Macedonians in Croatia
Encyclopedia
Macedonians in Croatia refers to the group of ethnic Macedonians who reside in Croatia
. According to the official census of 2001, there are 4,270 ethnic Macedonians in Croatia.
. Early Migration was primarily of Macedonians from a rural background. These migrants have been joined by many newer "business migrants" who have come to Croatia for the opportunities it offers. Many of the migrants settled in the capital of Croatia, Zagreb
and Istria
. Macedonian communities can be also found in larger towns such as Osijek
, Pula
, and Zadar
.
: Zajednica Makedonaca u Republici Hrvatskoj). It was founded in 1992 and it branches over six other smaller organizations from the major cities where Macedonians reside. The Cultural associations are as follows; KUD-Ohridski Biser from Zagreb, KUD-Makedonija from Split
, KUD-Biljana from Zadar
, KUD-Brak Miladinov from Osijek
, KUD-Ilinden from Rijeka
and KUD-Kočo Racin from Pula
.
The associations encourage traditional Macedonian folklore and customs from the motherland. They also encourage the upkeep of Macedonian heritage, language
and traditions in Croatia.
are predominantly adherents to the Macedonian Orthodox Church
. There are four organised church communities which are abbreviated to the MPCO . The four Communities are St. Zlata Meglenska of Zagreb, St.Naum of Ohrid in Split
, St.Joachim of Osogovo of Pula
and St.Tsar Constantin
and Tsaritsa Elena
of Rijeka
. Father Kiro Velinski holds liturgy in Zagreb and Split.
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
. According to the official census of 2001, there are 4,270 ethnic Macedonians in Croatia.
Migration
Macedonians have been migrating to Croatia since the Socialist Federal Republic of YugoslaviaSocialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was the Yugoslav state that existed from the abolition of the Yugoslav monarchy until it was dissolved in 1992 amid the Yugoslav Wars. It was a socialist state and a federation made up of six socialist republics: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia,...
. Early Migration was primarily of Macedonians from a rural background. These migrants have been joined by many newer "business migrants" who have come to Croatia for the opportunities it offers. Many of the migrants settled in the capital of Croatia, Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
and Istria
Istria County
Istria County is the westernmost county of Croatia which includes the biggest part of the Istrian peninsula . The area of the county is called Istra in Croatian and Slovene...
. Macedonian communities can be also found in larger towns such as Osijek
Osijek
Osijek is the fourth largest city in Croatia with a population of 83,496 in 2011. It is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, as well as the administrative centre of Osijek-Baranja county...
, Pula
Pula
Pula is the largest city in Istria County, Croatia, situated at the southern tip of the Istria peninsula, with a population of 62,080 .Like the rest of the region, it is known for its mild climate, smooth sea, and unspoiled nature. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing,...
, and Zadar
Zadar
Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Population of the city is 75,082 citizens...
.
Culture
The main Macedonian cultural association in Croatia is the Macedonian Community of Croatia (CroatianCroatian language
Croatian is the collective name for the standard language and dialects spoken by Croats, principally in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Serbian province of Vojvodina and other neighbouring countries...
: Zajednica Makedonaca u Republici Hrvatskoj). It was founded in 1992 and it branches over six other smaller organizations from the major cities where Macedonians reside. The Cultural associations are as follows; KUD-Ohridski Biser from Zagreb, KUD-Makedonija from Split
Split (city)
Split is a Mediterranean city on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian and its wide port bay. With a population of 178,192 citizens, and a metropolitan area numbering up to 467,899, Split is by far the largest Dalmatian city and...
, KUD-Biljana from Zadar
Zadar
Zadar is a city in Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is the centre of Zadar county and the wider northern Dalmatian region. Population of the city is 75,082 citizens...
, KUD-Brak Miladinov from Osijek
Osijek
Osijek is the fourth largest city in Croatia with a population of 83,496 in 2011. It is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, as well as the administrative centre of Osijek-Baranja county...
, KUD-Ilinden from Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
and KUD-Kočo Racin from Pula
Pula
Pula is the largest city in Istria County, Croatia, situated at the southern tip of the Istria peninsula, with a population of 62,080 .Like the rest of the region, it is known for its mild climate, smooth sea, and unspoiled nature. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing,...
.
The associations encourage traditional Macedonian folklore and customs from the motherland. They also encourage the upkeep of Macedonian heritage, language
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...
and traditions in Croatia.
Religion
Macedonians in CroatiaCroatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
are predominantly adherents to the Macedonian Orthodox Church
Macedonian Orthodox Church
The Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric or just Macedonian Orthodox Church is the body of Christians who are united under the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, exercising jurisdiction over Macedonian Orthodox Christians in the Republic of Macedonia and in exarchates in the Macedonian...
. There are four organised church communities which are abbreviated to the MPCO . The four Communities are St. Zlata Meglenska of Zagreb, St.Naum of Ohrid in Split
Split (city)
Split is a Mediterranean city on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian and its wide port bay. With a population of 178,192 citizens, and a metropolitan area numbering up to 467,899, Split is by far the largest Dalmatian city and...
, St.Joachim of Osogovo of Pula
Pula
Pula is the largest city in Istria County, Croatia, situated at the southern tip of the Istria peninsula, with a population of 62,080 .Like the rest of the region, it is known for its mild climate, smooth sea, and unspoiled nature. The city has a long tradition of winemaking, fishing,...
and St.Tsar Constantin
Constantine I and Christianity
During the reign of the Emperor Constantine the Great, Christianity became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. Constantine, also known as Constantine I, had a significant religious experience following his victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312...
and Tsaritsa Elena
Helena of Constantinople
Saint Helena also known as Saint Helen, Helena Augusta or Helena of Constantinople was the consort of Emperor Constantius, and the mother of Emperor Constantine I...
of Rijeka
Rijeka
Rijeka is the principal seaport and the third largest city in Croatia . It is located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea and has a population of 128,735 inhabitants...
. Father Kiro Velinski holds liturgy in Zagreb and Split.
Media
There are several Macedonian language newspaper operating in Croatia. The most prominent is Macedonian Voice which has been in print since the 1990s. It is printed with financial assistance from the Croatian Government.Macedonians by counties and cities
| County | Macedonians | % |
|---|---|---|
| Istria Istria County Istria County is the westernmost county of Croatia which includes the biggest part of the Istrian peninsula . The area of the county is called Istra in Croatian and Slovene... |
454 | 0,22% |
| Bjelovar-Bilogora Bjelovar-Bilogora County Bjelovar-Bilogora County is a county in central Croatia.The central town of Bjelovar was first mentioned in 1413, and it only gained importance when a new fort was built in 1756 to defend against the Ottoman invasions... |
93 | 0,07% |
| Karlovac Karlovac County Karlovac County is a county in central Croatia, with the administrative center in Karlovac.The city of Karlovac is another fort from the times of the Military Frontier... |
90 | 0,06% |
| Koprivnica-Križevci Koprivnica-Križevci County Koprivnica-Križevci County is a county in northern Croatia. Its hyphenated name comes from two entities: the two of its largest cities, Koprivnica and Križevci.... |
51 | 0,04% |
| Krapina-Zagorje Krapina-Zagorje County Krapina-Zagorje county is a county in northern Croatia. It encompasses most of the historic region called Hrvatsko Zagorje.The Krapina-Zagorje county is a candidate for being the most idyllic county in Croatia: the many villages and small towns spread out across the hillsides are perfect for... |
48 | 0,03% |
| Lika-Senj Lika-Senj County Lika-Senj county is a county in Croatia that includes most of the Lika region and some northern coastline of the Adriatic near the town of Senj, including the northern part of the Pag island... |
23 | 0,04% |
| Međimurje | 21 | 0,02% |
| Primorje-Gorski Kotar Primorje-Gorski Kotar County Primorje-Gorski kotar County is a county in western Croatia that includes the Bay of Kvarner and the surrounding Northern Croatian seacoast, and the mountainous region of Gorski kotar... |
489 | 0,16% |
| Sisak-Moslavina Sisak-Moslavina County Sisak-Moslavina County is a Croatian county in eastern Central Croatia and southwestern Slavonia. It is named after the city of Sisak and the region Moslavina just across the river Sava. According to 2001 census it is inhabited by 185 thousand people.... |
125 | 0,07% |
| Varaždin Varaždin County Varaždin County is a county in northern Croatia. It is named after its county seat, the city of Varaždin.-Geography:In addition to the city of Varaždin, the county includes the towns of Ivanec, Ludbreg, Lepoglava, Novi Marof and Varaždinske Toplice, as well as 22 municipalities... |
66 | 0,04% |
| Zagreb County Zagreb County Zagreb County is a county in central Croatia. It surrounds – but does not contain – the nation's capital Zagreb, which is a separate territorial unit. For that reason, it is often nicknamed "Zagreb ring"... |
190 | 0,06% |
| Zagreb town Zagreb Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city... |
1315 | 0,17% |
| Dubrovnik-Neretva Dubrovnik-Neretva County The Dubrovnik–Neretva County is the southernmost Croatian county located in south Dalmatia. The county seat is Dubrovnik and other large towns are Korčula, Metković, Opuzen and Ploče... |
109 | 0,09% |
| Split-Dalmatia Split-Dalmatia County Split-Dalmatia County is the central-southern Dalmatian county in Croatia. The administrative center is Split. The population of the county is 455,242... |
387 | 0,08% |
| Šibenik-Knin Šibenik-Knin County Šibenik-Knin County is a county in Croatia, located in north-central Dalmatia. Its center is Šibenik; other notable towns are Knin, Drniš and Skradin.... |
63 | 0,06% |
| Zadar Zadar County Zadar County is a county in Croatia, it encompasses northern Dalmatia and southeastern Lika. Its center is the city of Zadar.- Population :According to the 2001 census, Zadar County has population of 162,045... |
122 | 0,08% |
| Brod-Posavina Brod-Posavina County Brod-Posavina County is the southern Slavonian county in Croatia. Its center is the city of Slavonski Brod and it spreads along the left bank of the Sava river, hence the name Posavina... |
75 | 0,04% |
| Osijek-Baranja Osijek-Baranja County Osijek-Baranja county is a county in Croatia, located in northeastern Slavonia and Baranja. Its center is Osijek; other cities include Đakovo, Našice, Valpovo, Belišće, Beli Manastir.-Administrative divisions:Osijek-Baranja county is divided into:... |
311 | 0,09% |
| Požega-Slavonia Požega-Slavonia County Požega-Slavonia county is a Croatian county in western Slavonia. Its capital is Požega. Population: 85,831 .-Geography:The Požega-Slavonia county borders on the Bjelovar-Bilogora County in the northwest, Virovitica-Podravina County in the north, Osijek-Baranja County in the northeast,... |
60 | 0,07% |
| Virovitica-Podravina Virovitica-Podravina County Virovitica-Podravina county is a northern Slavonian county in Croatia. Its county seat is in Virovitica and it includes the area around the Drava river, hence the name Podravina... |
54 | 0,06% |
| Vukovar-Syrmia Vukovar-Syrmia County Vukovar-Syrmia county is the easternmost Croatian county. It includes the eastern parts of Slavonia and western parts of Syrmia regions; but also the lower Sava river basin .... |
124 | 0,06% |
| 10 most populated cities with Macedonians | |||
| No | City | Macedonians | % |
| 1 | Zagreb | 1315 | 0,17 |
| 2 | Rijeka | 320 | 0,22 |
| 3 | Split | 280 | 0,15 |
| 4 | Pula | 229 | 0,39 |
| 5 | Osijek | 178 | 0,16 |
| 6 | Zadar | 87 | 0,12 |
| 7 | Karlovac | 71 | 0,12 |
| 8 | Sisak | 62 | 0,12 |
| 9 | Velika Gorica | 59 | 0,09 |
| 10 | Dubrovnik | 49 | 0,11 |
Notable Macedonian Croatians
- Ordan PetlevskiOrdan PetlevskiOrdan Petlevski was a prominent artist working in the media of painting, drawing, graphic arts and illustration....
- Ljupka Dimitrovska - singer
- Kostadinka Velkovska - actor