THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE DONOR ATANAS BLIZNAKOV IN THE MONOGRAPHS BY SLAVE KATIN
My acquaintance with Atanas and Slavka Bliznakov dates back to 1976 when they met and spoke with the parents of the author of this book, Sanda and Josif Ničevski who were also migrant workers living in Toronto but who had previously come to their homeland. The meeting was cordial, a Macedonian one, just like a meeting among any expatriates, and it took place at the Matica of the Macedonian Expatriates.
They talked about life in the U.S. and Canada, future plans and desires. However, the dominant theme was returning to Macedonia. Then, it was said that Atanas Bliznakov intended to establish a foundation at the University of Skopje, and that news was accepted with enthusiasm and joy.
However, more intensive cooperation and friendship with Atanas Bliznakov began in 1979. Namely, at that time, this virtuous patriot and donor kept coming to the Matica of the Macedonian Expatriates, an institution he considered his second home. At that time Živko Vasilevski was president and he honestly and with respect assisted the establishment and existence of the Foundation and of the entire life of the Bliznakov couple. Dimče Mire, together with Tome Bukleski were permanent members and most creditable for the establishment of the Foundation. Dime Mire was the first president of the Matica, while Tome Bukleski was the next president. Naum Peov, born in Gabreš, whom Atanas Bliznakov considered as a fellow country dweller and respected Macedonian from Aegean Macedonia, was vice president at that time.
Then, the editor in chief of the magazine ‘Macedonia” was the senior member of Macedonian journalism, Hristo Andonovski, who treated whatever Atanas wrote with great love and respect , as did Ivan Točko when he was editor in chief when Atanas wrote texts. Trajan Baftirovski was secretary, followed by Vasil Zigomanov and they offered their help on organizational and technical plans in his life in general. In addition, other employees at the Matica, such as Radmila Trifunovska, Dragica Gerovska, Snežana Zlatevska, Strašo Ristevski, Cveta Spiroska, Ljiljana Mickovska, Mile Trajkov, Anica Ġoševa and Rodna Danailovska, including the author of this work, made a significant contribution to the affirmation of the life and work of Atanas and Slavka Bliznakov.
This was particularly intensive when Atanas Bliznakov undertook the job of preparing a monograph on the village D’mbeni, for which the employees at the Matica, along with Prof. Dr. Todor Simovski, contributed greatly to publishing his work, and to the realization of his dream about his native village D’mbeni.
From year to year the cooperation and friendly relations with Atanas Bliznakov expanded and deepened. He was often visited at his home in the suburb of Karpoš 4, where he remained for a while. But because of its distance to the center of town he was not very pleased. Later, the Executive Council awarded another apartment to the couple, on the street ‘Orce Nikolov’, as a token of their respect to the donor and his merits as a donor, which made his life easier.
From this new apartment, Atanas Bliznakov could often go to the Matica and other institutions, and have meetings with the author of this work at SSRNM in the former building of the Central Committee of SKM. The rooms were near his apartment on the street ‘Orce Nikolov’ and it was easy for Atanas to go there and discuss about the foundation, business, policy, about the situation in the U.S. and worldwide. It gave rise to a deepening and widening of the friendship, trust and cooperation, especially when Atanas entrusted the running of the correspondence in the English language on behalf of the Foundation and with many banks, pension and social insurance associations in the United States to the author of this monograph.
Further to his working style, it could be said that Atanas Bliznakov was thoughtful, wise and always behaved deliberately. He ran the whole financial structure of the shares he owned in the USA wisely, and he had a great knowledge of the methods related to the equity business. Therefore, the amount of the assets of the Foundation increased day by day. Certainly it was also a consequence of the fact that Atanas was regularly informed by Mr. Robert Harding from ‘Prudential Security’, an agency that gave him positive guidance in dealing successfully with shares.
As a result of the good cooperation and close friendship between Slavka and Atanas Bliznakov on the one hand, and the family of the author, on the other hand, Bliznakov decided after the death of Dime Mire, that the author of these lines should be a permanent and lifelong member of the Foundation “Atanas Bliznakoff”. Thus cooperation was further increased, enriched, deepened and became closer and more confidential.
In regard to the realization of all requirements and wishes of the donor Bliznakov, the role and understanding of the rectors of Ss. Cyril and Methodius had invaluable and great importance over the period of twenty years, and especially the close and correct attitude and great understanding of Duško Sekovski, secretary of the Rector’s Office, that soon after the establishment of the Foundation until the demise of Atanas, was, along with Doka Todorovska, the right hand and executor of the wishes of the Bliznakovs.
Since 1990, Atanas Bliznakov was particularly interested that the funds of the Foundation be administered from one place. Thus, as a result of many conversations and arrangements in the course of 1993, he decided that the Foundation assets in stocks in the U.S. be registered on behalf of the Foundation but remain at the Prudential Security in Chicago to avoid or eliminate any inconvenience after his death. His wish was honored. However, the funds deposited in Jugobanka of Macedonia, later in the National Bank, really were a source of concern for Atanas although he was aware of all the political turmoil and changes in Macedonian society at that time.
My Cooperation with Atanas Bliznakov continued until the last days of his life. Despite the diseases due to his age, Atanas was able to talk and answer many questions, and he expressed lively interest in the Foundation. At the same time, he proudly underlined many times that the Foundation was in safe hands and it would have a promising future.
His wish was that the members of the Foundation keep on fulfilling their responsibility for its development, for its adequate, honest and charitable activity and development.
In addition, his wish was that a monograph on his life and work be published after his death.
Крај
By SLAVE KATIN
