The Ilinden Uprising

[Risto the Great]

Isn't that interesting. Makes you wonder about the Jews of Solun, they would have been far better friends to Macedonians than the former Turkish Nationals that stole their land.

[Prolet]

Not a whole lot has been documented about the Jews in the Ilinden Uprising.

Good find BBS

[TrueMacedonian]

According to John Shea's book 'Macedonia and Greece' he writes on page 168;

Given the presence of at least one Jewish revolutionary (Julius Rosenberg) amongst prominent Ilinden heroes, it would seem that membership was expanded even further at some point in time.

[Soldier of Macedon]

What an interesting topic, it's nice to have some corroboration behind the suggestion that Jews helped the Macedonians of VMRO.

[Makedonetz]

Kruševo / Крушево

Kruševo (Macedonian: Крушево, Aromanian: Crushuva) is a town in the Republic of Macedonia. It is the highest town in Macedonia, situated at an altitude of over 4,000 feet (1250 m) above sea level. The town of Kruševo is the seat of Kruševo municipality.

History

Mentioned in documents from the 15th century, Kruševo is a living museum, famous for its traditional architecture, cultural sites, and legacy as the site of the great 1903 Ilinden uprising against Ottoman domination. The rebellion failed, but its memory is cherished in Macedonia even today, as a symbol of the national struggle for freedom and democracy; while it lasted only 10 days, the Kruševo Republic of revolutionary leader Nikola Karev represented a desire for self-rule under a modern European political system. Today an enormous monument on the hill above Kruševo marks the elusive dream of the Ilinden revolutionaries.

During the Ilinden Uprising in 1903 the rebels proclaimed a short lived Kruševo Republic. Having suppressed the uprising the city was almost completely destroyed by the Ottoman army.The republic known as Kruševska republika was established here in 1903 during the Ilinden insurrection. One of the most important points in the Ilinden uprising was the declaration of the "Manifesto of Kruševo". It called for all the people of Macedonia regardless of their nationality and religion to fight together against the Ottoman Empire and live peacefully in a free country of Macedonia. Most of the heads and soldiers of Ilinden were pure Aromanians/Armans.

There is in the area a monument called Mečkin Kamen (Bear's Stone). This was the place where the Aromanian Pitu Guli and his band (cheta) was trying to defend the town of Kruševo from the Turkish troops coming from Bitola. The whole band and their leader (voivode) perished and Kruševo as well as many of the nearby villages were set to fire by the Ottomans.


Postcard with picture from Krushevo - 1903
Kruševo is a picturesque mountain town. Situated at an altitude of 1,350 metres (4,400 ft), Kruševo is the highest town in the Republic of Macedonia. Kruševo is known for its many fine examples of 19th century domestic architecture. The town is full of old and more recent houses built in the style of old Aromanian architecture. The town was founded by Macedonians in the 15. century. The cultural and economic uprising of the town faced when Aromanians from Epirus in particular from Moscopolis arrived there in the 18. century. Today we have the highest concentration of Aromanians/Armans in Macedonia in Krusevo.

It is home to Mečkin Kamen, an historical landmark which marks the spot of the uprising of 1903. On 2 August every year, it is the site of the traditional Macedonian Independence Day celebrations, which are attended by the President of Macedonia and other Macedonian political leaders.Kruševo also hosts the Makedonium monument to the Ilinden Uprising and a number of museums of the Ilinden Uprising.The towns galleries include an exhibit of 19th century icons and a memorial to the master of modern Aromanian painting Nikola Martinovski who was born in this town.Because of its elevation, Kruševo is one of
Macedonia’s winter sports destinations; the same quality also makes this pine-forested getaway a comfortable destination in summer, when the Kruševo air stays cooler and more pure than in the arid lowlands.

Notable people

Pitu Guli, Aromanian revolutionary, one of the most important Aromanian heroes

Toše Proeski, famous Aromanian singer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tose_Proeski (R.I.P) :rmacedonia

Nikola Martinovski,Aromanian painter


Panorama Krusevo
[imghttp://www.cincarnet.com/krusevo.jpg[/img]


YouTube - Krusevska republika | Крушев�ка република

[Prolet]

[Makedonetz]

Spolji Ti Prolet

[Mastika]

Krusevo is, in my opinion, the most picturesque town in Macedonia. For those who havent been I definately recommend a visit there. The scenery leading into the town is very nice and the view is great from the top of the town looking down onto the houses and the rest of the area. More could be done however for the people, the architecture and for the protection of the Aromanian language/culture.

[Bill77]

More could be done however for the people, the architecture and for the protection of the Aromanian language/culture.

Protect? Who or what is the cause of this danger for the Aromanian language/culture

[Prolet]

Bill, Whats your opinion of Krushevo?

[Soldier of Macedon]

Protect? Who or what is the cause of this danger for the Aromanian language/culture

Yes, I would like for this statement to be clarified also. How exactly is Macedonia failing its Vlach population in Krushevo?

[Bill77]

Bill, Whats your opinion of Krushevo?

I never been there mate and its one of my bigest regrets. Mabe next time.

I know Tose loved it dearly and had plans one day to write a song about Krushevo. Unfortunatly he was taken away from us before he can live that dream.

[Prolet]

Bill, I agree mate

The good news now is that they built a road to the Manastir Sv Preobrazenije and EVN is going to provide the Electricity so it lights up at night. Krushevo is a top city, especially during winter time.

[Mastika]

Protect? Who or what is the cause of this danger for the Aromanian language/culture

Just general assimilation into wider Macedonian society. Macedonia hasn't failed them, in fact they enjoy the best minority rights of all Aromanians. However just as is happening across the Balkans the Aromanian culture is slowly dissapearing. This however ut is an issue that the community themselves will have to adress, the country can only do so much.

ps. SoM I said that more could be done not that the country is failing them.

[Prolet]

Mastika, The Vlasi have good minority rights and have always been part of Macedonia, Krushevo as a city is being redeveloped, we can always improve on all fronts but at the same time we have to be grateful for what we have because the Vlasi are not the only minority group in Macedonia.