Hey everybody! First of all, I'm new here and I'd like to say that I hope this forum would be at last a ground of civilised discussion and goodwill between the two sides. So, help me understand your views while understanding also mine.
I currently live in Italy, but I'm 100% Greek, of which 50% Macedonian, 25% Cappadocian and 25% Ionian (Asia Minor).
I just want to ask "What's in a name?" to all of you.
a) The fact that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a part of the wider region of Macedonia is undoubted.
b) The fact that the region has had in the past many influences from Turks, Greeks, Slavs and Bulgarians is also undoubted.
c) The fact that this (referring to b) has generated a multi-cultural entity in the region (of which I also am a part by 50%) is also undoubted.
d) The fact that there is also a language developed over the years in the region is finally also undoubted. Personally, I was also raised speaking some of this language (which is very close to the languages spoken today in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and in Bulgaria).
History is something we all know (no matter local propagandas by our own countries). Everyone knows that we cannot be direct descendants from any ancient Greek/Macedonian/Roman etc tribe. This is because over the centuries so many mixtures have occurred in our region, that render this impossible. The reason I'm defining myself as Greek is because my parents (and before them my grandparents) were also defining themselves as Greeks. The same goes for everyone in the region. Everyone is indeed what he or she feels that he or she is.
My question to you concerns the name itself. Why insisting on a name which is Greek by default? Does this imply that you are Greeks too?
I really hope this will open a descent discussion without any bad-names called from either side. My presence here is only to learn and not to start any fight with you guys.
I currently live in Italy, but I'm 100% Greek, of which 50% Macedonian, 25% Cappadocian and 25% Ionian (Asia Minor).
I just want to ask "What's in a name?" to all of you.
a) The fact that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a part of the wider region of Macedonia is undoubted.
b) The fact that the region has had in the past many influences from Turks, Greeks, Slavs and Bulgarians is also undoubted.
c) The fact that this (referring to b) has generated a multi-cultural entity in the region (of which I also am a part by 50%) is also undoubted.
d) The fact that there is also a language developed over the years in the region is finally also undoubted. Personally, I was also raised speaking some of this language (which is very close to the languages spoken today in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and in Bulgaria).
History is something we all know (no matter local propagandas by our own countries). Everyone knows that we cannot be direct descendants from any ancient Greek/Macedonian/Roman etc tribe. This is because over the centuries so many mixtures have occurred in our region, that render this impossible. The reason I'm defining myself as Greek is because my parents (and before them my grandparents) were also defining themselves as Greeks. The same goes for everyone in the region. Everyone is indeed what he or she feels that he or she is.
My question to you concerns the name itself. Why insisting on a name which is Greek by default? Does this imply that you are Greeks too?
I really hope this will open a descent discussion without any bad-names called from either side. My presence here is only to learn and not to start any fight with you guys.
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