Aromanians in the Republic of Macedonia
Encyclopedia
The Aromanians
are an officially recognised minority group in the Republic of Macedonia
. In 2002 they numbered 9,695, but Aromanian activists claim that the number is over 100,000. They are concentrated in Kruševo
, Štip
, Bitola
and Skopje
.
and the nearby mountainous Gramos region also helped develop Krusevo
(Crushuva) and Bitola
(Bitolia) into large prosperous cities. Shephards of the Pelister region near Bitola
used to herd huge flocks of sheep from the summer pastures on Pelister (Pilister) to the winter lowlands near Ghevgelia, Giannitsa
and Salonica(Saruna). Typical Aromanian goods were cheese, meat, wool and wool garments, leather, rugs and carpets. Many Aromanians also entered the rug and carpet trade by selling Kilimi and Flocati. Wealthier Aromanians established themselves in Bitola
and Stip
as inn-keepers, artisans, caravan traders and merchants. An Aromanian market (Macedonian
: Vlaška čaršija) was established in Bitola's Aromanian quarter. The Aromanian presence is still present in Bitola up to this day.
The Macedonian-Aromanian mountain villages of Magarevo, Gopeš, and Trnovo were founded on the foot hills of Mount Pilister. By the 1860s many Aromanians had joined the agitation present in Macedonia
and supported the Macedonian Revolutionary movement. Many Aromanians had also identified with Romanians
or Greeks
and some even Bulgarians
. The first Romanian school was established in 1864 in the village of Trnovo and was followed by another 40 Romanian language
-Vlach schools. Many of these schools provided an education in both the Romanian and Aromanian
languages. In the late 19th century a split between the Grecophile and Romanophile Aromanians occurred. This struggle became violent with schools burnt down, cemeteries desecrated and people assaulted. The Aromanian people were a crucial force in the Ilinden Uprising
and the establishment of the Krusevo Republic. The Krusevo Republic
is hailed by Aromanians as the Ten Days of Freedom. One notable Aromanian who participated was the heroic Pitu Guli
who was killed on the Mečkin Kamen (Bear's Rock).
After the First Balkan War
most of the Romanian schools were closed down. Many of the Aromanian villages were destroyed during World War I
. To escape the conflict many Aromanians fled to Serbia
or Romania
. Aromanians who lived in what is now known as the Republic of Macedonia were subject to strict Serbianization along with the rest of the population. After the outbreak of World War II
most Aromanians once again found themselves subject to Bulgarian control. Sources claim that fines were imposed on people for using the Aromanian language. These repressive measures compelled many Aromanians to join the Communist Partisans. The Aromanian contribution to the Partisan cause in Macedonia was crucial.
After the war many Aromanians began to assert their ethnic identity. High levels of intermarriage with Macedonians and urbanization also began to affect the community. In the 1970s new initiative's were started to create Aromanian social and cultural societies. The Society of Arts and Culture was established in 1979 and in 1981 another cultural society was established. In 1985 the first Aromanian song was recorded by Risto Pulevski-Kicha. A tape was made for Macedonian television and this tape was used to support the request to create a cultural society. The Pitu Guli society of Skopje and the Manaki Brothers Society of Bitola were founded.
After the Declaration of Independence form Yugoslavia, Aromanians were officially recognised as a minority group. They receive full minority rights from the Macedonian government.
The Aromanians are an officially recognised minority group in the Republic of Macedonia
. The Aromanian language is taught among Aromanian students and the language is co-official in the Krusevo municipality. Aromanian language media is available, and regular television and radio broadcasts in the Aromanian language help to ensure its survival. The national day of the Aromanians in Macedonia is May 23.
. Use of this language has recently been in a period of decline. High rates of intermarriage with Macedonians and assimilation have reduced the number of speakers. The Krusevo municipality
is the only place in the world where the Aromanian language is a recognised minority language. The language has recently undergone a revival and is now taught to Aromanian students throughout the Republic.
.
Aromanians
Aromanians are a Latin people native throughout the southern Balkans, especially in northern Greece, Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and as an emigrant community in Serbia and Romania . An older term is Macedo-Romanians...
are an officially recognised minority group in the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
. In 2002 they numbered 9,695, but Aromanian activists claim that the number is over 100,000. They are concentrated in Kruševo
Kruševo
Kruševo also spelled Krushevo, is a town in the Republic of Macedonia. It is the highest town in Macedonia, situated at an altitude of over 4,000 feet above sea level. The town of Kruševo is the seat of Kruševo Municipality.-History:...
, Štip
Štip
Štip is the largest urban agglomeration in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, serving as the economic, industrial, entertainment and educational focal point for the surrounding municipalities. As of the 2002 census, the Štip municipality alone had a population of about 47,796...
, Bitola
Bitola
Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba and Nidže mountains, 14 km north of the...
and Skopje
Skopje
Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre...
.
History
The Aromanians have historically been called Vlachs and Macedo-Romanians. The Aromanians are a unique ethno-linguistic group having their own culture and language that have existed for over two thousand years in the Balkan peninsula. They were for centuries considered a traditional mountain people and soon the word Vlach became synonymous with animal-husbandry and herdsmanship throughout the Balkans. Although traditionally live-stock herders many began to emigrate to larger cities in the 16th and 17th centuries. Many Aromanians who fled from MoscopoleMoscopole
Moscopole was a cultural and commercial center of the Aromanians, and now a small municipality in Korçë District, modern southeastern Albania. At its peak, in the mid 18th century, it hosted the first printing press in the Balkans outside Istanbul, educational institutions and numerous churches...
and the nearby mountainous Gramos region also helped develop Krusevo
Kruševo
Kruševo also spelled Krushevo, is a town in the Republic of Macedonia. It is the highest town in Macedonia, situated at an altitude of over 4,000 feet above sea level. The town of Kruševo is the seat of Kruševo Municipality.-History:...
(Crushuva) and Bitola
Bitola
Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba and Nidže mountains, 14 km north of the...
(Bitolia) into large prosperous cities. Shephards of the Pelister region near Bitola
Bitola
Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba and Nidže mountains, 14 km north of the...
used to herd huge flocks of sheep from the summer pastures on Pelister (Pilister) to the winter lowlands near Ghevgelia, Giannitsa
Giannitsa
Giannitsa is the largest town and a former municipality in Pella regional unit, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Pella, of which it is a municipal unit...
and Salonica(Saruna). Typical Aromanian goods were cheese, meat, wool and wool garments, leather, rugs and carpets. Many Aromanians also entered the rug and carpet trade by selling Kilimi and Flocati. Wealthier Aromanians established themselves in Bitola
Bitola
Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba and Nidže mountains, 14 km north of the...
and Stip
Stip
Stip can refer to:*Štip, the largest town in the eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia* STIP Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, a 4 year transportation planning document required by the Federal Highway Administration...
as inn-keepers, artisans, caravan traders and merchants. An Aromanian market (Macedonian
Macedonian language
Macedonian is a South Slavic language spoken as a first language by approximately 2–3 million people principally in the region of Macedonia but also in the Macedonian diaspora...
: Vlaška čaršija) was established in Bitola's Aromanian quarter. The Aromanian presence is still present in Bitola up to this day.
Macedonia (region)
Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe. Its boundaries have changed considerably over time, but nowadays the region is considered to include parts of five Balkan countries: Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia, as...
and supported the Macedonian Revolutionary movement. Many Aromanians had also identified with Romanians
Romanians
The Romanians are an ethnic group native to Romania, who speak Romanian; they are the majority inhabitants of Romania....
or Greeks
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
and some even Bulgarians
Bulgarians
The Bulgarians are a South Slavic nation and ethnic group native to Bulgaria and neighbouring regions. Emigration has resulted in immigrant communities in a number of other countries.-History and ethnogenesis:...
. The first Romanian school was established in 1864 in the village of Trnovo and was followed by another 40 Romanian language
Romanian language
Romanian Romanian Romanian (or Daco-Romanian; obsolete spellings Rumanian, Roumanian; self-designation: română, limba română ("the Romanian language") or românește (lit. "in Romanian") is a Romance language spoken by around 24 to 28 million people, primarily in Romania and Moldova...
-Vlach schools. Many of these schools provided an education in both the Romanian and Aromanian
Aromanian language
Aromanian , also known as Macedo-Romanian, Arumanian or Vlach is an Eastern Romance language spoken in Southeastern Europe...
languages. In the late 19th century a split between the Grecophile and Romanophile Aromanians occurred. This struggle became violent with schools burnt down, cemeteries desecrated and people assaulted. The Aromanian people were a crucial force in the Ilinden Uprising
Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising
The Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising or simply the Ilinden Uprising of August 1903 |Macedonia]] affected most of the central and southwestern parts of the Monastir Vilayet receiving the support mainly of the local Bulgarian peasants and to some extent of the Aromanian population of the region...
and the establishment of the Krusevo Republic. The Krusevo Republic
Kruševo Republic
During the Ilinden-Preobrazhenie Uprising in 1903 the rebels from the Secret Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization in Kruševo proclaimed a short lived Kruševo Republic....
is hailed by Aromanians as the Ten Days of Freedom. One notable Aromanian who participated was the heroic Pitu Guli
Pitu Guli
Pitu Guli was an Aromanian revolutionary in Ottoman Macedonia, a local leader of what is commonly referred to as the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization ....
who was killed on the Mečkin Kamen (Bear's Rock).
| Region | Population |
|---|---|
| Veles Veles (city) Veles is a city in the center of the Republic of Macedonia on the Vardar river. The city of Veles is the seat of Veles Municipality.-Name:The city's name was Vylosa in Ancient Greek and before the Balkan Wars, it was a township with the name Köprülü in the Üsküp sandjak, Ottoman empire for 600... |
500 |
| Kavadarci Kavadarci Kavadarci is a town located in the Tikveš region of the Republic of Macedonia. Situated in the heart of Macedonia’s wine country, it is home to the largest winery in south-eastern Europe, named after the Tikveš plain. The town of Kavadarci is the seat of Kavadarci Municipality... |
122 |
| Gevgelija Gevgelija Gevgelija is a town with a population of 15,685 located in the very southeast of the Republic of Macedonia along the banks of the Vardar River, situated at the country's main border with Greece , the point which links the motorway from Skopje and three other former Yugoslav capitals with... |
9430 |
| Skopje Skopje Skopje is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Macedonia with about a third of the total population. It is the country's political, cultural, economic, and academic centre... |
450 |
| Tetovo Tetovo Tetovo is a city in the northwestern part of Macedonia, built on the foothills of Šar Mountain and divided by the Pena River.The city covers an area of at above sea level, with a population of 86,580 citizens in the municipality. Tetovo is home to the State University of Tetovo and South East... |
50 |
| Kumanovo Kumanovo Kumanovo is a city in the Republic of Macedonia and is the seat of Kumanovo Municipality which is the largest municipality in the country. Municipal institutions include a city council, mayor and other administrative bodies.-Name:... |
50 |
| Kratovo Kratovo Kratovo may refer to:*Kratovo, Macedonia, a town in the Republic of Macedonia*Kratovo, Russia, an urban-type settlement in Moscow Oblast, Russia*Kratovo, Serbia, a settlement situated in the Priboj municipality of southwestern Serbia... |
340 |
| Kriva Palanka Kriva Palanka Kriva Palanka is a town located in the northeastern part of the Republic of Macedonia. It has 14.558 inhabitants. The town of Kriva Palanka is the seat of Kriva Palanka Municipality which has almost 21.000 inhabitants.... |
220 |
| Kočani Kocani Kočani is a town away from Skopje, situated in the Eastern part of the Republic of Macedonia, with population of 28 330. The town of Kočani is the seat of Kočani Municipality.-Geography and population:... |
2020 |
| Bitola Bitola Bitola is a city in the southwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia. The city is an administrative, cultural, industrial, commercial, and educational centre. It is located in the southern part of the Pelagonia valley, surrounded by the Baba and Nidže mountains, 14 km north of the... |
15690 |
| Kruševo Kruševo Kruševo also spelled Krushevo, is a town in the Republic of Macedonia. It is the highest town in Macedonia, situated at an altitude of over 4,000 feet above sea level. The town of Kruševo is the seat of Kruševo Municipality.-History:... |
4095 |
| Resen Resen Resen was, according to Genesis 10:11, a city founded by Asshur son of Shem.Resen is stated, according to Genesis 10:12, to have been located between Nineveh and Calah and became a great city. Its exact location is today unclear. According to Genesis, it is within the vicinity of ancient Assyria,... |
3210 |
| Prilep Prilep Prilep is the fourth largest city in the Republic of Macedonia. It has a population of 66,246 citizens. Prilep is known as "the city under Marko's Towers" because of its proximity to the towers of Prince Marko.-Name:... |
745 |
| Ohrid Ohrid Ohrid is a city on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid in the Republic of Macedonia. It has about 42,000 inhabitants, making it the seventh largest city in the country. The city is the seat of Ohrid Municipality. Ohrid is notable for having once had 365 churches, one for each day of the year and has... |
1960 |
| Total | 38,882 |
After the First Balkan War
First Balkan War
The First Balkan War, which lasted from October 1912 to May 1913, pitted the Balkan League against the Ottoman Empire. The combined armies of the Balkan states overcame the numerically inferior and strategically disadvantaged Ottoman armies and achieved rapid success...
most of the Romanian schools were closed down. Many of the Aromanian villages were destroyed during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. To escape the conflict many Aromanians fled to Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
or Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. Aromanians who lived in what is now known as the Republic of Macedonia were subject to strict Serbianization along with the rest of the population. After the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
most Aromanians once again found themselves subject to Bulgarian control. Sources claim that fines were imposed on people for using the Aromanian language. These repressive measures compelled many Aromanians to join the Communist Partisans. The Aromanian contribution to the Partisan cause in Macedonia was crucial.
After the war many Aromanians began to assert their ethnic identity. High levels of intermarriage with Macedonians and urbanization also began to affect the community. In the 1970s new initiative's were started to create Aromanian social and cultural societies. The Society of Arts and Culture was established in 1979 and in 1981 another cultural society was established. In 1985 the first Aromanian song was recorded by Risto Pulevski-Kicha. A tape was made for Macedonian television and this tape was used to support the request to create a cultural society. The Pitu Guli society of Skopje and the Manaki Brothers Society of Bitola were founded.
After the Declaration of Independence form Yugoslavia, Aromanians were officially recognised as a minority group. They receive full minority rights from the Macedonian government.
Minority Status
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
. The Aromanian language is taught among Aromanian students and the language is co-official in the Krusevo municipality. Aromanian language media is available, and regular television and radio broadcasts in the Aromanian language help to ensure its survival. The national day of the Aromanians in Macedonia is May 23.
Language
Aromanians have traditionally spoken the Aromanian languageAromanian language
Aromanian , also known as Macedo-Romanian, Arumanian or Vlach is an Eastern Romance language spoken in Southeastern Europe...
. Use of this language has recently been in a period of decline. High rates of intermarriage with Macedonians and assimilation have reduced the number of speakers. The Krusevo municipality
Kruševo municipality
Kruševo is a municipality in central Republic of Macedonia. Kruševo is also the name of the town where the municipal seat is found. This municipality is part of the Pelagonia Statistical Region.-Geography:...
is the only place in the world where the Aromanian language is a recognised minority language. The language has recently undergone a revival and is now taught to Aromanian students throughout the Republic.
Media
Many forms of Aromanian language media have been established since the 1990s. The Macedonian Government provides financial assistance to Aromanian language newspapers and radio stations. Aromanian language newspapers such as Phoenix service the Aromanian community. The Aromanian television program Spark broadcasts on Macedonian Radio-TelevisionMacedonian Radio-Television
Macedonian Radio Television is the public broadcasting organization of the Republic of Macedonia. It was founded in 1993 by the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia...
.
Notable Aromanians from the Republic of Macedonia
- Pitu GuliPitu GuliPitu Guli was an Aromanian revolutionary in Ottoman Macedonia, a local leader of what is commonly referred to as the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization ....
- (1865–1903) Heroic Ilinden Revolutionary - Toše ProeskiToše ProeskiTodor Toše Proeski was a Macedonian multi-genre singer, songwriter and actor. He was popular across the entire Balkan area and all around Eastern Europe, and locally he was considered a top act of the Macedonian music scene...
- (1981–2007) Pop Singer and Super Star - Kaliopi Bukle - (1966- ) Pop Singer
- Petre Čašule - (1882–1924) Revolutionary
- Taki FitiTaki FitiTaki Fiti was born on 7 November 1950 in Kruševo in Republic of Macedonia. He received his MA in 1980, and his Ph.D. in 1983 at the Faculty of Economics in Skopje...
- (1950- ) Former Minister of Finance 1996-1998 - Milton Manakis - (1878–1954) Cinemagraphic Pioneers and First people to film the Balkans
- Yannakis Manakis - (1882–1964) Cinemagraphic Pioneers and First people to film the Balkans
- Constantin Belemace - (1848–1932) Aromanian Writer
- Niku Karanika - (1910–2002) Aromanian Poet
- Jani Makraduli - (1965- ) Politician in the Republic of Macedonia
- Apostol MargaritApostol MargaritApostol Mărgărit was an Aromanian school teacher and writer.-Life:Mărgărit was born in Macedonia, the Ottoman Empire. In 1862, Mărgărit became a school teacher in Vlaho-Clisura, near Grevena and taught the children in Aromanian, and Greek...
- (1832–1903) Educator - Dimitri Atanasesky - (1836–1907) Educator
- Alexandros SvolosAlexandros SvolosAlexandros Svolos was a prominent Greek legal expert, who also served as president of the Political Committee of National Liberation, a Resistance-based government during the Axis Occupation of Greece.- Early life :...
- (1892–1956) Greek Politician - Constantin Iotzu - (1884–1962) Architect
- Taki Hrisik - (1920–1983) Composer and Musician
- Patriarch Joachim III of ConstantinoplePatriarch Joachim III of ConstantinopleJoachim III the Magnificent was Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople from 1878 to 1884 and from 1901 to 1912.He was born in Constantinople in 1834, with origin from Kruševo. He was educated in Vienna....
- (1834–1912) Patriach, Of Aromanian Parents - Atanasios Piteon - (1836–1913) Revolutionary
- Janko Popovic - (1779–1833) Serbian Revolutionary
- Leon Boga - (1886–1974) Historian
- Teodor Kapidan - (1879–1953) Linguist and Academic