INTRODUCTION BY PROF. VELIM STOJKOVSKI PhD.
The second part titled “Living and Working in the U.S.A.” outlines the period from his arrival in the U.S.A. until his return to D’mbeni, his marriage to Slavka Bliznakova, their married life, as well as his work and activity at MANS, in the associations of “Aleksandar Makedonski” and “Lazar Pop Trajkov”, at the Macedonian Orthodox Church of “Sts Peter and Paul” in Gary, and others. In fact, this part is an introduction to his forthcoming donations.
The third part is dedicated to the establishment of the Foundation “Atanas Bliznakoff”, as well as to its management. Namely, this part describes the most fruitful part of his life and the fulfillment of his life dream: to establish a foundation at the University in Skopje in order to help the Macedonian people in Macedonia by investing his capital in the Foundation to award fellowships to the students of the University “Sts. Cyril and Methodius”.
This part abounds with documents, starting with the Decision on Establishing the Foundation “Atanas Bliznakoff” at the University of “Sts. Cyril and Methodius” in Skopje, including the list of all students who received fellowships over a period of twenty one years.
The fourth section refers to the honor and glory of the donor and presents the responses and reactions following the establishment of the Foundation, as well as marks its 10th and 20th anniversary and the 90th birthday celebration of Atanas Bliznakov a noble patriot and donor. In addition, this part also describes the last part of his life until his death.
The fifth part of this work is dedicated to the publicist activity of Atanas Bliznakov, to this outstanding Macedonian migrant worker in the U.S.A. who was really a unique individual with many distinctive characteristics. It should also be stressed that Bliznakov focused his writing towards his fatherland; a place and people for whom he had great patriotism and emotion.
Atanas Bliznakov, together with his wife Slavka, lived in Skopje for more than twenty years (1976-1998). During that time he published two books. The first one titled “D’mbeni and the revolutionary past of Kostur” was published by the Publishing House “Misla” in Skopje in 1982, while the second one, “National political, and cultural activity of the Macedonians in the U.S.A. and Canada”, was published by the Publishing House “Kultura” in Skopje in 1987.
The goal of this book about his native village, D’mbeni, is to inform the young generations about the activities, work, roots and life of Macedonians in Kostur Region who, through no fault of their own, were scattered all over the world but nevertheless their souls remained connected to their ancestral homeland.
The grave of Goce Delchev in Skopje
The second book “National, political, and cultural activity of the Macedonians in the United States and Canada” presents the Macedonian immigration, especially the first generation in the U.S. and Canada.
In a lively and narrative style he presented the integration of the Macedonian emigrants into the new environment, the establishment of Macedonian associations and clubs, newspapers, organizations and church communities, i.e. parishes. The book, in fact, is an intersection of history and the development of the Macedonian immigrants in the U.S. and Canada.
Bliznakov published many articles in the newspapers in the U.S. and Macedonian, particularly in magazines such as “Macedonia”, a journal of the Agency of Immigrants of Macedonia, now the Ministry of Immigration, in the newspaper “Nova Makedonija”, “Vecer”, “Studentski zbor” and also in other newspapers to which he contributed until the end of his life.
In addition, this part also presents the awards and acknowledgments given to donor Bliznakov, a bibliography of published texts, literature and a register of names.
This book also contains a large number of photographs, facsimiles of documents from associations in which Bliznakov was a member, as well as letters and other materials aimed at contributing to a more complete illustration of his distinctive and important personality. The author has made an effort to present the more significant moments in the life of this noble expatriate to keep his memories alive.
However, this book will mostly serve the students who held scholarships from the Foundation “Atanas Bliznakoff” so they can remember the humane and patriotic work of Atanas Bliznakov who will live on in the history of the University “Sts. Cyril and Methodius”, in the history of Macedonian emigration, the Macedonian people and the Republic of Macedonia.
To be continued
By SLAVE KATIN
