As I still hold a Greek citizenship, I feel responsible of Macedonians living in Greece. Also known as Ntopioi (locals) Aegean Macedonians have been and still are mistreated by the Greek state and people.. Many of them (some in this forum) left (or were expelled by) Greece in a very bitter way..
The question is what could be realistically done to help them. I'd want them to be able to speak their language and practice their customs freely and in harmony with the rest!
I believe education through direct exposure to the Macedonian people and culture might be the best option. It's easy to demonize something distant and abstract. Maybe, if a Greek person had a Macedonian friend, they would be ashamed calling them you-know-what.
If a critical mass of Greeks were exposed to Macedonians, it could trigger a shift. Right now unfortunately, the vast majority of Greeks have a knee-jerk reaction on anything Macedonian. Even worse, they tend to think all of this is an insidious plot to seize land..
Personally, I prefer tolerant and multicultural societies and that was one of the reasons I emmigrated. I am afraid others like me are also leaving so; guess who is staying..
Anyways, what do you think? Does the name deal change anything since Greece finally accepted the existence of the Macedonian language? Any ideas from Aegean Macedonians following the forum?
The question is what could be realistically done to help them. I'd want them to be able to speak their language and practice their customs freely and in harmony with the rest!
I believe education through direct exposure to the Macedonian people and culture might be the best option. It's easy to demonize something distant and abstract. Maybe, if a Greek person had a Macedonian friend, they would be ashamed calling them you-know-what.
If a critical mass of Greeks were exposed to Macedonians, it could trigger a shift. Right now unfortunately, the vast majority of Greeks have a knee-jerk reaction on anything Macedonian. Even worse, they tend to think all of this is an insidious plot to seize land..
Personally, I prefer tolerant and multicultural societies and that was one of the reasons I emmigrated. I am afraid others like me are also leaving so; guess who is staying..
Anyways, what do you think? Does the name deal change anything since Greece finally accepted the existence of the Macedonian language? Any ideas from Aegean Macedonians following the forum?
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