Browse News & events from 2016 from the Canadian Macedonian Heritage Society archive, library and community collections.
Celebrating 25 Years - 1991-2016 On Saturday November 12th, 2016 the CMHS will be celebrating "25 Years" in serving the Macedonian community in Canada. The Gala will be held at St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral. Tickets are ...
On a Sunday in September, the Canadian Macedonian Historical Society hosted "Zaedno Alex… One More Time!" at the University of Toronto to celebrate the remarkable life and legacy of Dr. Alex Gigeroff. The event showcased Gigeroff’s multifaceted contributions as a philosopher, historian, criminal lawyer, and artist, featuring an exhibition of his vibrant paintings and copies of his book, Baba’s Macedonian Socks. Family, friends, and distinguished guests—including his son, artist Andre Haines, and Judge Barry Stuart—shared poignant stories of Alex’s intellectual energy, his passionate advocacy for Macedonian identity, and his unique "rules for life," which encouraged others to live dangerously and seek justice. The celebration concluded with a traditional oro dance, embodying Alex’s lifelong philosophy of "Zaedno" (Togetherness) and his enduring belief that life should be lived with color, music, and a commitment to one's roots.
On a warm May day, the Canadian Macedonian Historical Society officially opened a professionally curated museum within the Canadian Macedonian Place to preserve and showcase the rich heritage of the Macedonian community. Led by committee head Despina Bursey and supported by experts James and Dena Nicoloff, the museum features a meticulously documented collection of artifacts—including century-old costumes, hand-stitched baby blankets, and traditional dance items—donated by the community since 1991. The auspicious opening, which included a blessing by Metropolitan Metodij and the presence of Consul General Jovica Palasevski, marked a significant milestone in ensuring that the history and craftsmanship of all three regions of Macedonia are preserved and accessible for future generations to honor.
In April 2016, the Canadian Macedonian Historical Society hosted a lecture by Professor Andrew Rossos on Metodija Andonov-Čento, the first president of ASNOM and a pivotal figure in the "Macedonian Question" of 1946. A "National Communist" who fought for a unified, sovereign Macedonia with the constitutional right to secede from Yugoslavia, Čento was ultimately purged by the Belgrade-led regime, imprisoned for over a decade, and erased from history books until Macedonia's independence in 1991. The presentation highlighted his transition from a suppressed political martyr—whose name was once spoken only in whispers—to a celebrated national patriot whose legacy is now honored with a prominent monument in Skopje.
