[Hegumen]

Originally Posted by vaskar

People there have been told that are the descendants of Alexander the Great.

Who has been 'telling' them?

Originally Posted by vaskar

However, that is not the case, since ancient Macedonians were Greeks.

You know it's not that simple.

Originally Posted by vaskar

(not slavic)

No, because the Slavs arrived long after the fall of Macedon. Greeks will often use this as evidence as to why todays ethnic Macedonians cannot be related to those of antiquity.

Macedonians never claim not to be, at least part, of Slavic origin and have never claimed the ancient Macedonians were Slavs (although some national mystics have tried to show ancient Macedonian influence in the modern language).

Originally Posted by vaskar

In fact i cant understand how a nation can have a title that represents its unity since the word macedonia is a greek word (means the land that is located northwards).

And the name Russia is supposedly of Norse origins.

Originally Posted by vaskar

I think there would not be such a conflicion if it was only for the name.

Yeah, sure. Whatever you say.

Originally Posted by vaskar

as a matter of fact people are convinced that they are the ancestors of Alexander

The people know they are of part ancient extraction. This is not something completely unbelievable. On the other hand, it is when some Greeks claim they are the exact people as those of antiquity.

Originally Posted by vaskar

and there are everywhere in fyrom statues of Alexander the Great.

As far as I know, there are only one or two which have been donated by Macedonian expats.

Originally Posted by vaskar

Also people keep a hostile stance towards Greece.

Do you really blame them? After the trade embargo, vetos and such I think it's more than fair to to resent such a government, especially a neighboring one.

The same government that denies their families just across the border many basic civil rights you or I might to take for granted.

Originally Posted by vaskar

see this Greek Lie: Modern Greeks are Descended from the Ancient Greeks by Risto Stefov

He is to us what Dimosthenis Liakopoulos is for you. He does, however, make a few very good points.

Originally Posted by vaskar

So, it is not only because of the name. Is just because somebody is trying to steal your past, your history, your identity.

We cannot steal your identity because our identity formed independently in a process very much like the other Balkan peoples'.

Originally Posted by vaskar

In a few words the whole story is a nonsense.

You don't say.

Originally Posted by vaskar

There is not a single clue indicating that ancient Macedonians were Slavs and not a single clue that ancient Macedonians were speaking in Slav.

I've already addressed this, but... this is not a commonly held belief nor is it taught in Macedonian schools.

Originally Posted by vaskar

I think that some people living there apparently have macedonian (greek) origins but we are not talking about origins but history.

Origins, history and identity all overlap.

Originally Posted by vaskar

if fyrom is recognised as Macedonia then in 100 years everybody will know about the Slav Alexander the Great and his huge achievements.

Hardly. You guys have made sure nothing of the sort will ever happen. And again, this is not something the Republic of Macedonia is attempting to achieve.

The Republic of Macedonia is attempting to build up the country to a standard acceptable in Europe and indeed of what is expected of a modern country. For us, it is not really a matter of history or who was what, but rather to protect our sovereignty and advance in the world.

Originally Posted by vaskar

i will make it simple macedonia is a greek word with a greek meaning. Find another word to name your country.

The etymology of the word itself is completely irrelevant.

Originally Posted by Superstar

Officially, since WW2, the country currently known as FYROM was called Macedonia.

This depends on your definition of "official".

The country's constitutional name is the Republic of Macedonia. Most countries have recognized it as such and use the full name instead of the common name (simply "Macedonia") to avoid ambiguity.

The name FYROM is temporary and it's purpose is just that: to serve as a temporary name for the country in the UN until an agreement has been made between the Republic of Macedonia and Greece.

Originally Posted by Superstar

Maybe the country should be called "New Macedonia"

As opposed to "Old Macedonia" in Greece, a group of peripheries renamed to Macedonia in the past 20-odd years?

Originally Posted by agamemnon

The vast majority of the Greek population had no idea that there was an area in Jugoslavia called Macedonia.

Is that why Greek schoolbooks (pre-90s) referred to the country as Macedonia?

Originally Posted by agamemnon

Can you please tell us what teachers teach , and history books say about the history of FYROM at your scools?

There's a lot of focus on modern history (i.e. the partisan movement during WWII.) Ancient history is mostly about Egypt, Rome, etc. while a small portion is allocated to Macedonia. Alexander's Macedonians are referred to as a distant ancient peoples who are an important chapter in the history of the country. I doubt you'll find a textbook that says today's Macedonians are directly related to the ancient peoples. They do usually make strong connection between the medieval Slavs in the region and today's people.

Originally Posted by Superstar

we were never told that we were descendants from Alexander.

Because he and his kingdom were already a part of our rich oral tradition.

Originally Posted by Ostrogorski

Macedonia could enter the union with Serbia, in that case we could join forces and fight the American backed Albanians with the help of Russia a lot easier. Macedonians could keep their identity and autonomy without problem.

At the risk of sounding like a traitor to my fellow countrymen I agree with Ostrogorski. A union with Serbia could very well be what saves the European character of the country.