan Nikolov

tojan Nikolov was born and raised in opment of new technologies to promote Strumica, Macedonia; he moved to UMD, such as Youtube and Facebook, and Sthe United States during high school he helps maintain the UMD website. as an exchange student. Nikolov holds a On July 27, 2010, the UMD Board of Bachelor of Science in Finance, a Masters Directors elected Stojan Nikolov as Chair- in Business Administration from Louisiana man. Nikolov takes over the role of Chair- Tech University, and is a Certified Employ- man from current UMD Vice President ee Benefits Specialist (CEBS). He currently Aleksandar Mitreski who served as Chair- works as a Project Manager/Consultant for man since July 2009. The Chairmanship an organization overseeing the electrical is a one-year position. demands for New England, and has a back- “It is an honor to be part of UMD and ground in business and financial analysis, its varied and far reaching efforts to pro- and project management and marketing. mote and protect Macedonian traditions and to insure that it remains a vital part of Nikolov has been a member of the UMD and culture,” stated Stojan Nikolov. “My the Macedonian diaspora for many years Board for the last two years serving as De- main goal as a Chairman is to strengthen to come.” velopment Director of UMD Voice maga- UMD through a focus on long term fund- To contact Stojan Nikolov, please e-mail zine. In addition, he oversees the devel- raising and membership development, him at [email protected]

Dana Klein: Linking Struga with Coral Gables

p Lena Gogovska, Board member of St. p Coral Gables International Committee monovska Momiroska - marketing manager, Dimitrija Macedonian Orthodox Church, Members: Steve Edelstein, Lourdes Cuzan, Zoran Strezoski - director of State Agency of Xhavier Beqiri -Vice Mayor in Struga, Mayor Art DeNunzio, Carolina Rendeiro, interpreter Support and promotion of Tourism of the of Coral Gables- Mayor Don Slesnick, Bash- Bojan Momiroski, Honorary Consul General Republic of Macedonija- National Agency, kim Kaba - local parliment, waste manage- Dana Klein, Vice-Mayor of Coral Gables Liljana Zaturoska - member of the State ment, Dragan Pacinovski – Active member William H. Kerdyk, Xhavier Beqiri -Vice Parliment of the Republik of Macedonija - of local St. Dimitrija Macedonian Orthodox Mayor in Struga, Polum Qura - member of National parliment, Bashkim Kaba - Struga Church the local parliment in Struga, Gordana Si- parliment, waste management

10 Winter 2010 Pece Naumovkski: Karate Champion Takes On The World By Mark Branov

arely does someone so young achieve well. One day, he dreams to pass on his nate that God helped me to win... my last such amazing success and world- knowledge to others and open his own ka- fight was one of the hardest and the best, Rwide notoriety as Pece Naumovski, rate club in Melbourne. because I had an excellent opponent.” Australia’s karate champion of Macedo- In a recent interview for the Herald Sun, Pece also has his eyes set on the 2012 nian heritage. At a mere 13-years-old, the trainer Jason Knight of the Go-Kan-Ryu Summer Olympics in London: “I think talented 8th grader at Thomastown Sec- Victoria stated: “We’ve got Pece training soon Australia will be able to elevate ka- ondary College in Melbourne has lit up and demonstrating his skills to about 38 rate into an Olympic sport and by then I the karate world. slightly younger kids in the art of karate.” will be 17 and able to compete,” Pece said. Taking his first tournament at 10-years- He continued: “Pece’s raw ability as a Should that come to pass, we know that old in Birmingham, U.K, Pece is already sportsman, compounded with his abil- Pece will represent his country proudly, a repeat Australian National Champion. ity to grasp the spiritual side of the sport, and that Macedonians around the world He has also been given the honor of rep- and to tap into the discipline needed to be will be supporting him as well. resenting his country abroad. At the 14th the best, makes him a natural role model Oceania Championship Tournament in and teacher.” Tahiti, he took the top prize in the 50kg Indeed, it would seem that Pece’s fierce boys “kumite”, which means he is the best discipline is the key to his success, lift- of the best in his region of the world. He ing him above those who rely on talent then defended his title at the next Oceania alone. He trains four hours a day, seven tournament in Fiji on December 3rd and days a week, and says: “When sent to rep- 4th, 2010, winning his division kumite resent your country, it means... you have and the team kumite, adding two more achieved good results. (In preparation for gold medals to the collection. Tahiti), I really prepared a lot, everyday An excellent student who enjoys read- with my trainer, until all my muscles hurt. ing, math and chemistry, this young There were even blisters on my feet, but Macedonian-Australian’s true passion is for I needed to be 100% prepared, because I the art of karate. He has already achieved set a goal for myself to be ten times better the grade of “Black Belt, 1st Dan”, and than my competitors... When I finished in has experience training his colleagues, as first place I was felt so happy and fortu-

Winter 2010 11 Greece Exploiting St. Cyril and Methodius for Political Aims By Trajan Passois

included the Municipality of Amyntaio originated, Greek authorities continue to (Sorovits), the Greek-government-spon- “coat” this part of Macedonian history, sored Western Macedonia University and as they did in past decades to the Cyril- Association of Environmental Protection lic paintings, using fraudulent colors. and Cultural Heritage. Whatever has some brightness from the It is true that the Saints have been com- past, must be claimed as “Greek and Greek memorated in Greece on May 11 on the alone”, and no other people have the right Gregorian calendar. However, until the to honor it. year 1991, and the resurgence of the Mace- The aforementioned conference was donian Question that accompanied the organized within the context of this his- newly independent Macedonian Republic, torical misrepresentation and political ex- Greece did not attribute any kind of spe- ploitation of the past. Sorovits (Amyntaio) cial honors to the two famous missionar- is located in an area where the cultural ies, even though they were born in Solun. heritage of Cyril and Methodius is still In fact, the Cyrillic script, created by alive. And yet, no natural heir of Cyril- St. Cyril, has been officially suppressed lic heritage was invited: not one scholar in Greece, as it is used in the Macedonian from the Republic of Macedonia, nor any language; the language into which St. Cyr- representatives of the Macedonian Ortho- il made the first translations of religious dox Church, and no one from the literary books. After the initial historical annexa- school in Ohrid which was founded by the tion of Macedonian territories by Greece disciples of Cyril and Methodius, Saints in 1913, icons with Cyrillic text found in Kliment and Naum. churches among the ethnic Macedonian villages of Aegean Macedonia were system- St. Cyril honored on Gothic cathedral in atically removed or destroyed by Greek au- Prague, Czech Republic thorities, while the corresponding murals were either covered or destroyed. These ts. Cyril and Methodius’s legacy con- acts of revisionist history were essential tinues to echo through the ages. Born for the Greek state to impose the doctrine Sin Solun (Salonika) in the 9th Cen- that the language of Macedonia is merely tury, the work of these Byzantine monks “a spoken dialect for household use, that has affected the history of all the peoples has no written form.” of South East Europe, and others beyond. However, in 1991, Greek authorities re- For instance, there has been a recent re- sponded to Macedonian independence vival of May 24 as a day of commemora- by suddenly remembering the missionar- tion of the Saints in Russia, in honor of ies, and they began to celebrate them and their vital contribution to Slavic literature show their work like never before. For in- and culture. In 1980, Pope John Paul II stance, in May 1993, the Ministry of Edu- proclaimed the brothers as “co-patrons of cation produced a widely distributed letter Europe”, along with Saint Benedict. with instructions on honoring May 11 as However, in Greece, this heritage has a feast day, “with church attendance of all been exploited in a political manner as Greek students” and “lectures about the well. In the town of Sorovits, Aegean life and work of Saints Cyril and Methodi- Macedonia, a conference was held earlier us“. In Solun, a church was built in record this year to discuss these Saints in the con- time to honor the saints as exclusively text of their role in “promoting the unity Greek heritage. between different peoples in South East Instead of honoring the Saints as they Europe.” However the title proved to be should be honored, by fostering their ironic, as the organizers of the conference cultural heritage in the place where they Ohrid, Macedonia

12 Winter 2010 Besides the predictable Greek-speakers invited, there also were some foreigners. Five of them were professors from Bul- garia: Kenanov Dimitahr, Todorov Todor, Sapundzieva Vanja, Miltenova Anisava, Popov Georgi, and two were professors from Serbia: Subotin - Golubovic Tatjana, Pirivatrić Srđan, and one was from Slovakia. In this conference, there was a memo- rial report, with photographs and archival material on “How the Greeks enlightened the Slavs: Cyril and Methodius, their mis- sionary work and its timeless continuity.“ It is essential that Cyril and Methodius are portayed as ethnic Greeks. Of course, this is a dubious claim and propaganda made for domestic consumption. No serious historian argues that anyone in 9th Century Salonika identified themselves as ethnic Greeks. In that time, the term was only used in religious context, and it meant It is an undisputed fact that the educated, the clergy, admin- believers of ancient religions, which were characterized by the Christian population istrators, merchants, spoke also the official Byzantine Greek, of Byzantium as pagan. When the Byzan- tines named somebody a “Greek”, they aside from their mother tongue. meant it as a pagan, and it had a deroga- tory meaning. popular theory that, in the 6th century, nic descendants, that is, the Macedonians Today, Bulgarians present them as Bul- Slavic peoples settled as farmers and ranch- of the region. If they do not promote the garians, because they consider as their co- ers in rural areas of Macedonia. Four centu- cultural heritage of the place where the nationals all Slavic-speaking populations ries later, when Cyril and Methodius lived, Saints were born, not only do they not from the Danube to the Aegean Sea. At that isn’t it possible that many of them got honor the legacy of Cyril and Methodius, time, Bulgarians lived in the area between educated, entered the state apparatus of but they also underestimate it, and at- the Danube and the Stara Planina moun- the multinational Eastern Roman Empire, tempt to exploit it for political aims. tain range, which is the current northern dealt as prosperous traders, and as such, half of Bulgaria. This does not exclude the couldn’t they have settled in Macedonia’s About the author: possibility that some Bulgarians have been capital city? Don’t you think the transla- Trajan Passois is a Macedonian who was installed in Solun. But the chroniclers of tion of church books must had been near born and raised in Pozar, Pella Prefecture. the time were talking about Slavs. The impossible for someone who did not know Since 1983, he has been struggling for the term Slav, of course, was a linguistic con- the local Macedonian language perfectly? right of re-patriation of Macedonian polit- cept, not a national identity. Like the word The only people, then, who knew the lan- ical refugees of the Greek Civil War 1946- Latin, it referred to a language, and not a guage best, were those to whom it was 1949, among whom there are also many national identity. their mother tongue. It is an undisputed relatives of his. In a recent Akritas blog post, a biogra- fact that the educated, the clergy, admin- In 1991, he pioneered the creation of phy of Methodius was willfully misquoted istrators, merchants, spoke also the official the “Macedonian Movement of Balkan in this regard. The phrase “Ye are therefore Byzantine Greek, aside from their mother Welfare”, and soon after the “Ouranio Salonikans and Salonikans speak often tongue. So, were not those Slavophones, Toxo” (Vinozhito) Party, of which he was Slavic”, replacing the word чисто (cisto), while also being Greek-speaking, not natu- a member of the Political Secratariat. which means clear or clean, with често, rally the best suited persons to create an He was the editor of the bilingual Mace- which means often, to diminish the num- alphabet for their native language? And fi- donian newspaper “Zora”. In 2007, he ed- bers of the Slav speakers. nally, since there is no evidence that they ited a book called History of the Macedo- If Salonikans of that time did not speak a were Greeks or Bulgarians, why are they nian Movement of Balkan Welfare, (MA. Slavonic language, who named the north claimed both by Greece and Bulgaria? KI.B.E-OURANIO TOXO), by which he wind which hits the city as the “Vardar”? If the organizers of the conference of makes an attempt to record another hid- Is it possible that the Slavs settled all over Amyndeo intended to highlight the cul- den aspect of Macedonian history in Egej. Macedonia and the Balkans, but did not tural heritage of Cyril and Methodius, the His book has been translated into Mace- settle in modern day Thessaloniki? first thing they should have done, would donian (Историја на Македонското Движење, For argument’s sake, let us accept the have been to invite their cultural and eth- 2007: Matica Editions)

Winter 2010 13 Ancient Traditions in the Modern Culture of Macedonia By Aleksandar Donski

here are a great many rituals, customs among the ancient Macedonians as early as women to sit by the Persians, and when and beliefs in Macedonian folklore the 6th century BC. the Persians got drunk and began teasing T of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries The renowned ancient historian Herodo- and offending the women, they paid for that have been preserved since the ancient tus supplied a description of this ancient this with their heads. We will return to period. By comparative analysis of ancient Macedonian custom. Describing the visit of this episode later. Macedonian rituals, customs, and beliefs Persian emissaries to the Macedonian Court The words of the Macedonian King found in the records of ancient historians in the period of King Amyntas, in the very Amyntas “We have no such custom as and respected contemporary researchers of last years of the 6th century BC, Herodotus this; but with us men and women are kept ancient Macedonia worldwide using the re- cited the words of this Macedonian king di- apart”, and later “And the women came at cords of folklorists from the 19th and 20th rectly, who clearly mentioned this custom: his call and took their seats in a row over centuries, we have discovered remarkable against the Persians” are telling. A number similarities in many rituals, customs, and “So the Persians, sent upon this errand, when of collectors and compilers of Macedonian beliefs, many of which I have described in they reached the court, and were brought into folklore in the 19th century supplied com- my book “Descendants of Alexander the the presence of Amyntas, required him to give pletely identical descriptions of this cus- Great.” These traditions certainly suggest earth and water to King Darius. And Amyntas tom. The Miladinov brothers, for example, that the modern Macedonians are indeed not only gave them what they asked, but also in the 19th century recorded the wedding descended from the ancient Macedonians invited them to come and feast with him; af- ceremonies in Kukush (a town in the south- of Alexander’s time. ter which he made ready the table with great ern part of Macedonia) and wrote a de- Here we will not go into their genesis in magnificence, and entertained the Persians in scription published in their “Anthology of any depth, i.e. whether these were inde- right friendly fashion. Now when the meal was Folk Songs, Wedding Customs in Kukush”: pendently ancient Macedonian customs or over, and they were all set to the drinking, the perhaps customs inherited by the ancient Persians said: ‘Dear Macedonian, we Persians “Following their arrival at the bride’s home, the Macedonians from some other cultures, have the custom that, when we make a great men sit on one side, and the women stand up since this can not be practically proven feast, we bring with us to the table our wives on the other.” with any great degree of certainty, despite and concubines, and have them sit beside us. the fact that ancient sources were quite Now then, as thou hast received us so kindly, The renowned 19th century collector of clear that some rituals and beliefs were of and feasted us so handsomely, and given more- Macedonian folklore Stefan Verkovich genuine Macedonian origin. More impor- over earth and water to King Darius, do also wrote the following concerning wedding tant for the topic of our discussion is how after our custom in this matter…’ ” customs in the vicinity of the Macedonian these ancient Macedonian customs, rituals, towns of Seres and Nevrokop, in his serial and beliefs reached the Macedonian people Then, Amyntas answered: “Macedonian Folklore 5”: of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. “‘O, Persians! We have no such custom as this; In the interest of space we will examine but with us men and women are kept apart. “When they enter the home of the bride, the only one of the many such traditions, and Nevertheless, since you, who are our lords, wish father of the bridegroom and the men go into in future editions, we will present others. it, this also shall be granted to you.’ When one room, and the women in another room The custom of men and women sitting Amyntas had thus spoken, he bade some go where the bride and the girls are also.” separately during celebrations in the past is and fetch the women. And the women came well known. It is still preserved and prac- at his call and took their seats in a row over The compiler of Macedonian folklore Kuz- ticed today in some Macedonian villages. against the Persians. Then, when the Persians man Shapkarev also mentioned this cus- Many in Macedonia incorrectly consider saw that the women were fair and comely, they tom in his descriptions of the 19th century this custom to be inherited from the Turks, spoke again to Amyntas and said, that what wedding customs from Ohrid, Struga and i.e. from the period of their five-century had been done was not wise; for it would have Kukush. But, weddings were not the only long rule over Macedonia. This belief is been better for the women not to have come at time when this ancient Macedonian cus- based on conceptions of Ottoman atti- all, than to come in this way, and not sit by tom was practiced by the Macedonians of tudes towards women in that era. However, their sides, but to remain opposite them, the the 19th century. It also applied to other such an interpretation of the origin of this torment of their eyes.” formal group meals, especially those occa- custom does not correspond to the facts. sions attended by a large number of mem- Separate seating of men and women during The outcome of this interesting story is bers of both sexes. celebrations or ceremonies is clearly found that Amyntas allowed the Macedonian Concerning Macedonian customs dur-

14 Winter 2010 ing formal meals from southwestern Mace- from the men. Meanwhile, the Miladinov donia, where he recorded these customs. donia, Verkovich wrote: brothers described this identical custom, Below is Verkovich’s description of the practiced during weddings in the Macedo- national consciousness of the Pulivakovs, “At the upper end of the table, the grandfather, nian town of Kukush. from approximately 1870: the oldest in the family, sits in the first posi- In the account by Verkovich of a formal tion, surrounded on both sides by members of dinner in southwestern Macedonia, men “According to a narrative passed down through the male gender; the grandmother sits at the and women were to dine in the same room, generations in the Pulivakov clan, they are pure other end of the table, surrounded by members and they sat separately and across from each Macedonians, descendants of Alexander the of the female gender.” other, just as ancient Macedonian men and Great. Those known as “lower plainsmen”, women sat, according to Herodotus. The especially those living near Pazar, are proud We see here a totally identical situation as total correspondence of this Macedonian of the old capital, i.e. the city of Pella, whose that described by Herodotus. Called by their custom from ancient times until recently is remnants consist of one tower and a huge rock, king, the ancient Macedonian women en- obvious, and is still practiced in some vil- five arshins tall.” tered the room and in accordance with their lages in Macedonia today, according to per- upbringing, i.e. the only course of action they sonal testimonies by participants in such It is no coincidence that this ancient Mace- knew for such situations. They sat opposite weddings and celebrations. donian custom was preserved for over to the Persians, i.e. opposite the men. So, in Another intriguing piece of evidence 25 centuries in Macedonia, particularly ancient Macedonian celebrations, women that this custom, practiced by Macedo- in those parts of Macedonia where the were usually seated in separate rooms from nians from the 19th century, is a link to population maintained their Macedonian the men. When in the same room, they sat the ancient Macedonians, is an interesting consciousness, despite constant foreign across from the men, so that even then they testimonial by the recorder of the custom pressures. This custom is present among were distanced from them. himself, Stefan Verkovich. He asserted that other ancient peoples as well, such as the Descriptions by Verkovich of the wed- the majority of the Macedonians from ancient Persians. It can be assumed that ding customs in the Macedonian towns southwestern Macedonia belonged to the neighboring peoples adopted this custom of Seres and Nevrokop reveal the same: Pulivakov clan. According to Verkovich, from the ancient Macedonians, as the the men entered one room, and women this extended family included a consid- earliest reference to this custom found in entered another. During their stay in the erable part of the population of several narrative sources determined it to be an an- same room women were seated across Macedonian towns in southwestern Mace- cient Macedonian custom.

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We wish everyone a Happy Holidays! Summer/Fall 201015 Foreign Investments Declining, Reforms Needed, and Europe’s Support for Greece in the Name Dispute Remains Solid By Aleksandar Metodijev

criminal structures. Officers from those In a recent interview, an analyst from three firms that we had invested in got to- the European Policy Center, Rosa Balfour, gether with lawyers, brokerage houses and pointed out that when neighbors block other institutions, and produced falsified neighbors due to bilateral problems, it poses letters of attorney, saying that we allegedly a big challenge for the EU: “…(that behav- have given them the right to sell our stocks ior) can undermine EU credibility, because and to keep the money for themselves.” of the EU’s inability to do anything about The case of those brothers is in front of those problems so far. But, also, it can un- the Macedonian courts. But, trust in this dermine domestic stability and inter-ethnic institution appears to be very low. In fact, relations, as in the case of Macedonia.” the judicial system is one of the least trust- Meanwhile, Invest Macedonia, the pri- ed institutions in the country, according mary governmental institution support- to a Balkan Monitor survey that was pub- ing foreign investment in Macedonia, lished in Brussels in November. Only 31% promotes features like a well-educated of Macedonians and 20% of Macedonian workforce, that the country is at the cross- Albanians had faith in the justice system. roads of South Eastern Europe, that Mace- hile the Macedonian government Other bad news from the survey includ- donia is a tax haven in Europe, or that has spent hundreds of thousands of ed: More than two-thirds (70%-74%) saw there is an opportunity to register a busi- W euros on promotional campaigns high-level corruption as pervasive in both nesses within 4 hours. Meanwhile, gov- such as “Invest in Macedonia” and “Mace- government and the business world, the ernmental officials are pointing out that donia Timeless”, an EU Progress Report in people in Macedonia are the least satis- the lack of investments is partially due to November pointed out an annual drop in fied people with their lives in general in the worldwide economic crisis. foreign investment of nearly 20%. A few the Western Balkan region, and 72% of weeks later, the president of International respondents stating that they could only Council of Investors in Macedonia, Colin manage on their household’s income Jaffray, said that he is not expecting any “with difficulty” or “with great difficulty.” concrete investments in next three years. That is why 19% of the people surveyed The European Commission Report would like to emigrate to Germany, 16% harshly criticized weaknesses in the rule to USA, 8% to Italy and an equal 7% to of law, slow procedures, insufficient re- Austria or Canada. sources, unreliable contract enforcement According to the Minister for Labor and and perceived corruption. Also, the report Social Policy, Dzelal Bajrami, the com- claimed that millions of euros spent on monly shown statistic of 330,000 unem- export promotions lead to “little tangible ployed people in Macedonia, or 32.1% of results.” Meanwhile, the unemployment the population, is unrealistic, because the rate remains high. vast majority of those people work in the One recent example of corruption was grey economy. But despite high employ- reported by Alfa TV in Skopje: Mite and ment, a judiciary that is viewed with suspi- Vane Bojchevi, brothers who live and work cion, and perceived corruption throughout in USA, wanted to start a business in Mace- the country, another key issue is the lack of donia and to invest the money they had Euro-Atlantic integration. EU integration earned in the States. The brothers ended has been stalled for five years, and NATO up buying stocks, but the property the membership has been stalled for two years, brothers had in Macedonia was stolen, us- by Greece. ing false documentation and letters of at- Foreign investors want to invest their torney. In his statement for Alfa TV, one of capital in a stable country, with institutions the brothers said: “We came like patriots that will not jeopardize their businesses, with goodwill, to invest in our own coun- and the Greek veto does nothing to help try, but we were robbed by well-known this situation.

16 Winter 2010 Toronto’s Fifth Annual Macedonian Film Festival Does Not Disappoint By Maya Trendov

The opening shot of the film portrays ter which gives us a prelude to the dark, a church literally sinking into the middle grey, bleak, dismal and grim journey that of a lake; the rain and the flooding of the lies before us. The obstacles that these art- village a metaphor for the incredible grief ists and artisans face are substantial: they of the grandmother, and her isolated exis- are charged absurd amounts of money for tence. She prays for the health of her fam- electricity; they are unfairly taxed; they ily individually, by lighting and candle for are at times isolated in remote areas and each of them in the church, and she cleans their work is not properly brought to mar- her husband’s grave with water, and leaves ket in the urban and tourist centres of Sko- offerings of food and drink for his soul. pje and Ohrid, where foreigners would get Then we see her at home on the telephone a chance to buy it, since the cost of pro- with one of her children inquiring about ducing it is higher than most Macedonian Films reviewed: the wellbeing of her grandchildren and citizens can afford. In addition to a total • Voda (Water), 2007, Drama/Short, Di- racked with the pain and sadness of that lack of support from the government, they rected by Gabriela Ilijeska separation. She wonders if she will get to face the larger struggle of competing in a • Kaleidoscope, 2009, Documentary/ see them before she dies. global market, where goods like pottery Ethnographic film, Directed by Sandra Created in memory of their grandmoth- can be mass produced in China for a very Ristovska er, the family that produced, wrote and low cost. directed the film have not only given us In addition to the global market factors, s a diehard supporter of the MFF, I a moving tribute to the life of their own the artists interviewed also talked about showed up once again to get my shot grandmother, but they have also given the drop of support for art education in A of contemporary Macedonian artistic us a glimpse into the lives of the elders Macedonia and a lack of appreciation and expression through film. Though I haven’t of the families who get left behind when support of the arts in general contributing seen all the films that have been featured, younger generations emigrate away from to the present state of affairs. I have noticed a pattern emerge over the their homeland. Voda is a gem of a film Many of the textile factories in Macedo- years that would describe much of the work that packs in the maximum amount of nia have been closed and only a handful of coming our way from the old country: ev- emotion and angst possible within its brief weavers remain, those who choose to stay erything from bleak, dark, dismal, grim, time on screen, and it was a privilege to true to their craft against the odds, fu- w heart-wrenching and haunting to down- view it. right traumatic, though never without re- deeming qualities for the film goer. Kaleidoscope instantly caught my attention because I have a soft spot in my heart for artisans and craftspeople who are trying to survive and preserve ancient art forms. They universally face incredible obstacles trying to do that vital task in today’s globalized market of economic homog- enization and mass production, and its resultant eradication of cultural diversity. Informative and political, the film takes us on a journey through the back roads of Macedonia as well as the urban centers, to uncover the artisans and craftspeople: Voda is a 10-minute short that is beauti- weavers, potters, sculptors and textile art- fully crafted, haunting and poetic in its ists, who are rapidly dwindling in num- depiction of the life of an elderly Macedo- bers, as they try to preserve ancient Mace- nian widow, left behind in a dilapidated donian craft traditions and eke out a living Macedonian village, whose family has for themselves at the same time. emigrated to somewhere in the Diaspora Similar to Voda, the opening shot of the in search of a better life. film is a bucket overflowing with rainwa-

Winter 2010 17 elled by their passion for their work. been given by his forefathers. pression of our individual cultural identity. The potter interviewed talked about Often times a culture doesn’t recognize Without artistic expression, a culture will how the craft of pottery had been passed the value of their own artists and tradi- disappear without a trace into the vacuum down to him through his father and fore- tions until those traditions are recognized of global economic monoculture. fathers going back 160 years. He expressed by foreigners. Case in point, a textile de- The director of this film, Sandra Ris- envy towards the Italian ceramicists who signer was inspired by an American buyer tovska, is clearly a bright young star on get state support to have electric kilns and to create kilim (tapestry-woven carpet) de- the horizon of Macedonian filmmaking. high quality glazes, that allow them to signs, that draw upon common Macedo- She knows how use her abilities to make export their work and be competitive in nian folkloric patterns and motifs. These a political impact. Despite the bleakness the world marketplace. An electric kiln in patterns are found not only in traditional of the situation for struggling Macedonian Macedonia costs the same as a car, and a kilim design, but also found in embroidery artists and artisans today, Kaleidoscope is a consumerist society makes us dependant and other textile design. And ironically, it journey worth taking as a film goer, and as on expensive things for us to keep up with was the University of Kansas that funded a Macedonian that is concerned with the current technologies and world markets. its production. preservation of our cultural heritage. On the other hand, what the rest of the The main message of the film is that to world is rapidly losing is the technologi- build a future, we must not forsake the cal skill and ability to fire in a wood burn- past. One way to preserve a culture is to ing kiln, which is a gift that this potter has preserve our art forms, which are an ex- Philip V of Macedonia: 1st and 2nd Roman-Macedonian Wars 214 – 179BCE By C. Benjamin Tracy, B.A., English and Latin, M.S. Ed.

the last day of the siege of Abydus. The ing and began gazing eastward, across the siege of Abydus of 200 BCE had been one Adriatic towards Macedonia, and the Hel- of the final battles of a series of conquests lenic peninsula, as well. It offered duplici- made by King Philip V around the Aegean. tous alliances to the Aetolian League, sev- Philip had spurred a war with Rome when eral Hellenic city-states, Rhodes and King he attempted to displace Roman influence Attalus of Pergamum, so as to distract and along the eastern shore of the Adriatic, counteract King Philip, who was becom- forming alliances and lending patronage ing the main impediment to their east- to certain island and coastal provinces. ward expansion. Fourteen years earlier, Rome had accused According to the Hellenistic historian Philip of subversive activity, and both the Polybius, it was on June 22nd of 217 BCE, Senate and the People of Rome voted in- during the Nemean Festival, when a twen- “I, however,” said Philip, “would first tell you dictio belli, declaring war upon Macedonia ty-one year old Macedonian king, Philip V, [Romans] to remember [our] treaties, and keep and its allies Illyria, Epirus and others. received news from a courier about a dev- peace with me. If, on the contrary, you attack The Roman historian Livy chronicles astating Roman defeat by the Carthagin- me in war, it is likewise for me to make you in fourteen books (Livy, Ab Urbe Condita ian general, Hannibal, at Lake Trasimene realize and feel the spirit and the royal power 31 – 45) the period of sixty-six years of (Histories 5.101). Young Philip had already and name of the Macedonians who are by martial activities between Rome and the discerned the impending threat of Rome no means less noble than that of a Roman.” last Macedonian kings of the Antigonid when he had ascended the throne four (Livy, Ab Urbe Condita 31.18) Dynasty. He illustrates in vivid details the years earlier. But now, he was encouraged battles, assemblies, and orations. A young by this news, and as he held the letter, the hese were the words of King Philip ambitious Rome, having suffered losses Macedonian ancestral spirits within him V of Macedonia in 200 BCE to the in its preliminary battles against Hamil- stirred with Promethean courage and com- T young Roman legate, M. Aemilius car and Hannibal of Carthage, yearned to pulsion, to sustain his nation’s long with- Lepidus. It was referring to Macedonia’s expand, unyielding in its desire to control standing sovereignty and glory. defense to the provocation of Rome on the Mediterranean. Rome was strengthen- Philip showed the letter to his royal

18 Winter 2010 advisor, the Illyrian Demetrius of Pharos, who enjoined him presently to say nothing. Demetrius was a “Client King” to Rome who had recently sought asylum in Philip’s court after Rome expelled him after the Second Illyrian War 217 BCE. Dem- etrius inspired Philip to launch a martial enterprise to protect Macedonia and her allies against Rome, a never-before-seen force. Polybius writes of Demetrius’ words to Philip: “For Hellas is already entirely obedient to you, and will remain so: the Achaeans, from genuine affection; the Aetolians, from the terror which their di- sasters in the present war have inspired. Italy, and your crossing into it, is the first step in the acquisition of universal empire, to which no one has a better claim than yourself. And now is the moment to act when the Romans have suffered a reverse.” Thus began the first act in the theater of war between Macedonia and Rome. Initially, Philip attempted to hail an alliance with Hannibal, however, Roman spies had intercepted the letter, and com- munication was disconnected. This did not intimidate the young Macedonian The arrangement fortified relations between Rome and king. In his Parallel Lives: Aemilius Paulus Hellas, increasing Roman influence within the peninsula, and 8.4, Plutarch states that: “… (Philip) flourished in the qualities which most distin- so deepening the resentment between Rome and Macedonia. guish kings, and led men to believe that he would restore Macedonia to her ancient Philip: an alliance with the old enemies reaching as far north as Thrace and east to- dignity, and that he, and he alone, would of Philip, the Aetolian League of Hellas, wards Rhodes and Pergamum. By 201 BCE, check the power of Rome, which already joined by Attalus of Pergamum on the Asia Philip had disturbed Rome’s confidence extended over all the world.” It was an an- Minor coast. Indeed it was temporary, for and incited Hellenic hatred. The Assembly cient game of chess, played between the Philip maintained his pace, and invaded of Athens declared Philip an anathema, new, innovative army of Latins approach- the Aeotlians, the latter suing for peace. that the people and priests should “heap ing from the West, and the ancient Mace- Philip gained control of Hellas. execrations on Philip, his family and his donian kingdom of Philip II and Alexan- Meanwhile, Rome was exhausted. An realm, his forces on land and sea, and the der the Great in the northeast. Philip V invasion by the Carthaginian Publius Cor- whole race and name of the Macedonians harnessed his wisdom and prowess to keep nelius Scipio (Second Punic War 205BCE) … whereas if anyone counter his disgrace, in check the Roman military machine for led the Romans seek diplomatic relations the killing of such a person would be law- the next thirty-five years. with Philip. Macedonia and Rome nego- ful homicide … all decrees formerly passed Well aware of Hannibal’s destructive im- tiated peace, the terms allowing Philip to against the Pisistratidae should be ob- pact upon both the Roman army in Italy maintain his sovereignty over his own ter- served in regard to Philip.” (Livy, Ab Urbe and Rome’s naval resources, Philip seized ritories and also Illyria, with open access to Condita 31.44). the opportunity and campaigned in Illy- the Adriatic, whereas the Hellenic penin- A diplomatic mission from Pergamum, ria. He predicted the Roman praetor M. sula and islands were to remain as Roman Rhodes and Athens arrived in Rome, ap- Valerius Laevinus and his fleet of 50 ships protectorates. Nevertheless, the arrange- pealing for their intervention to secure to be unable to secure Rome’s coastal in- ment fortified relations between Rome and their protectorate status and to liberate terests beyond defensive naval maneuvers. Hellas, increasing Roman influence within them from Macedonian dominance. Ro- Consequently, Philip marched north and the peninsula, and so deepening the resent- man ambassadors sent to Philip argued that captured cities. Laevinus was immobilized ment between Rome and Macedonia. they were intervening to protect the liberty and could only exercise preventive mea- While Rome continued its war with of the Hellenes. Philip dismissed their argu- sures against Carthaginian reinforcements Carthage (Battle of Zama, 202 BCE), Philip ment, exposing their true motive: imperial- to Philip. Rome executed a swift but tem- pressed hard against the Roman protec- ism. So began the second act in the theater porary buffer between themselves and torates and regained territories in Hellas, of war between Macedonia and Rome.

Winter 2010 19 Early State-Building Efforts in Modern Macedonia: The Beginning By Goran Stojanov

he Referendum of September 1991 and the Constitution that was adopted few T months later, arguably, were the first state building institutions of the fully independent Macedonian state, though an already existing Macedonian Government, that itself dated back to the end of WWII, carried out these developments. However, the actual beginnings of our statehood date back to a much earlier period. The modern Macedonian state can be dated back to the ASNOM National Assem- bly of August 2, 1944, and its inspiration can be dated back to the short-lived Ilinden Krushevo Republic of 1903. Nonetheless, the first Macedonian Assembly actually oc- curred in 1880, twenty-three years prior to plement Article 23 of the Congress of Ber- Congress of Berlin, 1878 the Ilinden Uprising. This event must be lin (1878) agreement, the major provision seen as the initial step and historical begin- of which was the establishment of Mace- eastern and south-eastern Macedonia and ning of the modern Macedonian State. donia as an autonomous province within assuming the role of a Macedonian Army. The first National Assembly of Macedo- the Ottoman state. At the end of the ses- Thus, on June 29th, the Pirin mountain nia took place on May 21, 1880, at Gremen sion, on June 2, the National Assembly of headquarters of the Macedonian Army is- Teke, Ostrovo, an area halfway between Macedonia unanimously decided to de- sued the following proclamation, a Mani- Lerin and Voden1. Thirty-two representa- mand from the Ottoman state and Great festo4, starting with the words: “Macedo- tives from all over Macedonia were pres- Powers prompt implementation of the Ar- nian Brothers, for five hundred years, dark ent including, in addition, representatives ticle 23a. The delegates also elected a Provi- and black clouds have covered the whole from some other ethnic groups: Albanians, sional Government named “Unity” as an Macedonian people and their country. We, Vlachs, Greeks and Turks. executive and operational body. It would the wretched slaves of the Ottomans, can The sessions of the assembly went-on for undertake all necessary steps in order to no longer endure all the gruesome terrible eleven days focusing on the failure to im- achieve the “national cause: creation of screaming of our raped mothers and sisters, a Macedonian state.” It was decided that of children torn away from the bosoms they would first use legal means to demand of their mothers. The knife has reached the right to establish an autonomous state the bone! No one listens to our screams within the Ottoman Empire, and for that any more. Christian Europe handed over state to be recognized by the Great powers our suffering people to the arbitrariness as already sanctioned by the Berlin Agree- of Turkish religious fanaticism. The last ment. If the Ottoman government would hope, centered on the article 23 of the Ber- deny the fulfillment of the Agreement, lin agreement, collapsed. There is nothing or if the Great powers did not force that else left except to take up the arms: ‘Free- fulfillment, “the Provisional Government dom or Death for Macedonia.’” will call the Macedonian nation to arms, The Manifesto continues to warn: “Cou- under the banner: Macedonia for Macedo- rageous Macedonian sons, our neighbors nians, to restore the ancient Macedonia.”3 long to grab Macedonia for themselves, to The Provisional Government at the same tear it apart. Let us come together under our time swiftly established relations with the flag and remain only Macedonians, for only Headquarters of the Macedonian armed united as brothers can we free ourselves Ostrovo Lake, Aegean Macedonia insurgents, already active for 18 months in from despair under Turkish rule and remain

20 Winter 2010 ourselves on our land. Close your ranks and manity and Asia. And now our fatherland, await the call for our general Macedonian so glorious in the past, is on the verge of uprising. With gun on shoulder and sword destruction, thanks to our mistakes and in hand, join our Macedonian army in the carelessness. Foreign and suspicious na- fight against the savage merciless pagans. tions want to conquer our homeland and Chase away all those who have joined with destroy our nation, which, shining with foreign interests and preach ‘the sword does such a light, will never be destroyed. Our not cut the humble head.’ Respond: gun on mother Macedonia became now as a wid- gun, knife on knife!” ow, lonely and deserted by her sons. She These words, written 32 years prior to the does not fly the banner of the victorious partition of Macedonia by Serbia, Greece Macedonian army,” and goes on to con- and Bulgaria in the Treaty of Bucharest of clude: “Macedonians, when you succeed 1913, clearly demonstrate that our ances- victoriously, drive away the killers from tors had a clear perspective of the external this land, who fly the banner of discord political and internal military situation in and sow perilous ideas, dividing you, my Macedonia, and of what steps needed to children, into countless nations. And so, be taken to achieve autonomy. These mo- united under the banner of Macedonia, mentous statements also speak to a quite as one nation, rise high that glorious ban- clear awareness of the propaganda war ner and prepare to write single-mindedly that was waged then, much like it is to- on it: “Long live the Macedonian nation! day, against the Macedonian people in ill- Long live Macedonia!” disguised efforts to discourage them away The Macedonian National Assembly from their own native drive to autonomy Manifesto was submitted to all diplomatic and the basic human right to form their representatives in Solun, Bitola and Istan- own nation state. bul6. During the next year, in 1882, a group The Provisional Government, in addi- of diplomats, in fact, did start negotia- tion, took steps to establish relations with tions with the Sultan, to convince him to References the diplomatic missions of the Great Pow- give Macedonia autonomy. However, the 1. Macedonia and the Macedonian peo- ers in Solun and Bitola. They submitted Bulgarian annexation of Eastern Rumelia ple - Blaze Ristovski, Skopje 1984, sec- several proposals for reforms, and finally, in 1885, in violation of the Berlin Agree- tion: The Development and Affirma- in Kjustendil, on March 23, 1881, they ment, was exactly what the Sultan needed tion of Macedonian National Thought proclaimed their own Manifesto,5 with the as an excuse to avoid the full implemen- from Kresna to Ilinden (1878-1903) words: “Macedonians, Our dear fatherland tation of the agreement, postponing the 2. †Kiril Patriarh Bьlgarski, Bьlgarskata Macedonia was once one of the most glori- Macedonian autonomy. ekzarhija v Odrinsko i Makedonija sled ous countries. A Macedonian nation estab- In retrospect, this part of Macedonian Osvoboditelnata vojna (1877-1878), lished the foundations of the art of war; history has been poorly understood as the I, 1, Sofija, 1970, 460; Konstantin with their victorious phalanx and Aristo- source documents were unavailable until Pandev, Nacionalno-osvoboditelnoto tle’s enlightenment, they civilized the hu- the early 1980’s. Only after a hundred-year dviženie v Makedonija i Odrinsko period of secrecy was over and documents 1878-1903, Sofija, 1979, 40-41; Dojno from the Russian diplomatic archives be- Dojnov, Komitetite,,Edinstvo“. Roljata came generally available for study, it be- i prinosьt im za Sьedinenieto 1885, came obvious that the Macedonians to- Sofija, 1985, 288-291. ward the end of the 19th century were 3. D-r Vladan Gjorgjević, Srbija i Grčka fully prepared to establish an independent 1891-1893. Prilog za istoriju srpske di- Macedonian state. This critical develop- plomacije pri kraju XIX veka, Beograd, ment in the formation of the Macedonian 1923, 95-96. national state in the late 19th century, 4. Discourses of collective identity in and the early expression of Macedonian Central and Southeast Europe (1770- National Identity, needs to be conveyed to 1945) Page 481 By Balázs Trencsényi, the gate keepers of the European Union, Michal Kopeček (2006) as well as to the NATO leadership, to serve 5. Central State Archives of the October as a counter to the arguments of the Hel- Revolution and Socialist Construction lenic Republic and its spokesmen, that the in Moscow (Section Count Ignatiev, Macedonians are descendants of Slavic No 730, Description No 1, ed. hr. 79), hordes and that Tito created the otherwise 6. Ljuben Lape, Odbrani tekstovi za is- “non-existent” Macedonian consciousness torijata na makedonskiot narod II del and ethnic identity. Skopje 1976 str. 256-258.

Winter 2010 21 Profile: UMD Perth By Dame Krcoski

hen the USA and Canada finally recognized the Republic of Mace- W donia by its one and only name, it gave hope to Australians of Macedonian descent, as well. In all three large settler nations, there is a significant Macedonian community, and in all three, Greek organizations have been generally perceived to be both larger and more influential than the Macedonian ones. However, while Washington and Ottawa have shown their Macedonian communities their well-de- served respect, Canberra continues to bend to Greek pressure, and unjustly cling to the “FYROM” reference, in a cynical effort to appease the ultra-nationalism and xeno- phobia of some Greek-Australian voters. On November 12th 2010, The United Macedonian Diaspora officially established its presence in Perth by appointing left his native country at the age of six, (Left to Right) Simona Domazetoska, Slavko Dame Krcoski as its Regional Representa- and his family settled in Melbourne, be- Stojanoski, Dame Krcoski, Oliver Krcoski tive. Along with a team of enthusiastic fore moving back to Macedonia for a two volunteers, UMD Perth wants to educate year period. He and his family returned to Goce Krcoski our fellow Australians on important issues Australia in 1996, and have been living in Goce holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Fi- affecting the Macedonians in this country. Perth since. Dame graduated from Edith nance and Information Systems double Since there has been a deficit of Macedo- Cowan University in 2006, with a Bachelor Major) from Curtin University. He works nian youth involvement across Australia, of Arts, a double major degree in Politics/ for Chevron Australia, and as project ac- building a more sustainable movement Government and History, with a minor in countant for the Gorgon LNG project. He is one of UMD Australia’s main priori- Geography. Dame is also co-owner of 103.3 is responsible for the cost allocation of ac- ties. Also, closer ties with policy makers Mac FM, a 24/7 Macedonian radio station tivities on Barrow Island. Previous to that, and think tanks are sorely needed. The which covers the area of metropolitan he worked in Chevron’s treasury depart- Macedonian community in Australia has Perth. Dame has been a UMD member for ment for 2 years as a cash management been pre-occupied with inter-community two years, and the need to replicate UMD’s accountant. As of February 2010, he is also issues at the expense of closer relations success on Australian soil has been the driv- the treasurer for Chevron’s social club, with mainstream Australia, and the time ing factor which led him to help establish which has close to 1000 members. has come for that to change. UMD’s presence in Perth. UMD Perth, as an integral part of UMD Naum Trajceski Australia, aspires to play a major role in Slavko Stojanoski Co-owner of the 103.3 Mac FM radio sta- the official recognition of Macedonia by Born April 1988 and raised in Perth, Slavko tion, Naum is very well known amongst the Australian government, in part by graduated with honours from Curtin Uni- Perth’s Macedonian community, as he raising awareness about our cause to gen- versity of Technology with a degree in has been organising concerts for some of eral Australian society. civil and construction engineering. Slavko Macedonia’s most popular folk and pop is currently working as a civil engineer artists in Perth for the past 4 years. Naum We would like to introduce our team at on jobs requiring a wide range of skills. is also a property developer both in Perth UMD Perth: Slavko’s heritage is from the Mijak region, and Ohrid. He recently opened the ‘Philip around the river Radika, in Western Mace- II Apartments’ in Ohrid, as well as a trendy Dame Krcoski donia. Slavko is a passionate advocate for beach located on the banks of Lake Ohrid Born in Struga, Macedonia, in 1981, Dame the Macedonian cause. named ‘Metropolis beach’.

22 Winter 2010 ABOVE, RIGHT UMD Director of Austra- lian Operations Mr Ordan Andreevski with UMD Regional Rep for Perth Mr Dame Krcoski.

BELOW, RIGHT (Left to Right) Dame Krcoski, Naum Trajceski and Rob Pasquale at the UMD-Perth Launch Function. Simona Domazetoska Born in Bitola, Macedonia, Simona migrated to Australia at the age of 7. She is an Honours Graduate from the Univer- sity of Western Australia, with majors in English, German and Italian. She is also a part-time Academic Staff member at Curtin University, teaching at the English Centre. Her aims in joining the UMD is to protect the rights of the Macedonian minorities around the world, to make a difference and to promote, in a general sense, the ideals of peace, freedom and equality. Simona studied in Vienna, Austria for one year as part of a Student Exchange Program, and hopes to spread, on an international level, these human rights ideals.

Rob Pasquale Rob has a background in business and finance, and worked in banking for seven years before he decided to change in- dustries. He has recently been trained as a pizza chef, thus making the move into operating his own business (Slice of Italy) which is located at Edith Cowan Univer- sity, Joondalup campus. Rob is a passionate supporter of Macedonia and the Mace- donian cause. With a Macedonian mother from Prilep region, he also considers himself a very proud Macedonian.

Rob Salevski Currently the Managing Director of MaCon, specializing in project management, construction, building services and maintenance. Robert has qualifications in various fields some of which include IT and CCTV security. He has a vast experience in business, project management, beauty industry in Western Australia for at Curtin University. Jovan is currently import/export, and has operated a num- over 10 years. She has also acquired vari- travelling around Macedonia. Through ber of successful businesses over the past ous qualifications and experience, includ- his interest in Macedonian pop culture, 10 years. ing travel and tourism qualifications. music, as well as business, engineering and technology, he aims to help educate Eliana Salevski Jovan Domazetoski and strengthen the relations between the Born in Italy, Eliana moved to Australia as Born in Bitola, Macedonia, Jovan mi- youth of Macedonia and youth of the a child. She has been self-employed and grated to Australia at the age of 8. He is a Macedonian diaspora in Australia. Jovan has operated successful businesses in the civil and structural engineering graduate is proud to be a part of UMD Perth. w

Winter 2010 23 Filip Trpevski Born in 1986, in Skopje, Macedonia, Filip migrated to Australia at an early age. He is currently studying extractive metallurgy at Murdoch University, as well as Build- ing Design/Architecture. Filip is excited about UMD’s worldwide recognition and positive standing within the Macedonian community, and hopes to help drive up UMD membership numbers in Australia in the future.

Maja Koleva Born April 1987 and raised in Kratovo, Macedonia, Maja moved to Perth in 1995. She has graduated from Edith Cowan University with a Bachelor of Commu- nications. Maja is currently employed as Back Row (Left to Right) Goce Krcoski, Rob Pasquale, Jason Spaseski, Ordan Andreevski, Filip a communications brand marketer, pro- Trpevski, Oliver Krcoski, Naum Trajceski moting and marketing to international Front Row (Left to right) Dame Krcoski, Simona Domazetoska, Maja Koleva, Slavko Stojanos- brands in Australia. Maja is dedicated ki, Rob Salevski, Eliana Salevski, Yane Krcoski. and committed to promoting the Macedo- (UMD Perth Launch Function – UMD Team amongst other members) nian cause. Little Caesars’ Tradition Continues in

Westfield, Indiana By Aleks Mitreski

he tradition of “pizza pizza” continues, this time in Westfield, Indiana. T 50 years ago, Macedonian-Americans Michael and Marian Ilitch founded what would today become one of the world’s largest pizza chains, Little Caesars. In 1959, the Ilitches opened a small pizza restaurant in suburban Detroit, pouring into it their life savings, and large amounts of time and patience. With an appealing and simple menu that families with young children could afford, and a hands-on management style, their restaurant flourished, and Little Caesars Pizza was born. Today, Little Caesars is the number one carry-out pizza chain in the world, with restaurants on five continents. Little Caesars is a franchise, and the Westfield store was opened by Macedo- nian-Americans Lou and Valentina Nesto- cutting ceremony held on December 6, moment for the Nestorovski and Minoski rovski of Michigan, and Dejan and Olivia 2010 was attended by Westfield Town Offi- families, continuing the Little Caesars tra- Minoski of Indiana, continuing the great cials, Chamber of Commerce Officials, and dition,” stated Koloski. “I hope to see this history of Macedonian-American entre- UMD President Metodija A. Koloski. tradition continue in Macedonia as well preneurship. The grand opening ribbon- “I was honored to be part of this special one day.”

24 Winter 2010 Five Destinations in the Strumica Region that Can’t Be Missed By Slavica Taseva, Translated by Yana Branova

he town of Strumica is a sanctuary for spiritual pursuits, and a treasure chest T for lovers of history. Civilizations have continuously inhabited the location since prehistoric times. The settlement grew in the Byzantine era, then again in the Mid- dle Ages. History has left special traits to the town, which even today testify about the cultures that have at one time claimed these lands. In Strumica, every rock seems to have its own history, linking us to the spirits of our ancestors.

Roman Thermal Baths in Bansko About 14km from Strumica, you can find the village of Bansko. In 1979, archeolo- gists discovered beautiful Roman baths, which date from the 3rd century A.D. Some areas are totally preserved, starting from the roof all the way to the floor, which is why we can proudly say that this is the best-preserved ancient bath of its kind in the Balkans. Underneath Mt. Belasica, skilled Roman builders created a beautiful structure that can be called - without any hesitations - a spa centre of its era. The structure is made up of closed-in pool areas with both warm and cold water, saunas, massage and rest- ing areas, locker rooms, and other areas that visitors could use for relaxation of their bodies and spirits. Amazingly, the water still makes its way up to the same pools today, and it gets released by the Roman- built water canals, providing steam for the sauna. Up until a few years back, the pool was filled with thermal waters, but the ar- cheological teams regulated the flow of that water, in order not to damage the ancient walls. By taking particular conservation measures, and doing some minor reconstruction, Bansko could easily be developed into a major attraction - a 1,700-year-old spa-center with active baths. The thermal waters emerge from the depths close to the bath with a velocity of about 42 litres per second, and the w

Winter 2010 25 temperature of the water is a scalding 72 ers, who were protectors of the town, ac- December 11th is the holy day of the Fif- degrees Celsius. It means that, in only two cording to the Orthodox tradition. They teen Missionaries, and each year, the peo- minutes, eggs boil in the water. This phe- were religious missionaries hiding during ple of Strumica kneel to pay their respects nomenon has led to a local specialty called the oppression of Christians at the time outside the ancient tomb. “Bansko-style Eggs”. Based on the archel- of Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate, ogical evidence, we can easily imagine the circa 365 A.D. They traveled from Nikea to Conquering the fortress - Tsar’s Towers ancient Romans enjoying eggs prepared in Solun, and then from Solun to Tiberiopol, The symbol of Strumica and the most fa- exactly the same way, along with the wine, which is today’s Strumica. mous landmark of the town is the fortress grapes, and plums still produced in the lo- When they were eventually captured, known as the “Tsar’s Towers.” It proudly cal area. they were tortured until death, and buried rises above the town itself, from where not in an ancient necropolis outside the town, only the entire town can be seen, but also The Fifteen Holy Sufferers of Tiberiopol a typical burial at the time for Christians. its 72 surrounding villages. Mt. Belasica In the old part of Strumica, there is church A complex of religious structures has been and Mt. Ograzden are close by, as well as dedicated to the Fifteen Tiberiopol Suffer- discovered there, including the great tomb. the Pirin Mountains of Pirinska Makedoni- On the western wall is a beautiful fresco ja, in present-day Bulgaria. representing the fifteen martyrs. During the reign of Tsar Samuil, circa This fresco is one of the oldest of its 1000 A.D., the Strumica region was gov- kind in Macedonia. The church and the erned by his brother Aron, whose settle- tomb itself date from the 9th century A.D. ment was at the Strumica fortress. The In the writings of a Byzantine governor Battle of Belasica took place on July 29, circa 850 A.D., it is said that the Sufferers 1014, and Samuil’s army was routed by the preached Christianity in the area, were Byzantines under Vasilius II. The wounded known as miracle workers, and christened leader was taken to his son, Gavrilo Ra- thousands. We also learn about the Solun domir, in present-day Prilep. After the great brothers Kiril and Metodi, who created the victory, Vasilius II rested in Strumica, and Cyrillic Alphabet, and their disciple Kli- sent a Duke from Solun after the wounded ment Ohridski, who wrote the first prayer Tsar. However, that Duke was captured and with that alphabet. murdered personally by Gavrilo Radomir.

26 Winter 2010 In a legendary gesture of revenge, Vasil- ius II ordered 14,000 of Samuil’s captured soldiers to be blinded, while leaving every 100th solider with one eye only, to lead the rest back to their Tsar. Legend has it that the horror of this event was too hard for Tsar Samuil to endure, and he died of heartbreak. Although Vasilius II won the battle, he couldn’t conquer the Towers, despite a long siege. Today, these unconquerable towers are a well-known spot for picnics by the towns- people of Strumica. In 2005, new archeo- logical digs began, and now the walls and central tower, the two main entrance towers, the cisterns, the residential quarters inside, and other signficant objects can easily be seen. Restoration of the walls, towers and houses is underway. When they are fully restored, it will bring great pride to the people of Strumica, the town of the Tsar’s Towers.

The Monastery of St. Leonti, in the Village of Vodoca According to Macedonian and foreign historians, the blinding of Samuil’s men is like- ly to have occured in the valley of the River Vodochica, near the village of Vodocha, very close to Strumica. The original name of Vodoca was Milno, but the name was changed to reflect the massacre that took place there. (Vadi = to remove, Oci = eyes) There are three churches there, representing three different eras of fresco painting. There are ruins from a monastery complex built in the Middle Ages, two baths, and a many-layered Christian necropolis. There is also a monastery which still stands today, and the oldest of its three churches is a basilica, built upon preserved foundations which date back to at least the 6th century. Later on, a three-cupola structure was built on top, within a church. There is also a smaller structure dating from the 12th Century, and dedicated to St. Leonti. Circa 1180 A.D., the church was com- served in its original architectural form, shallow-relief. The techniques of the mortar pletely reconstructed, and obtained its cur- displaying the highest achievements of sa- and masonry of the facade are also unique, rent form. A part of this reconstruction in- cred Byzantine architecture in all of Mace- and the original frescoes are extremely rare, cluded cloisters for nuns, and that is where donia. Built in a crucifix shape, in 1080 with magnificent colours. The creator of Strumica’s Bishop Naum lives today. A.D. by a Father Manuil, St. Mary Milos- the complex wanted to create the most im- tiva is a true masterpiece, both inside and pressive artistic collection in the entire re- The Unique “Byzantine Pearl” of Macedonia outside. That’s why it’s called the Byzan- gion. There are newly-built cloisters for the About 7km from Strumica is the village tine Pearl of Macedonia. present-day nuns to live in. Veljusa, there is another Byzantine church Not only is the architecture of the rarest The entire space fills visitors with a magi- called St. Mary Milostiva. This 1,000-year- quality, but so are the frescos, the mosaics cal sense of contentment, peace, and appre- old church is still functioning, and is pre- and the wood carving of the iconostis in ciation for the beauty of God’s creation.

Winter 2010 27 Петте Неизбежни Дестинации Во Струмица и Струмичко Од Славица Тасева

радот Струмица е еден од неколкуте градови во Македонија кои Г претставуваат цивилизирани и духовни светилишта. Почетоците на неговата богата историја се во праисторијата, во антиката и византиско - словенската епоха, доцниот среден век и се до денес. Таа историја оставила неизбришиви траги кои до ден денешен сведочат за постоењето на културите на ова тло. Во Струмица секој камен има своја историја и своја приказна, поврзана со силата на духовите на нашите претци.

Римски Лековити Бањи во село Банско “Ајде сите на капење, па да се послужиме потоа со јајца на Бањски начин во Римската Бања!” Во непосредна близина на Струмица, на околу 14 км. се наоѓа селото Банско. Во него арехолозите во 1979 г. ја открија прекрасната Римска Бања, која потекнува од 3 в.н.е. Некои простории се целосно сочувани - од кровот па до подот, затоа со гордост кажуваме дека таа е најсочуваната бања од таков тип на Балканот па и пошироко. Вештите Римски градители под падините на планината Беласица изградиле преубав објект кој може слободно да се нарече “спа” центар на тогашното време. Објектот поседува затворени базени со топла, млака и ладна вода, сауна, простории за одмор, соблекувални и други простории за одмор и релаксација на телото и духот на посетителите. Покрај многуте импресивни факти за оваа бања, најзачудувачки е податокот дека водата се уште доаѓа до базените, истекува низ одводните канали, па излегува пареа од каналите во сауната. До пред некоја година базенот се полнеше со топла вода, па тимот археолози намерно го регулираа истекот на вода, за да не се оштетуваат ѕидовите на бањата. Со превземање на одредени конзерваторско - реставраторски зафати и со делумна реконструкција би добиле светско чудо и атракција - 17 века стар спа центар со активна бања.

28 Winter 2010 Изворот на топлата вода која доаѓа од дел се наоѓа големата гробница, на чиј бил управуван од Арон, неговиот брат, кој длабочините на земјата е во непосредна западен ѕид е насликана фреска која ги имал седиште во струмичката тврдина. близина на бањата и е со капацитет од 42 л/ прикажува Петнаесетте Тивериополски Византискиот император Василиј II, во сек. Температурата на водата е 72 0 С. За две Маченици. почетокот на 11 век превзел голема офанзива минути се приготвуваат меко варени јајца, Оваа фреска спаѓа во редот на најстарите против царот Самуил. Во битката на специјалитет познат како - јајца на Бањски фрески откриени на подрачјето на Беласица, на 29.07.1014 година Самоиловата начин. Македонија. Црквата, како и гробот датираат војска доживеала голем пораз, а ранетиот Степенот на сочуваност на објектот од 9-10 век н.е. Во 50- тите години на 9 век Самуил бил пренесен од неговиот син Гаврило ни го доловува со голема прецизност за управител на струмичката област бил Радомир во Прилеп. По големата победа уживањето на древните Римјани во топлите eden назначен Византиски царски намесник. Василиј II се упатил кон градот Струмица базени, масажите со миризливи масла, или Во неговото житие се вели дека заедно да се одмори. Но за да се заштити, пред себе опуштањата во сауната, пиејќи вино и со неговиот брат Константин (Кирил) го го испратил солунскиот Дук Теофилакт јадејќи грозје и смокви, кои виреат во овој проповедале христијанството и покрстиле Вотанијат кој бил дочекан и убиен лично од крај и конечно - можеби и јајца сварени во илјадници Словени. Веќе погодувате, станува Гаврило Радомир. Како одмазда за изгубениот топлата вода ..... збор за познатите Солунски Браќа ширум војсководец, Василиј II наредил да се ослепи светот. И друг познат деец дејствувал во заробената Самуилова војска која броела Св. Петанесет Тивериополски овие краеви - Климент Охридски и тука е 14.000 души. На секој стоти војник му Маченици создадена словенската азбука. оставил по едно око за да ги води другите Да влеземе во гробницата на светителите и да На 11 декември е празникот на петнаесетте назад до нивниот цар Самуил. ја видиме најстарата фреска во неа. светители, па секоја година Струмичани се Страотниот поглед на ослепената војска, Во стариот дел на градот се наоѓа црквата поклонуваат на нивните мошти, познати како измешаните крв, солзи и очи бил премногу посветена на Св. Петнаесет Тивериополски големи чудотворци, па и затоа култот кон нив тежок за царот Самуил, па неговото срце Маченици, заштитници на градот Струмица, е задржан до денес. според православната традиција. Но тоа е и познат археолошки локалитет. Петнаесетте За освојување на тврдината маченици биле верници кои бегајќи од “Цареви Кули” прогоните на христијаните за време на Симболот на Струмица и најпознатиот владеењето на царот Јустинијан Апостата белег на градот е тврдината Цареви Кули, (361 - 365 г.н.е) стигнале од Никеа до Солун, а која високо се издига над него и од чија оттаму до Тивериопол, денешна Струмица. доминантна местоположба со поглед се Откако биле фатени во Тивериопол биле опфаќа не само целата струмичка котлина мачени до смрт, па таму биле и погребани со 72-те села, туку и планините Беласица во доцноантичка некропола, надвор од и Огражден, па се до врвовите на Пирин градот, каде во тоа време биле закопувани планина во Бугарија. христијаните. На овој простор е откриен Во времето на владеењето на цар Самуил комплекс од црковни градби во чиј централен пред околу 1000 години, струмичкиот регион

Winter 2010 29 препукнало од преголемата болка за неговите објекти со извонредно значење - војници и тој починал. три цркви со три различни фази на Иако Василиј II ја добил битката над живопис. Понатаму има остатоци од Самуил, сепак Тврдината во Струмица не придружни објекти и од средновековниот можел да ја освои и долго време ја држел под манастирски комплекс, две бањи и опсада. повеќеслојна христијанска некропола. Во денешни ден неосвоивата тврдина Денес на таа локација постои Цареви Кули е познато излетничко место манастир. Најстарата од трите цркви кои за Струмичани. Но во 2005 година отпочнаа го сочинуваат манастирот е базилика археолошки истражувања и до денес се сочувана само во темелните партии која дефинирани бедемскиот зид, централната опстојувала во 5 и 6 век. Подоцна била Византиската кула, двете влезни кули, цистерните, изградена трикорабна купола и епископска сакрална архитектура на македонска куќите во внатрешноста на тврдината и црква, па мала крстовидна куполна црква територија. Изградена како крстовидна други објекти. Отпочната е реставрација и во 12 век средната куполна црква која е црква во 1080 година од Епископот на бедемите, кулите и куќите. Доколку посветена на Св. Леонтиј. Мануил претставува ремек дело по својата успееме да го вратиме поранешниот изглед на Во 80-тите години на 20 век извршена е композиција и внатрешниот и надворешниот тврдината ќе се гордееме со право со називот целосна реконструкција на црквата која била изглед. Затоа се нарекува Византиски бисер на нашиот град “Струмица -градот под во рушевини и го добила денешниот облик. на Македонија. Царевите кули” Дел од овој манастирски комплекс се и Не е само архитектурата врвен дострел конаците во кои престојуваат калуѓерките, а на византиската уметност, туку и фреските, Манастирот Св. Леонтиј во с. овде е и седиштето на Струмичкиот владика мозаикот, вајарството во плиток рељеф Водоча Наум. на иконостасот, како и техниката на Голем број македонски и странски фасадирањето на црквата. Оригиналните историчари сметаат дека ослепувањето Единствениот Византински фреско претстави се нашироко познати како на Самуиловите војници е извршено во бисер во Македонија реткости во раскошен бои. Основачот на клисурата на реката Водочница кај селото На оддалеченост од 7 км од Струмица во комплексот имал за цел да бидат надминати Водоча близу Струмица. Од синтагмата ,,вади селото Вељуса се наоѓа средновековната сите дотогашни уметнички остварувања очи,, го изведуваат денешното име на селото црква од Византискиот период Св. во околните цркви. Во овој манастирски Водоча, за кое се знае дека порано се викало Богородица Милостива (Елеуса). комплекс има новоизградени конаци во Милно. Во оваа илјадугодишна црква се уште кои служат калуѓерки. Целиот простор во Комплексот цркви Св. Леонтиј се наоѓа се одржуваат служби. Сочувана е во манастирот пленува со својот речиси магичен во с. Водоча, на 4 км. од Струмица. Овој оригиналното архитектонско обликување, спокој и смиреност и ги полни очите на локалитет го прават занимлив повеќето а ги презентира високите дострели на на посетителите со Божја убавина.

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