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Tag: <span>Nikolla Gjurgjaj</span>

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 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”.

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj met with the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, His Beatitude Mr. Stefan

His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, Mr. Stefan, received today in his office Nikolla Gjurgjaj, President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana.

It was a great pleasure and honor, on behalf of the association and the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania, to personally present him with the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude. In a friendly and cordial conversation, the mutual willingness to promote cooperation was expressed.

Chairman of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj informed His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, Mr. Stefan, about the situation and challenges faced by members of the Macedonian National Minority in Albania, as well as about the activities and current engagement of the association.

I expressed great gratitude for the honor of meeting and talking with His Beatitude Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, Mr. Stefan, and on this occasion, I also gave him copies of the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” and the Brochure of the Working Group of Slavic Minorities (AGSM) in FUEN in Macedonian, emphasized Gjurgjaj.

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj presented the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude to Ljupco Zlatev, editor of Lider

On the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the establishment of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, the President of the Association, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, personally presented the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude for the year 2026 to Ljupco Zlatev, editor of Lider, at the premises of Radio Lider in Skopje, Macedonia.

“It was a special honor for me, on behalf of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana and the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania, to personally present the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude for the year 2026 to Ljupço Zlatev, editor of Lider from Skopje,” said Gjurgjaj.

The “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude is awarded by the Macedonian Association “Ilinden” Tirana in recognition of a special contribution to the affirmation and support of the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania and the activities of the association.

With his professional work, commitment and dedication in informing the public about the issues and challenges faced by the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania, Ljupço Zlatev has made a significant contribution to the preservation, promotion and advancement of the Macedonian national identity, language, culture and tradition.

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana congratulated Zlatev on the award, wishing him good health, many successes and greater achievements in his further professional and social activities.

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj participated in the opening ceremony of the international conference “Dialogue for Unity and Peace 2026” in Skopje

On June 23, 2026, at the invitation of the Cabinet of the former President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and the International Center Alliance of Civilizations, the President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, participated in the opening ceremony of the international conference “Dialogue for Unity and Peace 2026”, which was held in Skopje.

The conference was organized by the Cabinet of the former President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, the International Center Alliance of Civilizations and the Alumni Association of the President Ivanov School for Young Leaders.

The event represented an important platform for promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, unity and peace, through the exchange of ideas and experiences among participants from different countries and areas.

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”–Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj met with Dimitar Bogeski, Director of the State Archives of Macedonia

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”–Tirana, within the framework of program activities, met with Dimitar Bogeski, Director of the State Archives of Macedonia.

At the meeting, we discussed the role and importance of archival activity, as well as the possibilities for further cooperation in terms of preserving, affirming and promoting the Macedonian historical and cultural heritage of Macedonians in the Republic of Albania.

He added that the meeting took place in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, with a shared determination to deepen cooperation in mutual interest. It is emphasized that the Association was formed on February 6, 2009 and registered at the Basic Court in Tirana, with the aim of protecting and affirming the ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and historical identity of Macedonians in Albania, a mission that continues with unabated momentum.

Certificate of Appreciation for the President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj from the Agency for Support of Civil Society of Albania for his commitment

The Agency for Support of Civil Society of Albania awarded the President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, a certificate of appreciation for his contribution to the National Council for Civil Society.

I would like to express my gratitude for the certificate of appreciation from the Agency for Support of Civil Society of Albania, which I consider as a result of my commitment, stated Gjurgjaj.

Macedonians in the Republic of Albania have had a representative in the National Council for Civil Society for the first time since 2021, an institution established by the Government in 2015.

As a member of the National Council for Civil Society from June 2021 to January 2026, it was an honor, but also a responsibility, to be the only minority representative in this institution. It was a great obligation for me to represent the voice and interests of minorities with dignity, responsibility and dedication, says Gjurgjaj.

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, presented the “Ilinden” Award to Dr. Hartmut Leipner, President of AGSM and Vice President of FUEN

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, within the framework of the 29th Seminar of the Working Group of Slavic Minorities in Europe, organized by the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) in cooperation with the association, presented the “Ilinden” Award to Dr. Hartmut Leipner, President of the Working Group of Slavic Minorities (AGSM) and Vice President of FUEN, and Matic Germovšek Žnidaršić, Coordinator of the Working Group of Slavic Minorities (AGSM) at FUEN.

The “Ilinden” Award for 2026 was awarded to the Slavic Minority Working Group (AGSM) at FUEN, for a special contribution to the Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania and for the support of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana.

“It was a great honor for me, on behalf of the Macedonian society and national minority in the Republic of Albania, to personally present the honorary award to the respected Dr. Hartmut Leipner”, said Nikolla Gjurgjaj.

Welcome speech by Nikolla Gjurgjaj, President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, at the 29th Seminar of Slavic Minorities in Europe

Good evening! Добровечер!

Welcome to Tirana, Republic of Albania!

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear friends,

Dear participants,

Today we have the honor and special pleasure to open the 29th AGSM (Working Group on Slavic Minorities) seminar, which is being held here in Tirana, organized by FUEN, and in close cooperation with the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana.

Exactly 11 years ago, the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana made history, becoming the first association from the Republic of Albania to become an equal member of FUEN. Therefore, this is a truly important and great day for the Republic of Albania, for the Macedonian national minority, but also for the “Ilinden” Association itself.

For the first time, representatives of 20 organizations have gathered in Tirana, with a total of 40 delegates coming from 11 different countries: Albania, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Estonia, Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia, Italy and Slovakia. Your presence here is proof that bridges of cooperation know no borders.

The Macedonian national minority in the Republic of Albania is one of the oldest minorities in this region. It is an indigenous population that has existed for centuries and lives in about 50 villages along the Albanian-Macedonian border, in the areas of Golo Brdo, Prespa, Gora, in the village of Vrnik, the Pola area, as well as in larger urban centers such as Tirana, Durres, Elbasan, Pogradec, Korça and Kukës. Macedonians in Albania have always been peace-loving, loyal citizens, people who actively and with high integrity have contributed and are contributing to all spheres of Albanian society.

This seminar is a strong reminder that diversity is our greatest asset. In a rapidly changing world, our voice, our culture and our identity depend precisely on such platforms where we learn from each other, support each other and take joint steps towards European values ​​of mutual respect. The exchange of experiences at this 29th seminar will certainly give us new energy and new ideas for future projects.

I am sincerely happy that we have gathered today in such large numbers at this important event. My wish is that such meetings will become even more frequent in the future, because only through mutual commitment and strong cooperation will we manage to preserve from oblivion the precious values, tradition, language and cultural heritage of the Macedonians in the Republic of Albania.

At the same time, on behalf of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, I express my sincere and deep gratitude to FUEN and AGSM for their continuous and selfless support over the years.

I wish you successful work at the seminar, a pleasant stay in beautiful Tirana and unforgettable friendship!

Thank you for your attention!

Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana eleven years an equal member of the Federal Union of European Nationalities

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, eleven years ago was admitted to the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), the largest organization of national minorities in Europe.

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana became the first member from the Republic of Albania to the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) at the congress held on 15.05.2015 in Komotini, Greece.

Since then, the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana has made a great contribution to identifying and overcoming a large number of issues of interest to Macedonians in the Republic of Albania. It continuously works to protect the ethnic, linguistic, cultural identity and national traditions of Macedonians in the Republic of Albania.

Also, the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana has regularly participated in these eleven years in all congresses and submitted resolutions, the content and aim of which was to improve the life of Macedonians in the Republic of Albania and all of which were voted by the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN).

They have been sent to all state institutions in the Republic of Albania and international institutions related to minorities. These resolutions contribute to the improvement of the position of Macedonians in the Republic of Albania.

The Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, as an equal member of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) and as part of the Working Group on Slavic Minorities (AGSM) at the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN), actively raises issues on the international stage for Macedonians in the Republic of Albania.

On this occasion, the Macedonian association “Ilinden”-Tirana expresses gratitude to the presidency of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN) and the Working Group of Slavic Minorities (AGSM) for the cooperation and understanding shown for the interests of Macedonians in the Republic of Albania.

At the same time, we express our sincere gratitude to the International Macedonian Human Rights Movement from Canada with Chairman Mr. Bill Nicholov, who helps the Macedonian association “Ilinden”-Tirana to be an equal member of the Federal Union of European Nationalities (FUEN).

May our anniversaries and friendships with all nations and minorities in Europe multiply.


Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana
President, Nikolla Gjurgjaj