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In December 2023, Eugenia Natsoulidou, founding member of the Greece-based NPO Macedonian Movement to Promote Mother Language "Krste Misirkov," joined over 100 participants from 20 nations at the “Forum of European Minority Regions: Minority Languages and the Labour Market,” organized by the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) in Poland.
This influential gathering champions the rights of diverse linguistic communities across the continent, including the culturally sidelined community of Macedonian speakers in Greece.
Below are highlights of Natsoulidou's remarks during the Forum in Poland.
Hidden Voices, Lost Potential
While Greece borders four neighboring nations - Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, and Turkey – it ignores its internal minorities, particularly the Macedonian linguistic community.
The Macedonian language, spoken by tens of thousands within its borders, is denied official recognition. Schools offer no instruction, and successive governments remain indifferent to complaints that cultural cognitive dissonance is occurring.
Lost in Translation, Buried in Bureaucracy
The stark reality in Greece is that even a culinary gem like "Ajvar" gets relegated to the bland moniker "Pepper and Eggplant sauce" for fear of acknowledging its Macedonian roots.
The consequences are undeniable - lost revenue, stifled tourism, and an economy missing out on the richness of multilingual diversity.
From Melodies Muzzled to Music Unchained
Traditional Macedonian music, once silenced with arrests and court summons, now occasionally finds its way into public spaces, albeit primarily at weddings and private events. This fragile progress highlights the resilience of the Macedonian spirit and the power of cultural expression.
Beyond Borders, a Chorus for Change
The FUEN Forum serves as a crucial platform for amplifying the plight of marginalized languages like Macedonian. By showcasing the economic benefits of bilingualism and the vibrant tapestry of Europe's diverse tongues, it pushes for policies championing inclusivity and respect for cultural identity.
A Call to Listen, to Learn, to Act
Greece's hidden minorities deserve to be heard. That is why UMD partnered with the NPO Macedonian Movement to Promote Mother Language "Krste Misirkov" and held the first-ever Solun Human Rights Forum in October 2023 to urge Greek authorities to embrace the richness of their linguistic heritage.
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