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Gjurgjaj at the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN): We represent the interests of the Macedonian national minority in Albania

Chairman of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj represents the organization at the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), which is being held from today until September 20 in Helsinki, Finland, where he represents the interests of the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania.

Nikolla Gjurgjaj, Chairman of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, represents the organization at the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), which is being held from today until September 20 in Helsinki, Finland, where he represents the interests of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania.

It is an honor and privilege for me, as the President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, to represent the organization at the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), to be held in Helsinki, Finland, from September 17 to 20, 2026. For eleven years, as an equal member of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), we have actively participated in the work of this European organization and represent the interests of the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania, writes Gjurgjaj in his Facebook post.

This, he adds, serves as an opportunity to gain new experiences, strengthen cooperation with minorities across Europe, and promote Macedonian identity, language, culture, and traditions. “We proudly represent the Macedonian National Minority from the Republic of Albania at the European level,” states Gjurgjaj’s Facebook post.

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana to Propose a Resolution at the FUEN Congress Promoting the Rights of Macedonians in Albania

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana to Propose a Resolution at the FUEN Congress Promoting the Rights of Macedonians in Albania

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana will participate in the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) and propose a resolution to promote the rights of Macedonians in the Republic of Albania.

This year’s 70th FUEN Congress will be held from September 17 to 20, 2026, in Helsinki, Finland. The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana has been a full member of FUEN since May 16, 2015, and is part of the Union’s Working Group on Slavic Minorities. Since then, the association has regularly participated in all congresses held.

The Congress will focus on current issues regarding the protection of national minorities, linguistic rights, and the future development of FUEN. The event is hosted by the Swedish Assembly of Finland (Folktinget).

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana condemns Sofia’s attempts to exploit the health of Prespa region residents

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana strongly condemns Sofia’s attempts to exploit the health of the residents of the Prespa region.

On September 11, 2026, medical examinations were conducted by Bulgarian doctors at the state clinic in Pustec. It is evident to everyone that the Bulgarian state has exerted unprecedented pressure on Macedonians in the Republic of Albania for years.

It is also clear to Macedonians throughout the Republic of Albania that the campaign for free medical examinations is merely another ploy to entice the population of the Prespa region to declare themselves as Bulgarian.

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana expresses its regret that high-ranking Albanian state officials, as well as the Municipality of Pustec, allow themselves to be blackmailed by Bulgarian politicians at the expense of Macedonians in the Republic of Albania, and that they submit to this blackmail. Furthermore, it is the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania that pays the price for the blackmail Sofia directs at our state’s political leadership. The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana calls upon Albanian and European institutions to address the unscrupulous attacks by Bulgarian envoys against Macedonians in the Republic of Albania.

We wish to remind you that the failure of state institutions to protect their own citizens has led to the assimilation of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania.

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana

Congratulations from the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana on the occasion of September 8, the Independence Day of Macedonia

Happy September 8 – Independence Day of Macedonia!

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana congratulates you on September 8 – Independence Day of Macedonia.

This year we celebrate 35 years of independence of Macedonia – a great and significant historical day, which we honor and respect with pride.

Macedonians from Albania have also contributed to the creation, preservation and affirmation of the Macedonian national consciousness and the aspiration for a free and independent Macedonia.

By cultivating the Macedonian language, culture, tradition and national identity, Macedonians from Albania are proudly part of Macedonian history and the celebration of this great holiday.

May the memory of all those who contributed to a free and independent Macedonia be eternal. Let us preserve, respect and celebrate this great day with pride, dignity and love.

Happy September 8th – Independence Day of Macedonia!

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”–Tirana
President Nikolla Gjurgjaj

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana to Participate in the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) to be Held in Helsinki, Finland

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana will participate in the Congress of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) to be held from 17 to 20 September 2026 in Helsinki, Finland.

The host will be the Swedish Assembly of Finland (Svenska Finlands folkting/Folktinget in Swedish), which has been working for linguistic rights and the status of the Swedish language in Finland for more than 100 years, founded in 1919, is a statutory organization for cooperation for the Swedish-speaking population of Finland. The Folktinget has been a member of the Federal Union of European Nations (FUEN) since 2024.

Over the past eleven years, since we have been equal members of the Federal Union of European Nations (FUEN), we have regularly participated in all Congresses and other activities. We will also participate in this Congress, which will be organized by the Swedish Assembly of Finland, informed the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” Nikolla Gjurgjaj, president of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana.

Helsinki will become a meeting place for European minorities, at the 70th annual Congress of the Federal Union of European Nations (FUEN) in the capital of Finland. Representatives of indigenous national minorities, nationalities and language groups from all over Europe are expected to participate.

Photo: Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN)

The Swedish Assembly of Finland, the organization’s mission, is to protect and promote the rights and interests of the Swedish-speaking population, as well as to actively share information about the Swedish language in Finland and bilingualism in the country. The Folketinget also works to support and strengthen the status of the Swedish language and culture in Finland.

Protecting the linguistic rights of the Swedish-speaking population is a core task of the Folketinget. The public can contact the organization on issues related to linguistic rights and the obligation of the authorities to respect these rights. The Folketinget actively works to protect the rights of Swedish-speaking persons within the state and municipal administration and the education sector, as well as within social services and healthcare in Finland.

The Folketinget is a recognized reference body and issues statements for various authorities. In this way, it can influence the drafting of laws and reforms that are of central importance to the Swedish population. Parliamentary committees consult the Folketinget on a number of issues that affect the Swedish population.

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana has been a member of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) since 16 May 2015 and is part of the working group on Slavic minorities. During this period, it regularly participates in Congresses and other activities, and upon the proposal of the association, Resolutions on the position of the Macedonian minority in the Republic of Albania have been adopted.

Congratulations from the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana on the occasion of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On the occasion of the great Christian holiday of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana sent congratulations to the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, His Holiness Stefan, and to all Macedonians of the Orthodox faith in the Republic of Albania and all Macedonians everywhere in the world.

Allow me, on my personal behalf and on behalf of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, and on behalf of the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania, to personally congratulate you, your clergy, all Macedonians everywhere in the world and all Orthodox believers, on the great Christian holiday of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, says the congratulation signed by the president of the association, Nikolla Gjurgjaj.

Above all, we wish you good health, peace of mind, family happiness and warmth.

The celebration of the memory of the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary means the celebration and respect of family and family values, understanding and love for our relatives and readiness to overcome temptations. With the power of the holy name of the Blessed Virgin Mary in our prayers, let us pray for health, love, grace, peace of mind, happiness and warmth in our families. Your Beatitude, I convey to you the expressions of my highest respect, the congratulatory message says.

Valuing tradition, we celebrate the day of the Mother and protector, the prayer book and intercessor of all Christians, following the principles that make us human and are the source of our spiritual strength.

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana requests that the official website of the Pustec Municipality be published in Macedonian as well

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana has addressed an official request to the Mayor of Pustec Municipality, the Chairman of the Municipal Council and the members of the Municipal Council, requesting that the official website of the Pustec Municipality be accessible in Macedonian, in addition to Albanian.

In the request, the association emphasizes that it relies on Law No. 96/2017 “On the Protection of National Minorities in the Republic of Albania”, which guarantees the rights of national minorities, including the use of their language in relations with local self-government bodies in the areas where they traditionally reside.

The publication of the official website of the Municipality also in the Macedonian language would be an important step for the practical implementation of the rights of the Macedonian national minority, improving citizens’ access to public information and communication with local institutions.

The association estimates that such an initiative would contribute to increasing institutional transparency, respecting linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as implementing national and international standards for the protection of the rights of national minorities.

The request has also been sent for information to the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination, as well as to the Ombudsman.

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana expresses its confidence that the responsible institutions will carefully review the request and will take the necessary steps to make the official website of the Municipality of Pustec also available in the Macedonian language.

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana wishes you a happy Macedonian holiday, Ilinden

Photo: Excursion of Macedonians for the Ilinden holiday in Tirana in 1937

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana wishes you a happy Republic Day – August 2, the holiday of two historical Ilindens: 123 years since the Ilinden Uprising and 82 years since the First Session of the Macedonian National Assembly.

Let us respect and celebrate with dignity this great day, dedicated to the Ilinden Uprising of 1903, as well as the glorious Ilinden of 1944, when the foundations of the modern Macedonian state were laid.

We remember Ilinden with deep respect the many revolutionaries and fighters who, with their courage, sacrifice and blood, wrote the most glorious pages in the history of the Macedonian people.

Let us celebrate the Day of the Two Ilindens with respect, pride and dignity, as befits this great national holiday.

Happy August 2 – Republic Day! May Ilinden be eternal!

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana
President Nikolla Gjurgjaj

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj at the meeting with the Mayor of Prilep, Dejan Prodanoski

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Gjurgjaj and the Mayor of Prilep, Prodanoski discussed the promotion of cooperation

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikola Gjurgjaj, at the meeting with the Mayor of Prilep, Dejan Prodanoski, discussed the support that this municipality can provide for the society and the promotion of cooperation in the field of culture.

It was an honor and pleasure for me to have a cordial meeting with the mayor. I immediately introduced him to the problems that Macedonians are facing, as well as the activities of the society. I received strong support for the association, within the capabilities of the local government, announced Gjurgjaj. He added that they exchanged opinions on the cooperation in the cultural field, with performances by Macedonian folklore groups from Albania in Prilep and vice versa.

I also thanked him for his care for the Macedonian pupils and students from Albania, who are studying in the educational institutions in Prilep, adds Gjurgjaj.

He donated to Prodanoski copies of the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden”, which is “the main and important messenger that informs about the activities, problems and issues of the Macedonians in Albania”.