Browse Tagged “Canada” from the Canadian Macedonian Heritage Society archive, library and community collections.
Dear Macedonia, land of mountains Land of villages You have known wars, occupations Bitter Church struggles and cultural pillages. Motherland of my Father And his Fathers before him By inheritance you are my Grandmother And in spirit we are kin. Though my eyes have never seen you Or my feet walked throughout your land I make this promise Baba Makedonija One day on your soil I will stand. My Father emigrated at ...
Canada you are indeed a land and nation of immigrants Many people heard you call and they came. Macedonians left their beloved homeland Your hopes and opportunities to claim. You invited them; come Aegean, come Pirin, come Vardar Come you resilient and strong peoples. Leave Macedonia, as children will someday leave the home. Come have families, build homes, build businesses, build churches with their steeples. You ...
Ilinden was the day chosen for the uprising of the people When, the Fathers of modern Macedonia With their brave compatriots Rose to throw off the Turkish yoke. Formed in the fire of revolution, self awareness as a nation Ilinden the forge, Macedonia the anvil, Freedom the hammer Macedonia for Macedonians was their rallying cry Of their resolve for independence, their martyrdom spoke. For a few historic days, the ...
Introduction; The master artist sets down his paint brush and steps back, satisfied It is the last brushstroke of the millions that precede this final act of applying his trade. With a sense of resignation he lowers boxes of paints and brushes, adhesives, gold leaf protractors and compasses along with a stool and benches, from the top of the scaffolding to the ground. He climbs down, how many times has he ascended ...
People in the villiage of Dumbene saved enough money to send three boys to the United States. In 1909, my father, Demitri “Jim” Kondoff, was among the three boys. They were taken to Solun where they boarded a ship for New York. My father and his companions were not allowed to enter the United States. Without money to return to Europe, the ship’s captain had his own solution.
On Saturday August 26, 2017, the Canadian Macedonian Historical Society celebrated Canada’s 150 anniversary (sesquicentennial) at Pier 21 in Halifax Nova Scotia with the unveiling of a plaque commemorating over 125 years of Macedonian immigration to Canada. The plaque will be mounted at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 on the Wadih M. Fares Wall of Tribute.
In celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday, Edith George delivered a captivating lecture that intertwined Macedonian immigration with local natural history. George connected her own heritage—specifically her grandfather’s journey from the village of Zhelevo to his influential role in building Toronto’s St. Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral—with the 350-year-old story of a great red oak in her Toronto neighborhood. By linking an ancient tree in Ohrid, Macedonia, to heritage trees in Canada, she highlighted the urgent need for forest conservation and the use of the Ontario Urban Forest Council’s "Heritage Tree Toolkit." The event, which also featured patriotic musical performances and immigrant poetry, emphasized that protecting natural landmarks is a vital way to preserve the oral and human histories of the community.
The 2nd Annual Celebration of Macedonian Immigration to Canada was held at the East York library to honor the diverse professional and personal accomplishments of Macedonian-Canadian women. Departing from the early 20th-century narrative of "bride" immigration, the event showcased women from various regions of Macedonia who have excelled in fields such as engineering, media, international development, and the arts. Featured speakers included Natasha Denkovski, a national-team athlete and MBA; Pobeda Piskaceva, the creator of the Macedonian Edition TV program; filmmaker Sandra Danilovic; fashion designer Maria Lazarova Manceva; and development expert Vera Belazelkoska. The afternoon concluded with keynote speaker Aleksandra Nasteska, an award-winning advocate for sustainability and gender equality, illustrating how these women have moved beyond traditional family roles to drive social change and inspire future generations within both the Macedonian community and broader Canadian society.
The Greek Civil War occurred in the aftermath of WWII between royal government forces supported by Great Britain and America and the Communist forces supported by Yugoslavia and Russia. During the Second World War, the royalists fled Greece and set up a government in exile in Egypt, while the communist movements played an important role in fighting German and Italian occupying troops.
The first lecture event of the Society’s season was a resounding success. We were filled to capacity at the North York Central Library. Ginny Evans, co-President of the CMHS welcomed everyone and introduced the guests.
