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I would encourage you all to watch this from start to finish.
Set in the 1970's, this is a documentary of Macedonian pečalbari and settlers. Filmed mostly in Sydney, Australia, it details the trials, tribulations and culture shock of Macedonians (mostly from the republic, but some from Egej also) as immigrants in a foreign country. Many of them worked in difficult and dangerous manual labour jobs, but despite some complaints they survived because of their work ethic. That characteristic still features prominently in much of the older Macedonian population in Australia. There are also some passing references to the discrimination they faced as non-Anglo people. It gives one a renewed appreciation of the challenges that were faced by our family elders who first came here, it certainly did for me. That is one of the key takeaways of the documentary, that the early Macedonian immigrants were an industrious people.
There were some interesting perspectives with the periodical reference to Yugoslavia and Yugoslavs, sometimes by the Macedonians (product of their times, I guess) but also by the Australians that are interviewed, which is understandable given the period in which this documentary was filmed. However, Macedonia and Macedonians are overwhelmingly mentioned by the people and at one point an Australian makes an important distinction by crediting the Macedonians among the Yugoslavs as hard-working people that significantly contributed to the development of the country.
On the cultural front, there was the desire to have schools in the Macedonian language, the establishment of the first Macedonian Orthodox Church in Sydney (St. Elijah) and there is even a Muslim from Ohrid (probably a Turk) speaking and singing in Macedonian. In addition, there are a variety of Macedonian dialects on display. I can definitely hear Bitola, Prilep and Ohrid. The guy at the beginning of the clip sounds like he is speaking in a Prespa dialect, I had an uncle from Resen and he sounded like that, it is also somewhat similar to a few dialects in Lerin. On this, a particular note to RTG - early in the clip at about 4.55, listen to the old guy from Bapčor. Even though he is from the Kostur region, I am sure you will find his dialect very familiar.
In addition to the struggles they faced in their new country as they went about establishing themselves and their community, there was also the sadness of separation from their Macedonian homeland and families. Some of the stories are painful to watch. Basically, this is a culturally valuable documentary on the early life of Macedonians in Australia and the only disappointment is that more of these initiatives weren't undertaken in other Australian cities.
When you're done watching the documentary, I would also encourage you to listen to this song. Many times my father and uncles would listen to this song and reminisce about their first years in Australia and the longing for their lives and families back home in Macedonia.
А бре маки македонски!
Set in the 1970's, this is a documentary of Macedonian pečalbari and settlers. Filmed mostly in Sydney, Australia, it details the trials, tribulations and culture shock of Macedonians (mostly from the republic, but some from Egej also) as immigrants in a foreign country. Many of them worked in difficult and dangerous manual labour jobs, but despite some complaints they survived because of their work ethic. That characteristic still features prominently in much of the older Macedonian population in Australia. There are also some passing references to the discrimination they faced as non-Anglo people. It gives one a renewed appreciation of the challenges that were faced by our family elders who first came here, it certainly did for me. That is one of the key takeaways of the documentary, that the early Macedonian immigrants were an industrious people.
There were some interesting perspectives with the periodical reference to Yugoslavia and Yugoslavs, sometimes by the Macedonians (product of their times, I guess) but also by the Australians that are interviewed, which is understandable given the period in which this documentary was filmed. However, Macedonia and Macedonians are overwhelmingly mentioned by the people and at one point an Australian makes an important distinction by crediting the Macedonians among the Yugoslavs as hard-working people that significantly contributed to the development of the country.
On the cultural front, there was the desire to have schools in the Macedonian language, the establishment of the first Macedonian Orthodox Church in Sydney (St. Elijah) and there is even a Muslim from Ohrid (probably a Turk) speaking and singing in Macedonian. In addition, there are a variety of Macedonian dialects on display. I can definitely hear Bitola, Prilep and Ohrid. The guy at the beginning of the clip sounds like he is speaking in a Prespa dialect, I had an uncle from Resen and he sounded like that, it is also somewhat similar to a few dialects in Lerin. On this, a particular note to RTG - early in the clip at about 4.55, listen to the old guy from Bapčor. Even though he is from the Kostur region, I am sure you will find his dialect very familiar.
In addition to the struggles they faced in their new country as they went about establishing themselves and their community, there was also the sadness of separation from their Macedonian homeland and families. Some of the stories are painful to watch. Basically, this is a culturally valuable documentary on the early life of Macedonians in Australia and the only disappointment is that more of these initiatives weren't undertaken in other Australian cities.
When you're done watching the documentary, I would also encourage you to listen to this song. Many times my father and uncles would listen to this song and reminisce about their first years in Australia and the longing for their lives and families back home in Macedonia.
А бре маки македонски!
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