United Macedonia Diaspora

[Prolet]

Vodenka, I have heard stories that the Macedonian Language in Egejska Makedonija is nearing extinction, we all know that the majority of the older population speak the language but what about the younger generation in Egejska?? Do they struggle to speak the language?? Also can they read and write Kirilica?? Do they have TV channels were they can watch Television in Macedonian Language? Via Satellite Television for example or they can only do so via Youtube and other websites?

[vodenka]

This is a presentation of our associations as it is on our web site.
“The Non-Profit Association "Educational and Cultural Movement of Edessa" was created by people who love Macedonian local tradition and want to provide for the preservation and projection of this rich cultural heritage which, cause of historical and political reasons, did not have the necessary protection and projection in Greece.
Our Organization, in collaboration with educational and cultural associations and other entities in the region of Macedonia, the entire Greek territory and the Balkan countries, will help to highlight any local Macedonian cultural expressions, old and modern.
One of the major initiatives of the Association will be recording and publishing all of the folk elements that tend to disappear, as the local Macedonian language, in each region of Macedonia, the traditional songs sung in that language as well as the old customs, tales and stories of these areas.
The Association also will help the emergence of new artists who often do not have the means to display their art.
The Association's objective is to facilitate cultural communication of the county (Pella) with other areas in regional, national and Balkan range. Create awareness of county citizens to culture and present this implemented cultural work to the general public, mainly by organizing exhibitions, organization of "culture day" on special themes, in promoting an ever closer union among the peoples of the Balkans and the countries‘ cultures, with respect to national and regional diversity and highlighting the common cultural heritage, by organizing related events.
The "Educative and Cultural Movement of Edessa" we feel is a living cell of cultural supply, conservation and continuity of our rich Macedonian heritage.
Our responsibility is great towards the younger generations and conveying of morals, customs, tradition, culture and language of our ancestors is our duty and our purpose. “


http://edessavoden.gr/page001.html
Translation of the above page (News - Events) from greek into english:

16/12/2009 - Our program of classes for the teaching of reading and writing of the Macedonian language for the speakers of it, was completed with great success.
The classes included teaching of the Cyrillic alphabet and some grammar rules so that the people who already speak the local dialect, to be able to read and write in it.
Due to the great interest for these lessons, we hope to be able to repeat our classes program next spring..
The teaching programs have a two months duration and are free of charge.
19/12/2009 - We would like to thank, through this site, our Macedonian friend from Sweden who was so kind to donate us about 100 (hundred) books with swedish children’s fairytales (“Ja poznavas li Pipi dolgiot corap?” and “Prikaznata za tsrvenoto jabolko”) translated from Swedish into Macedonian.
The participants to the classes for the teaching of writing and reading of our language, to whom the books were distributed for free, accepted them with great joy.

[Jankovska]

Originally Posted by Prolet

Jankovska, We have a German and Swedish section too its no different, i have nothing against the Greek Language i just think there should be other languages aswell so that others can understand..

Of course it is. The Germans and Swedish do not claim to be the same as Macedonians. But the Greeks do. You are Macedonian, therefore you are Greek right? Coming onto a macedonian forum reading in Greek will just confuse one even further

[vodenka]

Originally Posted by Prolet

Vodenka, I have heard stories that the Macedonian Language in Egejska Makedonija is nearing extinction, we all know that the majority of the older population speak the language but what about the younger generation in Egejska?? Do they struggle to speak the language?? Also can they read and write Kirilica?? Do they have TV channels were they can watch Television in Macedonian Language? Via Satellite Television for example or they can only do so via Youtube and other websites?

No, is the answer to all your questions. The good thing is that lately the young people who enjoy (and they are many) macedonian music and dancing, they wish to sing in Macedonian. It is here that we have to make them want to learn the language. t is in there best interest to know Macedonian as being a slavic language, they could communicate with many other people more easily if they learn it. And it is imperative now that the bounderies are falling to be able to know the language of our neighboring states. We Macedonians have a reason more than others in Egejska to want to learn our mother tongue which is the macedonian language spoken by all the Macedonians around us (Macedonia, Bulgaria and Albania). Up today the greek propaganda was brainwashing our people spreading the idea that our language is a kind of unworthy idiom with no cultural value. With our language classes we are trying to change this idea people have about macedonian language.

[Prolet]

Jankovska, The Macedonians there are really Macedonians, they come from Egejska Makedonija remember?? You dont see Spartans,Athenians,Trakians,Creteans etc saying they are Macedonian.

[Prolet]

Vodenka, Spolaj Ti

This is really important i agree, now that the visa barrier is taken down Macedonians from Stari Kraj can visit Egejska Makedonija and even see the people there. They should be sending teachers from Stari Kraj to help out and to make sure that our language is not forgotten in Egejska Makedonija.

In Skopje,Bitola there are teachers from Greece who come and teach the Greek language in Universities,Schools,Private Schools etc why should it be any different in Egejska Makedonija?

[Pavel]

Originally Posted by vodenka

No, is the answer to all your questions. The good thing is that lately the young people who enjoy (and they are many) macedonian music and dancing, they wish to sing in Macedonian. It is here that we have to make them want to learn the language. t is in there best interest to know Macedonian as being a slavic language, they could communicate with many other people more easily if they learn it. And it is imperative now that the bounderies are falling to be able to know the language of our neighboring states. We Macedonians have a reason more than others in Egejska to want to learn our mother tongue which is the macedonian language spoken by all the Macedonians around us (Macedonia, Bulgaria and Albania). Up today the greek propaganda was brainwashing our people spreading the idea that our language is a kind of unworthy idiom with no cultural value. With our language classes we are trying to change this idea people have about macedonian language.

Excellent Vodenka, this is very important work that you are doing. Keep it up!! The more people that learn Macedonian the better.

[vodenka]

In Skopje,Bitola there are teachers from Greece who come and teach the Greek language in Universities,Schools,Private Schools etc why should it be any different in Egejska Makedonija?

Of course we could and we should get teachers from Macedonia until we get our own macedonian teachers, but we have first to distroy the greek propaganda that was working against our people all the past years and kept them ignorant about their basic human rights. As soon as they will realise of what greeks have deprived them in the past, I am sure they will ask themselves for their rights.

[Jankovska]

Originally Posted by Prolet

Jankovska, The Macedonians there are really Macedonians, they come from Egejska Makedonija remember?? You dont see Spartans,Athenians,Trakians,Creteans etc saying they are Macedonian.

Why are you confusing the whole thing. Maknews against the wish of most people allowed to have a Greek section on his forum. It is not relevent if other language sections are available. Greece and the Greek people say that Macedonians don't exist and they are Macedonians therefore they are Greek. They say it's the same thing. The don't say they have Serbs or Spartans or god know what. They say they are all Greek and all Macedonians are Greek. Coming onto a Macedonian forum and seeing the Greek alphabet can make an outsider think in the wrong direction and confuse him even further. There should never be room for confusion. We are Macedonians, we have nothing to do with Greece. Our language is different and our alphabet is different, nothing to do with the greek one.
Vodenka I am sorry we went off topic. This is fantastic work, I am very proud of you and people like yourself. Well done.

[Prolet]

Pavel, This is why its good to have people like Vodenka, we need to hear this because our language is very important to the Macedonians in Egejska Makedonija. Vodenka should lead by example and hopefully there will be other groups around the other cities that will have language classes all over Egejska Makedonija because Voden is not the only city there. There are many other cities and villages that dont have these classes and there should be more of them.