LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY IN 1821

LANGUAGE AND IDENTITY IN 1821

Language and identity are closely related. Without language there is no identity and there is no identity without a language; such an identity is worthless. That is why the struggle for a language is a constant and a priority. As it does in every nation, language played an important role in the Greek state. The language that was adopted for the new Greek people was first utilized by Orthodoxy and trade. Then, with the organization of the state’s education system, it played a major role in the unification of the fragmented social groups in the Greek state. The language was the tool that created a common culture by which the nation identified. The language also contributed to the enlightenment of the revolutionary leaders who eventually won freedom and independence. Ioannis Kapodistrias, the first president of this new state, understood this even during the first year of the “heroic war” when, seeking to lay the foundation of the state, he opened a university and other schools which, at the time, played an important role in the development of war-torn Greece. Language and education are elements that have the power to unite the community and align the nation. We can freely say that education was the Greek state’s strength in the beginning. Greek schools were the real winners.

What identifies the national unity of a society? It’s culture of course! What then should identify the culture? Language of course! As it is now, that too was achieved and it opened the doors wide to progress. All who participated in one way or another in the Greek education

system were and still are Greeks. The Isocratic concept, an open nationalistic concept of the 19th century, different from that of the 20th century but similar to the biological continuity concept professed by Fallmerayer’s theory, was wide open and beautiful. A typical example of that beauty and acceptance was the men’s dress worn in the Balkans, and only by the Albanians. (And what about the Macedonian dress? Were the Macedonians not integrated into the Greek nation… Yet? S.G).

The same Albanian dress and moccasins with pompons are worn even today by the Greek presidential guard.

In addition to the discussions offered, toward the end of the events that revealed the creation of a new and civilized spirit in the false Greek history, the documentary participants from the Greek side continued with conciliatory and flexible language.

“We are looking at this issue from the inside in order to find information that will allow flexibility for compromise. We believe that flexibility is needed for every nation to find suitable ways to personalize new circumstances. And perhaps in this lies our conscience that prevails today in Greece, passing through many changes and personalizing our way through time. Our adjustment has reached a high level. Even the Romei permitted us to officially call them by that name. Not just the children of Greeks and their descendants but also the modern Greeks.” (What about the Macedonians? Why are they not permitted to be called Macedonians? S. G.)

For this occasion it is worth mentioning the words of poet Giorgos Sefaris, spoken during the award ceremonies when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Stockholm in December 1963. He said: “I don’t want to say that we have the same blood as the ancient Greeks, because I hate racist theories. But I do want to say that we live in the same country that they lived in and saw the same mountains they saw which end in the same sea.”

“Almost a century and a half has passed since 1821. Two Balkan and two world wars have also passed since we, according to the words of poet Sefaris, have renewed our Greek identity on an

international level with a modern definition and, if there is something for which to be proud, it is the following: the place where we live, our history, the ability to decide our own destiny as much as possible. Finally, this was not possible without our 1821 Revolution, without struggle, without ideas for our future, without our legends. How we use this freedom depends on us. But there must be benefits for our patriotism, love for the place we live in, to shed just or unjust blood with respect and, above all, to enjoy the revival of our country, today’s modern Greece.”

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Our views

It took great courage for the participants in this scientific debate to present the truth about the foundations of today’s Greek state. They deserve our attention and respect but the story will be complete and even more credible if today’s Greek politicians accept the bitter truth about themselves and extend a hand to the Macedonian people as a sign of peace and broader neighbourly relations.

The truth is slowly coming to light and there is no need to “negotiate” our name. Macedonia has never been part of Greece and our history is ours alone as theirs is only theirs.

Macedonian politicians and scientists have the opportunity to defend the honour and dignity of the Macedonian people from injustice and humiliation. The Macedonian people have suffered greatly from the true thieves of history; only if they know how much and why. The chance to find out has been given to them. Therefore we Macedonians need to accept this challenge because the dishonored conscience of our enemies is eating away at their souls and they pray for forgiveness.

Sotir Grozdanovski October 13, 2015 Brooklyn, New York, USA