Macedonians of Albania
Encyclopedia
Macedonians
of Albania
are an officially recognized ethnic minority
in Albania. In the 1989 census, 4,697 people declared themselves Macedonian. The condition of the Macedonian population living in the Prespa area is described in positive terms and particular praise is given since all the villages of the area have classes in their mother tongue. Macedonian organizations allege that the government undercounts their number and that they are politically under-represented, arguing there are no Macedonians in the Albanian parliament. Past Helsinki reports stated, "Albania recognizes [...] a Macedonian minority, but only in the Southern regions. Those who identify as Macedonians [...] outside these minority regions are denied the minority rights granted in the south, including minority classes at state schools."
, Golo Brdo
, Debar Pole
, Korce
, Pogradec
and Gora
areas.
.
The following villages are inhabited by the Macedonian minority.
. Many Macedonians can be found in Bilisht
and in the village of Vernik , which is the only Macedonian inhabited village in Albania considered to form apart of Aegean Macedonia
. Macedonian populations can also be found in the villages of Sueci and Zagradeci .
, whilst in the vicinity of the city, in the villages of Boboshtice and Drenove
, the remnants of a much more numerous Macedonian speaking population can be found. The Korca dialect of Macedonian is used by the Macedonian inhabitants of this region.
as well as in the village of Lin
, where they constitute the majority population. The Macedonians of Lin speak the Vevčani-Radožda dialect of Macedonian. To the north of Lin, the village of Rrajcë
is inhabited by Macedonian Muslims
.
, however there are significant minorities of Orthodox Macedonians and Albanians
.
Macedonian populations can be found in the following places:
. Several mixed Orthodox-Macedonian, Muslim-Macedonian and Albanian villages can be found in this region. They include
region are known as Torbeš
, whose number has been estimated at c. 40,000 - 120,000. External estimates on the population of Macedonians in Albania include 10,000, whereas Macedonian sources have claimed 120,000 - 350,000 Macedonians in Albania
Despite high levels of emigration the official number of people registering as Macedonians in Albania has nearly doubled over the last 50 years:
, one eight-year school in Dolna Gorica
and six elementary schools in Djellas, Lajthize, Zaroshke, Gorna Gorica
, Kallamas
and Globočani
. There are eight-year schools at the two biggest villages of the commune, Liqenas
and Gorice e Madhe
, where 20 percent of the texts are held at the mother tongue language. At the centre of the commune there is a high school as well. The history of the Macedonian people is a special subject at the school. All minority schools have twin partnerships with counterparts in Macedonia. All the teaching personnel is local and with the proper education.
, Macedonian Society Ilinden Tirana, Prespa
, Mir
(Peace), Bratstvo
(Brotherhood) and the MED (Macedonian Aegean Society).
. The party has had significant electoral success with the Macedonians in Albania. In 2007 Edmond Temelko was elected to the position of Mayor of Liqenas, and was reelected to this position in 2011. In 2011 Edmond Osmani narrowly missed out being elected as Mayor of Trebište
, however 5 Macedonian counsellors were elected in Pustec, 3 in Trebisht
, 2 in Bilisht
and another in Pirg
.
or Muslim
. The Macedonian Muslims
can be found primarily in the Golo Brdo, Gora and Peshkopi regions, with smaller populations in the South of the country in places such as Rajca, etc. There are however substantial Orthodox Macedonian minorities in both the Golo Brdo and Peshkopi regions. In the south of the country around Mala Prespa, Pogradec, Korce and Bilisht, the Macedonians are almost exclusively Orthodox.
The Community is currently in the process of building the first of many Macedonian Orthodox
Churches . The Church 'St. Michael the Archangel' was started in the early 2000s. A new church is that of Saint Mary for which a considerable funding has been given by the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
broadcasts the Fote Nikola program which comprises news bulletins and songs in Macedonian for the Macedonian minority in Albania for half an hour each day. On November 7, 2002 the first private Macedonian language radio station was set up. It is known as "Radio Prespa".
representatives are Macedonian. The mayor of Pustec/Liqenas is Edmond Vangjel Themelko according to 2007 local elections. He is a Macedonian. There are Macedonians represented in the districts of Zvezda and Gorna Gorica
.
In March 2009, the Commission for Minority Issues of the Foreign Ministry of Albania announced the results of its study about the national minorities in the country. According to the study, there are 4,148 Macedonians (0.14% of the total population) living in the country. The mayor of Liqenas
(Pustec) Edmond Temelko criticised the report and said that "this number once again proves that the Albanian Government denies the existence of the Macedonian minority". He stated that the population of Liqenas, which is mainly populated by ethnic Macedonians, is even 5,300 and that the Macedonian minority in Albania makes up 150,000. The ethnic Macedonian organisations of Albania announced they will complain at Albanian institutions and international organisations.
Macedonians (ethnic group)
The Macedonians also referred to as Macedonian Slavs: "... the term Slavomacedonian was introduced and was accepted by the community itself, which at the time had a much more widespread non-Greek Macedonian ethnic consciousness...
of Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
are an officially recognized ethnic minority
in Albania. In the 1989 census, 4,697 people declared themselves Macedonian. The condition of the Macedonian population living in the Prespa area is described in positive terms and particular praise is given since all the villages of the area have classes in their mother tongue. Macedonian organizations allege that the government undercounts their number and that they are politically under-represented, arguing there are no Macedonians in the Albanian parliament. Past Helsinki reports stated, "Albania recognizes [...] a Macedonian minority, but only in the Southern regions. Those who identify as Macedonians [...] outside these minority regions are denied the minority rights granted in the south, including minority classes at state schools."
Areas inhabited by Macedonians
Most Macedonians live in the Mala PrespaMala Prespa and Golo Brdo
Prespa e Vogël and Golloborda , refers to a geographical area situated in southeastern Albania. This region consists of two areas: Prespa e Vogël and Golloborda...
, Golo Brdo
Mala Prespa and Golo Brdo
Prespa e Vogël and Golloborda , refers to a geographical area situated in southeastern Albania. This region consists of two areas: Prespa e Vogël and Golloborda...
, Debar Pole
Dibër District
The District of Dibër is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Dibër County. It has a population of 62,825, and an area of 1088 km². It is in the north-east of the country, and its capital is Peshkopi....
, Korce
Korçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
, Pogradec
Pogradec
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about...
and Gora
Gora
Gora may refer to:*Gora , a clan of Jats found in north India*Gora or gaura, a Hindi and Indo-Aryan word for a light-skinned person*Gora , by Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore...
areas.
Mala Prespa
Macedonians are only officially recognised as a minority population in Liqenas Municipality, on the shores of Lake PrespaLake Prespa
Prespa is the name of two freshwater lakes in southeast Europe, shared by Greece, Albania, and Macedonia. Of the total surface area, belongs to Macedonia, to Greece and to Albania...
.
The following villages are inhabited by the Macedonian minority.
- LiqenasLiqenasKomuna Liqenas is a municipality in the Korçë District of Albania. It has a population of c.4300 and consists of nine villages, comprising the areas along the Albanian, south-western shore of the Greater Prespa lake...
- Lajthize
- Zaroshke
- CerjaCerja-Demographics:...
- Diellas
- GollomboçGollomboçGollomboç is a village in the Mala Prespa, Albania, Municipality Pustec , Korçë District.- History :The "La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne" survey by Dimitar Mishev Gollomboç is a village in the Mala Prespa, Albania, Municipality Pustec (Liqenas), Korçë District.- History :The "La...
- Goricë e VogëlGoricë e VogëlGoricë e Vogël is a village in the Mala Prespa, Albania, District Pustec, Korçë District....
- Goricë e MadheGoricë e MadhëGoricë e Madhe is a village in the Mala Prespa, Albania, District Pustec, Korçë District.-History:Goricë is the location of a fortified town called Pellion of the Ancient Greek tribe of the Dexaroi that was later a Macedonian fortress.-Demographics:...
- KallamasKallamasKallamas is a village in the Korçë District, Albania. According to Yugoslav sources from 1981, the village was populated exclusively by Macedonians....
Bilisht Region
Macedonians also inhabit the region to the South of Lake Prespa, known as DevollDevoll District
The District of Devoll is one of the thirty-six districts of Albania, part of Korçë County and derives its name from the Devoll river flowing through the valley. It has a population of 33,785, and an area of 429 km². It is in the southeastern corner of the country, and its capital is Bilisht...
. Many Macedonians can be found in Bilisht
Bilisht
Bilisht is a city of about 12,000 people. It is the local capital of Devoll District, south-eastern Albania. The city is 9 km from the border with Greece at Kapshticë. The closest Greek town across the border is Krystallopigi in the Florina Prefecture. Bilisht is at about 800–850 meters above...
and in the village of Vernik , which is the only Macedonian inhabited village in Albania considered to form apart of Aegean Macedonia
Aegean Macedonia
Aegean Macedonia is a term that refers to the Greek region of Macedonia. It is currently mainly used in the Republic of Macedonia, including in the irredentist context of a United Macedonia. The term is also used in Bulgaria as the more common synonym for Greek Macedonia, without the connotations...
. Macedonian populations can also be found in the villages of Sueci and Zagradeci .
Korce Region
A significant Macedonian population exists in KorceKorçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
, whilst in the vicinity of the city, in the villages of Boboshtice and Drenove
Drenovë
Drenovë is a municipality in the Korçë District, Korçë County, southeastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Drenovë, Mborje, Boboshticë, Moravë, Qatrom, Ravonik, Turan and Dardhë.-History:...
, the remnants of a much more numerous Macedonian speaking population can be found. The Korca dialect of Macedonian is used by the Macedonian inhabitants of this region.
Lake Ohrid region
Macedonians can be found in the city of PogradecPogradec
Pogradec is a city in southeastern Albania, situated on the shores of Ohrid lake. It is the capital of the District of Pogradec, in the County of Korçë, located at 40.87°N and 20.70°E with a population of around 30,000 . The total area of the district is 725 km². Pogradec alone occupies about...
as well as in the village of Lin
Lin, Korçë
Lin is a village in Pogradec District, Korçë County, Albania.-Demography:Lin is home to an officially unrecognised Macedonian Christian majority population and an Albanian Muslim minority population.-Dialect:...
, where they constitute the majority population. The Macedonians of Lin speak the Vevčani-Radožda dialect of Macedonian. To the north of Lin, the village of Rrajcë
Rrajcë
Rrajcë is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Bardhaj, Katjel, Kotodesh, Rrajcë, Skenderbe, Sutaj and Urake.-Demography:...
is inhabited by Macedonian Muslims
Macedonian Muslims
The Macedonian Muslims , also known as Muslim Macedonians, Torbeš, ; , in older sources Pomaks are a minority religious group within the community of ethnic Macedonians who are Muslims...
.
Golo Brdo
Macedonians also form the majority population in the Golo Brdo region. The majority of the inhabitants of Golo Brdo are Macedonian MuslimsMacedonian Muslims
The Macedonian Muslims , also known as Muslim Macedonians, Torbeš, ; , in older sources Pomaks are a minority religious group within the community of ethnic Macedonians who are Muslims...
, however there are significant minorities of Orthodox Macedonians and Albanians
Albanians
Albanians are a nation and ethnic group native to Albania and neighbouring countries. They speak the Albanian language. More than half of all Albanians live in Albania and Kosovo...
.
Macedonian populations can be found in the following places:
- Borovë - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians and Albanians.
- Gjinovec - Inhabited by Orthodox and Muslim Macedonians
- Golovisht - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians
- KlenjeKlenjeKlenje is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Bogatić municipality, in the Mačva District. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 3,253 people ....
- Inhabited by Orthodox and Muslim Macedonians - Kojovec - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians
- Lladomericë - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians
- Libolesh - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians
- Miresh - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians
- MogliceMoglicëMoglicë is a municipality in the Korçë District, Korçë County, southeastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Moglicë, Gopesh, Dobërçan, Maliq-Opar, Gurkuq, Bardhas, Zerec, Dushar, Torovec, Shpatmal, Peshtan, Lumaj, Protopapë, Osojë, Gurshqipe, Kucakë and Nikollarë....
- Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians. - Orzhanovë - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians
- Ostren i MadeOstrenOstren is a municipality in the Bulqizë District, Dibër County, eastern Albania.-Demographics:Ostren is inhabited by a Macedonian Muslim majority, and an Orthodox Macedonian minority, both of whom are officially unrecognised by the Albanian government....
- Inhabited by Orthodox and Muslim Macedonians - Ostren i VogelOstrenOstren is a municipality in the Bulqizë District, Dibër County, eastern Albania.-Demographics:Ostren is inhabited by a Macedonian Muslim majority, and an Orthodox Macedonian minority, both of whom are officially unrecognised by the Albanian government....
- Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians - PasinkaPašinkaPašinka is a village and municipality in Kolín District in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. -References:*This article was initially translated from the Czech Wikipedia....
- Inhabited by Orthodox and Muslim Macedonians - Prodan - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians.
- Sebisht - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians and Albanians.
- Smoliku - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians and Albanians.
- SteblevëSteblevëSteblevë is a municipality in the Librazhd District, Elbasan County, eastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Borove, Llange, Moglice, Prodan, Sebisht, Steblevë and Zabzun.-Demographics:...
- Inhabited by Orthodox and Muslim Macedonians - TërbaçTërbaç-World War II:During World War II Tërbaç was part of the battlefield of the battle of Gjorm, where Albanian resistance units defeated and routed the troops of the Kingdom of Italy.Tërbaç is a community in the Vlorë District, southwestern Albania....
- Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians - TrebishtTrebishtTrebisht is a municipality in the Bulqizë District, Dibër County, eastern Albania.-Demographics:Trebisht is inhabited solely by Orthodox Macedonians and Macedonian Muslims, who do not have official recognition from the Albanian government.-Education:...
- Inhabited by Orthodox and Muslim Macedonians - TuçepTučepTučep is a village/settlement in the Istok municipality of Kosovo, Serbia.The village was a predominantly Serb village. In the war in 1999 the Serbs got displaced, but returned subsequently. However they face harassment, and lack of electricity....
- Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians - Vernice - Inhabited by Orthodox Macedonians
- Viçisht - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians
- Zabzun - Inhabited by Muslim Macedonians and Albanians.
Dolno Pole
The area known as Dolno Pole is mainly the area surrounding the modern town of PeshkopiPeshkopi
Peshkopi is a city in Dibër District, Dibër County, northeastern Albania.It is located away from Tirana, the capital of Albania, and from the Macedonian border. It is situated at 41°40'N and 20°25'. It sits above sea level. In the 2004 census, there were approximately 14,100 residents. It is...
. Several mixed Orthodox-Macedonian, Muslim-Macedonian and Albanian villages can be found in this region. They include
- Dovolan
- HerebelHerebelHerebel is a settlement in the municipality Maqellarë, Dibër District, Dibër County, northeastern Albania. The village includes the St. Saviour's Church and the Halveti Teqe.-History:...
- Kërçishti i Poshtëm
- Kërçishti i Epërm
- MaqellarëMaqellarëMaqellarë is a municipality in the Dibër District, Dibër County, northeastern Albania.-Demographics:Maqellare is inhabited by both Albanians and Macedonians, the latter whom are not officially recognised by the Albanian government....
Gora
Many inhabitants of the GoraGora
Gora may refer to:*Gora , a clan of Jats found in north India*Gora or gaura, a Hindi and Indo-Aryan word for a light-skinned person*Gora , by Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore...
region are known as Torbeš
Macedonian Muslims
The Macedonian Muslims , also known as Muslim Macedonians, Torbeš, ; , in older sources Pomaks are a minority religious group within the community of ethnic Macedonians who are Muslims...
, whose number has been estimated at c. 40,000 - 120,000. External estimates on the population of Macedonians in Albania include 10,000, whereas Macedonian sources have claimed 120,000 - 350,000 Macedonians in Albania
Despite high levels of emigration the official number of people registering as Macedonians in Albania has nearly doubled over the last 50 years:
- 1950 - 2,273
- 1955 - 3,341
- 1960 - 4,235
- 1979 - 4,097
- 1989 - 4,697
Education
There is a general high school in LiqenasLiqenas
Komuna Liqenas is a municipality in the Korçë District of Albania. It has a population of c.4300 and consists of nine villages, comprising the areas along the Albanian, south-western shore of the Greater Prespa lake...
, one eight-year school in Dolna Gorica
Goricë e Vogël
Goricë e Vogël is a village in the Mala Prespa, Albania, District Pustec, Korçë District....
and six elementary schools in Djellas, Lajthize, Zaroshke, Gorna Gorica
Goricë e Madhë
Goricë e Madhe is a village in the Mala Prespa, Albania, District Pustec, Korçë District.-History:Goricë is the location of a fortified town called Pellion of the Ancient Greek tribe of the Dexaroi that was later a Macedonian fortress.-Demographics:...
, Kallamas
Kallamas
Kallamas is a village in the Korçë District, Albania. According to Yugoslav sources from 1981, the village was populated exclusively by Macedonians....
and Globočani
Gollomboç
Gollomboç is a village in the Mala Prespa, Albania, Municipality Pustec , Korçë District.- History :The "La Macédoine et sa Population Chrétienne" survey by Dimitar Mishev Gollomboç is a village in the Mala Prespa, Albania, Municipality Pustec (Liqenas), Korçë District.- History :The "La...
. There are eight-year schools at the two biggest villages of the commune, Liqenas
Liqenas
Komuna Liqenas is a municipality in the Korçë District of Albania. It has a population of c.4300 and consists of nine villages, comprising the areas along the Albanian, south-western shore of the Greater Prespa lake...
and Gorice e Madhe
Goricë e Madhë
Goricë e Madhe is a village in the Mala Prespa, Albania, District Pustec, Korçë District.-History:Goricë is the location of a fortified town called Pellion of the Ancient Greek tribe of the Dexaroi that was later a Macedonian fortress.-Demographics:...
, where 20 percent of the texts are held at the mother tongue language. At the centre of the commune there is a high school as well. The history of the Macedonian people is a special subject at the school. All minority schools have twin partnerships with counterparts in Macedonia. All the teaching personnel is local and with the proper education.
Macedonian organizations
In September 1991 the "Bratska" Political Association of Macedonian in Albania (BPAMA) was established. Other Macedonian organizations include Macedonian Alliance for European IntegrationMacedonian Alliance for European Integration
The Macedonian Alliance for European Integration is a political party of the ethnic Macedonians in Albania. It was established on 30 October 2004 under the name Macedonian Alliance for European Integration and was registered as a political party on 8 June 2005.-First Party Congress:The first...
, Macedonian Society Ilinden Tirana, Prespa
Prespa
Prespa is a region in Republic of Macedonia. It shares the same name with the two Prespa lakes which are situated in the middle of the region. The largest town is Resen with 9,000 inhabitants....
, Mir
Mir
Mir was a space station operated in low Earth orbit from 1986 to 2001, at first by the Soviet Union and then by Russia. Assembled in orbit from 1986 to 1996, Mir was the first modular space station and had a greater mass than that of any previous spacecraft, holding the record for the...
(Peace), Bratstvo
Bratstvo
Bratstvo may refer to:*FK Bratstvo Bratunac, Bosnia and Herzegovina football club*FK Bratstvo Cijevna, Montenegrin football club*NK Bratstvo Gračanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina football club*FK Bratstvo Krnjača, Serbian football club...
(Brotherhood) and the MED (Macedonian Aegean Society).
Politics
The Macedonians in Albanian are represented by the Macedonian Alliance for European IntegrationMacedonian Alliance for European Integration
The Macedonian Alliance for European Integration is a political party of the ethnic Macedonians in Albania. It was established on 30 October 2004 under the name Macedonian Alliance for European Integration and was registered as a political party on 8 June 2005.-First Party Congress:The first...
. The party has had significant electoral success with the Macedonians in Albania. In 2007 Edmond Temelko was elected to the position of Mayor of Liqenas, and was reelected to this position in 2011. In 2011 Edmond Osmani narrowly missed out being elected as Mayor of Trebište
Trebisht
Trebisht is a municipality in the Bulqizë District, Dibër County, eastern Albania.-Demographics:Trebisht is inhabited solely by Orthodox Macedonians and Macedonian Muslims, who do not have official recognition from the Albanian government.-Education:...
, however 5 Macedonian counsellors were elected in Pustec, 3 in Trebisht
Trebisht
Trebisht is a municipality in the Bulqizë District, Dibër County, eastern Albania.-Demographics:Trebisht is inhabited solely by Orthodox Macedonians and Macedonian Muslims, who do not have official recognition from the Albanian government.-Education:...
, 2 in Bilisht
Bilisht
Bilisht is a city of about 12,000 people. It is the local capital of Devoll District, south-eastern Albania. The city is 9 km from the border with Greece at Kapshticë. The closest Greek town across the border is Krystallopigi in the Florina Prefecture. Bilisht is at about 800–850 meters above...
and another in Pirg
Pirg
Pirg is a municipality in the Korçë District, Korçë County, southeastern Albania. The municipality consists of the villages Pirg, Gurishtë, Zvirinë, Leminot, Qershizë, Kakaç, Shqitas, Veliternë, Sovjan, Novoselë and Bubuq....
.
Religion
The Macedonians in Albania are primarily OrthodoxMacedonian 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...
or Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
. The Macedonian Muslims
Macedonian Muslims
The Macedonian Muslims , also known as Muslim Macedonians, Torbeš, ; , in older sources Pomaks are a minority religious group within the community of ethnic Macedonians who are Muslims...
can be found primarily in the Golo Brdo, Gora and Peshkopi regions, with smaller populations in the South of the country in places such as Rajca, etc. There are however substantial Orthodox Macedonian minorities in both the Golo Brdo and Peshkopi regions. In the south of the country around Mala Prespa, Pogradec, Korce and Bilisht, the Macedonians are almost exclusively Orthodox.
The Community is currently in the process of building the first of many Macedonian Orthodox
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...
Churches . The Church 'St. Michael the Archangel' was started in the early 2000s. A new church is that of Saint Mary for which a considerable funding has been given by the Macedonian Orthodox Church.
Radio
The local radio of KorçëKorçë
Korçë is a city in southeastern Albania and the capital of the Korçë District. It has a population of around 105,000 people , making it the sixth largest city in Albania...
broadcasts the Fote Nikola program which comprises news bulletins and songs in Macedonian for the Macedonian minority in Albania for half an hour each day. On November 7, 2002 the first private Macedonian language radio station was set up. It is known as "Radio Prespa".
Television
The local TV station has also released programs from the Republic of Macedonia. In November, 2010, the first Macedonian television station, Television Kristal , was officially launched.Print Media
Numerous forms of Macedonian language print media serve the needs of the Macedonians living in Albania. In the early 1990's the first Macedonian language periodical known as Mir (Peace) emerged. Later still the newspaper Prespa , began to be pubslished by Macedonians living in the Mala Prespa region. The Macedonian newspaper 'Ilinden' was launched in April, 2011, by Macedonians living in Tirana.Representation in Government
At present there is no Macedonian in the Albanian Parliament. But many of the Local GovernmentLocal government
Local government refers collectively to administrative authorities over areas that are smaller than a state.The term is used to contrast with offices at nation-state level, which are referred to as the central government, national government, or federal government...
representatives are Macedonian. The mayor of Pustec/Liqenas is Edmond Vangjel Themelko according to 2007 local elections. He is a Macedonian. There are Macedonians represented in the districts of Zvezda and Gorna Gorica
Goricë e Madhë
Goricë e Madhe is a village in the Mala Prespa, Albania, District Pustec, Korçë District.-History:Goricë is the location of a fortified town called Pellion of the Ancient Greek tribe of the Dexaroi that was later a Macedonian fortress.-Demographics:...
.
2009 minority study
Liqenas
Komuna Liqenas is a municipality in the Korçë District of Albania. It has a population of c.4300 and consists of nine villages, comprising the areas along the Albanian, south-western shore of the Greater Prespa lake...
(Pustec) Edmond Temelko criticised the report and said that "this number once again proves that the Albanian Government denies the existence of the Macedonian minority". He stated that the population of Liqenas, which is mainly populated by ethnic Macedonians, is even 5,300 and that the Macedonian minority in Albania makes up 150,000. The ethnic Macedonian organisations of Albania announced they will complain at Albanian institutions and international organisations.
Notable Macedonians from Albania
- Koçi XoxeKoçi XoxeKoçi Xoxe was the Defence and Interior Minister of Albania for some time under Enver Hoxha. According to different sources, he was an ethnic Macedonian or ethnic Bulgarian from Aegean Macedonia and was initially a tinsmith....
- Former Defence and Interior Minister of Albania - Edmond Themelko - Mayor of the Pustec Commune, Politician and Ethnic Macedonian activist
- Ilinden Spasse - Macedonian language Writer and Poet
- Sterjo SpasseSterjo SpasseSterjo Spasse is a notable Albanian writer of Macedonian descent.-Life:Born in 1914 in Gollomboç, Liqenas Municipality, Korçë District, Albania, Spasse pursued the elementary school in Korçë, and later, the Shkolla Normale e Elbasanit. He worked as a teacher in Derviçan, in the Dropull region, and...
- Writer
See also
- Macedonian Party
- Albanians in the Republic of MacedoniaAlbanians in the Republic of MacedoniaAlbanians are the largest ethnic minority in the Republic of Macedonia. Of the 2,022,547 citizens of Macedonia, 509,083, or 25%, are Albanian according to the latest national census in 2002. The Albanian minority lives mostly in the north-western part of the country...
- Bulgarians in AlbaniaBulgarians in AlbaniaEthnic Bulgarians in present-day Albania live mostly in the areas of Mala Prespa and Golo Bardo. In the 1989 census a total of 782 people claimed either Romanian, Bulgarian or Czechoslovakian nationality. The US Department of State background note for Albania, dated 4 January 2011 further reported...
External links
- Macedonian Society Ilinden - Tirana
- Macedonian Aliance for European Integration
- Albanian Helsinki Committee report on the Macedonians in Albania
- Ilinden Newspaper
- Latest Edition of the Prespa Newspaper
- Osce report of Minorities in Albania
- Republic of Albania
- ODIHR
- Photos of Macedonians in Albania