Federation of Macedonians: The Skopje Issue
Federation of Macedonians: The Skopje Issue
On November 29, 1943, during World War II, in a region of the former "Kingdom of Yugoslavia" liberated by Partisans, the "Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Yugoslavia" ("Antifašističko Vijeće Narodnog Oslobođenja Jugoslavije" - AVNOJ) decided to establish the "People's Federal Yugoslavia," composed of six equal South Slavic Republics. The name "Yugoslavia" translates into Greek as "South Slavia." A leading figure in the session was the Croatian leader of the Partisans and the Communist Party of Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito. It was proposed that the southernmost of the South Slavic federal People's Republics be named the "People's Republic of Macedonia."
On August 2, 1944, near Kumanovo, the first session of the so-called "Anti-Fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia" ("Antifašističko sobranie za narodno osloboduvanje na Makedonija" - ASNOM) was held, following the directive of AVNOJ. Among other decisions, it unhistorically and arbitrarily declared:
The transformation of the Vardar Province ("Vardarska Banovina") of Yugoslavia into the "People's Republic of Macedonia."
The renaming and restructuring of the Western Bulgarian dialects spoken by Slavic inhabitants of the Skopje region into a new language called the "Macedonian language."
Image 1: The map below from 1929 shows the administrative division of the "Kingdom of Yugoslavia" between 1929 and 1941. The "Kingdom of Yugoslavia" consisted of nine provinces ("Banovina"). None were named "Macedonia."
Image 2: A 1939 stamp depicting the provinces of the "Kingdom of Yugoslavia."
On May 21, 1945, a decree was issued to announce the name and alphabet of the new language created by a large appointed committee. This committee became known as the "Kolishevski Committee," named after its leader Lazar Kolishevski, Secretary of the local Communist Party of Yugoslavia and later Prime Minister of the new Yugoslav Socialist Republic of Macedonia.
The committee based the new alphabet on the Slavic dialects spoken in the region, particularly those of Bitola (Monastir), Prilep, and Veles. The aim was to strip the alphabet of Bulgarian elements as much as possible. The directive was to make the new language differ as greatly as possible from Bulgarian and Serbian to support the creation of a distinct nationality, separate from both Bulgarians and Serbs.
Simultaneously, the use of any other alphabet within the "Socialist Republic of Macedonia" was prohibited, and the federal government closed the borders with Bulgaria.
Image 3: The photo shows some of the committee members who created the alphabet for the so-called "Macedonian language." Behind the members, the letters of the newly created alphabet are displayed on a black cloth.
Image 4: The document that introduces and enforces the use of the new alphabet is shown. It is signed by Lazar Kolishevski as Prime Minister, N. Mintchev as Minister of Education, and Stefanovski as Head of Schools.
Observation 1st: Comparing the new alphabet created by the committee with the Bulgarian and Serbian alphabets reveals significant information that clearly demonstrates the intentions of the committee behind its creation.
The 30 Bulgarian letters:
А Б В Г Д -- Е Ж З -- И -- Й К Л -- М Н -- О П Р С Т -- У Ф Х Ц Ч -- Ш Щ Ъ Ь Ю Я
The 31 Macedonian letters:
А Б В Г Д Γ’ Е Ж З S И J -- К Л Љ М Н Њ О П Р С Т K’ У Ф Х Ц Ч Џ Ш
The 30 Serbian letters:
А Б В Г Д -- Е Ж З -- И Ј -- К Л Љ М Н Њ О П Р СТ -- У Ф Х Ц Ч Џ Ш Ћ Ђ
- The Macedonian alphabet shares 24 letters with both the Bulgarian and Serbian alphabets.
- It shares 24 letters with the Bulgarian alphabet.
- It shares 28 letters with the Serbian alphabet.
Key highlights:
- In green: Six letters from the Bulgarian alphabet excluded from the Macedonian alphabet.
- In gray: Two letters from the Serbian alphabet excluded from the Macedonian alphabet.
- In blue: Four letters adopted by the Macedonian alphabet from the Serbian alphabet that do not exist in the Bulgarian alphabet.
- In yellow: Three letters in the Macedonian alphabet that are unique and different from both Bulgarian and Serbian alphabets.
From the above, it is clear and indisputable that:
- The Macedonian alphabet is primarily based on the Bulgarian alphabet, from which six (6) letters (Й Щ Ъ Ь Ю Я) were removed, reflecting an effort to "de-Bulgarize" the previously used alphabet.
- A partial "Serbianization" was attempted by adding four (4) Serbian letters (Ј Љ Њ Џ).
- Efforts were made to differentiate the alphabet from both Bulgarian and Serbian by adopting three (3) new letters (Γ’, S, K’) that do not exist in either of the other two alphabets.
Essentially, six letters were removed from the Bulgarian alphabet, and seven new ones were added (four Serbian and three new ones), resulting in the Macedonian alphabet comprising 31 letters.
Observation 2nd:
The documents were written in Bulgarian, as the typewriter used had only Bulgarian letters. This becomes even more evident when one notices that the four (4) Serbian letters and the three (3) new letters adopted into the Macedonian alphabet were handwritten. Therefore, at that time, even the Ministry of Education, which issued the decision, used Bulgarian typewriters, as it is clear that the population wrote and spoke Bulgarian.
Detailed articles on the new language and its distinctive characteristics can be found in the works of university professors Nikolaos Andriotis and Spyridon Sfetas.
The Slavic Identity of the Macedonians
A few years ago, in an effort to facilitate the conversion of Greek Macedonians familiar with local dialects ("endopika") to the Macedonian side, a booklet written in Greek circulated within Greece. It attempted to convince the gullible that there was no Slavic presence and, by extension, that the Macedonians were not Slavs and that the Macedonian language was not a Slavic language. Naturally, this claim gained little credibility. However, even today, similar propaganda persists, as shown in photos like the one below:
The evidence, however, overwhelmingly contradicts this propaganda.
The first president of the neighboring state, Kiro Gligorov, and subsequent prominent leaders, such as Ljubčo Georgievski and Zoran Zaev, have explicitly stated that they are Slavs and speak a Slavic language.
Government officials and the scientific community in North Macedonia are well aware of the Slavic character of their language. As shown in the authentic article below (and its translation) published on the website www.echedoros-a.gr, they proudly proclaim their language's acceptance as an equal member of the family of Slavic languages.
Monday, September 2, 2013
International Conference: The Slavic Language of the Skopjans Recognized as Equal in the Slavic Language Family
10:21 PM | Posted by mikres-ekdoseis
September 2, 2013
Nineteen South Slavs from Skopje participated in the 15th World Slavic Congress held in Minsk, according to the Skopje newspaper Vecer, which added:
This year, 550 Slavists from 34 countries attended. Although the planned quota for Skopje was 15 participants, 18 were ultimately accepted. The Slavic Committee of Skopje made significant efforts to organize the participation of Slavs from Skopje, as this congress is held every five years. According to the head of the Slavic Committee of Skopje, Maxim Karanfilovski:
"The country fought to secure its rightful position so that the 'Macedonian' language would be recognized as equal and accepted in the family of Slavic languages."
The Skopje representatives showcased books written in the Slavic language of Skopje at the traditional exhibition, allowing attendees worldwide to learn about the latest developments in the Slavic literary world. The delegation included scientists, philologists, and sociolinguists.
Acknowledging the Slavic Nature of the Language
By admitting that the Skopjan language is Slavic, it becomes evident that it has no connection to the authentic Macedonian language, which is a dialect of Ancient Greek spoken by the ancient Macedonians. The Slavs appeared in the Balkans after 600 AD, nearly 900 years after Alexander the Great. Yet, misinformation has so deeply infiltrated public understanding that "Macedonism" has become an obsession for many, clouding logical reasoning.
Beyond the statements of presidents, prime ministers, and officials of the neighboring state, the use of the Cyrillic alphabet for the Skopjan language unequivocally underlines its Slavic character, which is beyond dispute.
U.S. Policy
On December 26, 1944, five months before the publication of the new Skopjan alphabet by the "Kolishevski Committee," then U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, through his Secretary of State, Edward R. Stettinius, issued Circular No. 868014/24.12.1944 to U.S. ambassadors and consuls. The circular clearly stated:
"The U.S. Department of State has observed increasing propaganda and semi-official statements about an Autonomous Macedonia, primarily from Bulgarian sources, but also from Yugoslav partisans and other sources, which include Greek territory in the proposed state. Our government considers any discussion of a 'Macedonian Nation,' 'Macedonian Homeland,' or 'Macedonian National Consciousness' to be baseless demagoguery without national or political legitimacy. This revival seems likely a pretext for territorial aspirations against Greece.
The approved policy of our government is to oppose any revival of the Macedonian issue involving Greece. The Greek region of Macedonia is predominantly inhabited by Greeks, who have no intention of seceding and strongly oppose the creation of a Macedonian state. Claims of significant Greek participation in such efforts are considered false. Our government will hold responsible any government or group of nations that tolerates or encourages threats or aggressive actions by 'Macedonian forces' against Greece."
A copy of the circular follows:
CIA Report
On February 17, 1950, the CIA issued a classified information report, declassified in 2001, stating:
- The Macedonian language was constructed.
- It is situated between the Serbian and Bulgarian languages, with stronger ties to Bulgarian.
- This language had never been written in books.
- Some communists opposed the new language.
Copies of the report’s first and sixth pages are attached below:
Subsequent U.S. Policy Changes
In the years that followed, the U.S., disregarding Greece's substantial contribution to the Allied victory in World War II (1940–1944) and its original stance against Skopjan propaganda targeting Greece, shifted its policy. The U.S. became a staunch supporter of the "Macedonism" promoted by the Slavs of Skopje, serving its geopolitical interests.
Even today, while professing friendship towards Greece, the U.S. undermines it. In 2004, President George W. Bush recognized the state of Skopje as the "Republic of Macedonia," just before leaving office, despite ongoing UN negotiations for the state’s final name.
More recently, on June 8, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order, unprecedented in its authoritarian and anti-Greek stance. The order incorporated the "Prespa Agreement" into documents that prohibit any obstacles to its implementation, with sanctions for those who do so. For non-U.S. citizens, including Greeks, this poses entry issues into the U.S., while Greek-Americans face potential asset-related sanctions by U.S. authorities.
The Bulgarian Stance
Bulgaria has never accepted the constructed alphabet of the "Kolishevski Committee" and still regards the language used by Skopjans as a western dialect of Bulgarian. High-level state meetings between the two nations have been canceled because Skopjans insist on using interpreters, while Bulgarians argue that no interpreter is needed from Bulgarian to Bulgarian.
Bozhidar Dimitrov, former director of the National Museum of Sofia, articulated Bulgaria's stance on the Skopjan language in an interview with the Bulgarian news agency Focus. Excerpts from this interview, as published on www.echedoros-a.gr, follow:
Thursday, July 3, 2014
"The elite in Skopje does not want EU membership because it would lose its privilege of exploiting the people."
11:38 PM | Posted by mikres-ekdoseis
June 3, 2014, Sofia
"This dialect was based on Bulgarian grammar, with some Bulgarian letters altered, hundreds of words changed, and many Serbian and foreign (Latin) words added. It is an artificial language taught in schools, while at home, people primarily speak the local dialect, which is essentially Bulgarian. This is the so-called 'Macedonian' language, and it is absurd to claim that it is the language of the Macedonians."
After the Signing of the “Prespa Agreement”
Following the signing of the "Prespa Agreement" by Greek politicians, the Bulgarian Government refused to agree to North Macedonia's accession to the European Union, citing certain demands. Two of these demands, which Bulgaria wants included in the French compromise proposal between the two countries, are:
- To include Bulgarians residing in North Macedonia as a constituent group of the state within its Constitution.
- For North Macedonia to acknowledge that the so-called "Macedonian Language" originates from Western Bulgarian dialects.
North Macedonian officials have accepted the terms of the French proposal, the final text of which has not been made public, and have formed a committee to revise their Constitution.
The Purpose Behind These Maneuvers
The above data reveals a systematic effort over many years by specific power groups to "Macedonize" Slavic populations in the southern part of the former Yugoslavia and to "Slavicize" Greek populations in the historical region of Macedonia, both within and beyond Greece.
By "Macedonization," I refer to the attempts by Slavic groups to appropriate the terms “Macedonian,” “Macedonic,” and the corresponding history of the true Macedonians, who, from antiquity to the present, are part of Greek history, folklore, and tradition.
By "Slavicization," I refer to the effort to classify Greeks of Macedonia into the Slavic ethnic group simply because they speak local dialects. These dual processes on both sides of the borders, as well as within Greek diaspora communities abroad, are organized by well-funded groups with extensive influence networks.
Through the construction of a "Macedonian" language and the consequent creation of a new ethnicity and state entity called "Macedonia" in the southern region of the former Yugoslavia, Josip Broz Tito, the undisputed leader of Yugoslavia during and after World War II, along with foreign powers supporting him, sought to:
- Diminish Bulgarian influence in the region.
- Reduce Serbia’s territorial dominance within Yugoslavia, especially before World War II.
- Establish a buffer state between Serbia and Greece to prevent direct borders.
- Assimilate the native Greek populations of North Macedonia.
- Misappropriate the Greek speakers of local dialects by claiming these as evidence of Slavic "Macedonian" identity.
- Create a fabricated "Macedonian" minority within Greece.
- Lay the groundwork for claims over Greek Macedonian territories, as seen in Tito's territorial ambitions condemned by Greece's Communist Party in 1949.
- Gain access to the Aegean Sea via the port of Thessaloniki.
Despite knowing these ambitions, Greek governments have historically failed to address or inform the public about the goals and propaganda of North Macedonia. Political inaction and appeasement have allowed "Macedonism" to gain traction. Over the years:
- In 1944, Tito established a "Macedonian" administrative region in Yugoslavia and introduced a "Macedonian" language and ethnicity.
- By 1991, the administrative region declared independence as the Republic of "Macedonia," leading to mass protests in Greece.
- In 2018, Greek politicians signed the "Prespa Agreement," recognizing "Macedonian" language and identity despite widespread opposition, significantly empowering North Macedonian nationalism.
This historical trajectory shows a consistent failure to address the issue decisively, leaving Greece vulnerable to further consequences stemming from the "Prespa Agreement."
The "Prespa Agreement" has legitimized many of the goals pursued by Tito's Yugoslavia, with the exception of territorial claims over Greek Macedonia. Greek politicians continue to reassure the public, downplaying the long-term consequences of the agreement.
Edessa, April 30, 2023
Dimitrios Youmatzidis
Postscript 1:
The terms "Skopje," "Skopian," and "Skopianese" are used without any intention to offend. As a Macedonian Greek, I proudly identify with my region and reject using these terms to describe those of Slavic descent or Greeks misled by North Macedonian propaganda.
Postscript 2:
All information in this article is derived from internet research. If anyone believes that intellectual property rights are violated, please contact: macedon.dg@gmail.com
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