PART OF THE BOOK “SELECTED PAPERS FOR MACEDONIA”
BY SLAVÉ KATIN
Macedonians in the Diaspora began more widespread organization as late as after the First World War. In the period between the two world Wars there was a noticeable movement and activity on a national scale. In the beginning many Macedonian emigrants, especially from Aegean Macedonia, had joined the Macedonian Patriot Organization (“Makedonska patrioticheska organizacija”) known as MPO.
However, after the change in its political orientation, and its shift toward the Great Bulgaria assimilatory policy, a certain number of Macedonians began establishing independent progressive groups in a number of cities in the USA and Canada. They basically supported the affirmation of the realistic ways and paths which could be followed by the Macedonian revolutionary ideological struggle, which was an inseparable part of the struggles of the other progressive forces in the Balkans.
After the first conference in 1930 these progressive groups united into one Soyuz, or association, i.e. the Macedonian People’s Association (Makedonskiot naroden sojuz, MNS.) The main objective of the MNS was to fight for the freedom of Macedonia with the desire of establishing a Balkan federation which would guarantee wide national, political, and social rights and freedom of the Balkan peoples, including the Macedonian people of the three parts of Macedonia. In realizing this political platform the MNS had counted on the support and mutual action of every progressive force and everyone in the world, especially those of the Balkans.
There is a lot of data which clearly shows that during the Second World War the MNS, together with the other progressive organizations in USA and Canada, directed its forces toward an active anti-fascist battle. The members of this organization struggled to liquidate fascism, and were also supporters of the establishment of a life that promises greater democratic freedom and permanent peace. Their assistance was also huge during the period of the establishment and renewal of what was then the People’s Republic of Macedonia until they were stopped in the 1950’s as a consequence of the Inform bureau.
At the same time, the Macedonian emigrants in the Transatlantic and other countries manifested a positive attitude and great loyalty toward the National Liberation War in Macedonia and offered organized assistance in the renovation and construction of the country after the war. Nevertheless, the campaign for construction of part of the hospital in Skopje was by far the greatest and most valuable in its effect and significance.
Activities began in 1946, and in 1948 the hospital was officially opened. This was at the same time both pride and encouragement for the connections with Macedonia. During those stormy times the liberal national and social development and penetration of the truth about the People’s Republic of Macedonia, strongly induced the organized life of the emigrants on a national basis. At the same time this was a most effective protection against every foreign propaganda and enemy activity in the communities of the Macedonian emigrants.
On the other hand, when speaking of the organized activities in the Transatlantic countries, we need mention that it includes the majority of Macedonian emigrants. Furthermore, an important component in this kind of organization is the fact that they have joined into independent associations, churches and church communities above all, where the members are Macedonians regardless of the part of Macedonia they come from.
At the same time the religious and national structures, emigrant organizations, and their memberships continued to grow constantly, while their activities spread and improved in quality. Hence, in this period evident results were achieved in the spiritual and cultural and educational life. Numerous Macedonian churches and societies were established, as well as sports clubs and other forms of activity in which Macedonian emigrants gathered massively. However, the establishment of Macedonian Orthodox churches and church communities are of special significance for the activities of the Macedonian emigrants.
The Macedonian Orthodox Churches – Ohrid Archbishopric (MOC-OA) and communities in Australia, Canada, and the USA, and recently in the countries of the European Union, are the most significant and most massive gathering places of the Macedonians from every part of Macedonia. In addition to the church services, the Macedonian language, the authentic mother tongue brought from the native land can be heard freely at these Macedonian shrines.
At these cultural, educational, and spiritual centers there are Macedonian schools, and the Macedonian mother tongue, national history and geography are studied. Scripture is also taught at many churches. Thus, there is an open process of establishing cultural and arts societies, entertainment, literature, and sports associations, publishing of newspapers, bulletins, and magazines, and opening of Macedonian radio and TV shows. Therefore, the Macedonian Orthodox churches survive among the emigration as an invincible reality and important factor in the emigrant communities. The churches exist as a permanent trace, acknowledged by the domestic factor, and they act freely in the environment in which Macedonians live and work.
Macedonian Orthodox churches and church communities in the Diaspora are quite appreciated by those societies above all because of the results that the Macedonians achieve in their work, and because of their attitude and high level of loyalty toward their new fatherland. Nevertheless, it is most significant that through their church communities the Macedonian emigrants affirm their native fatherland, thus contributing to international relations. In fact, they are the bridge of collaboration between the Republic of Macedonia and Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, countries of the European Union, and other countries throughout the world.
Many times it has been stressed that the Macedonian emigrants and their associations, with special emphasis on the Macedonian Orthodox churches and church communities, have grown into a quite significant positive factor in the establishment of good mutual relations between the countries in which they live and the Republic of Macedonia.
To be continued
BY DUSHAN RISTEVSKI-MAKEDON
