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Tag: <span>Nikolla Gjurgjaj</span>

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

Fifteen years since the publication of the first issue of the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden”

Fifteen years ago, on March 1, 2011, the first issue of the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” was published as a double issue (March / April). The Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” is the newspaper of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana.

The Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” has published a total of 71 issues, proving continuity and dedication in informing its readers and arousing great interest among readers in Albania, in the homeland of Macedonia, as well as in the Macedonian diaspora in the world.

According to the numerous letters that reach the editorial office as well as communication through the newspaper’s profiles on social networks with readers, we note that in the fifteen-year period the newspaper has grown into a serious newspaper, whose news and topics are increasingly reaching readers.

Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” from March 2017, in addition to the printed version, the newspaper can also be followed through the website, www.vesnik-ilinden.com in this way, our newspaper became available to the general public.

From September 2017, the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” was standardized according to international norms for printed and electronic magazines with the number ISSN 2522-6282 (online) and ISSN 2522-4514 (printed).

And from August 2022, the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” is a member of the Alliance for Ethical Media (AEM) platform, where 30 print and audiovisual media in Albania are members.

Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” is part of the largest news platforms in Macedonia time.mk, grid.mk and vesti.mk

For all those interested, all issues of the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” are also available in the National Library in Tirana, the Library of the Parliament of Albania, the National and University Library St. Kliment Ohridski in Skopje, the Library of the Institute for Old Slavic Culture – Prilep, the Library of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Macedonia, the Library “Grigor Perlichev” – Ohrid and the State Archives of Macedonia.

The mission of our newspaper remains to encourage and promote the Macedonian language and Macedonian identity in the Republic of Albania. We remain confident that our activities will be adequately supported by the state institutions of Albania and Macedonia, as well as by Macedonians all over the world.

The editorial staff of the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” expresses gratitude to all its collaborators.

The Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden” makes a great contribution to the promotion of the Macedonian language, and to raising issues of interest to Macedonians in Albania, and constantly works to protect and affirm the ethnic, linguistic, cultural identity and national traditions of Macedonians in Albania.

At the same time, the editorial staff expresses gratitude to the loyal readers for the interest shown in the content offered by the newspaper.

 

With respect

Nikolla Gjurgjaj

Editor-in-Chief of the Macedonian newspaper “Ilinden”

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, presented the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude to the Ombudsman Institution

The President of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana, Nikolla Gjurgjaj, presented the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude to the Ombudsman Institution of the Republic of Albania.

The “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude for the year 2025 was awarded to the Ombudsman Institution of the Republic of Albania for the efforts and support it provides to Macedonians in the Republic of Albania, as well as for the support of the Macedonian Association “Ilinden”-Tirana.

It was a great honor for me, on behalf of the association and the Macedonian National Minority in the Republic of Albania, to personally present the “Ilinden” Certificate of Gratitude. The meeting was attended by Endrit Shabani, the Ombudsman, the Secretary General of the Ombudsman, Mr. Fatbardh Zenelaj and Ms. Vilma Shurdha, Commissioner of the General Department.

I introduced the Ombudsman to the work and current activities of the association, special emphasis in the conversation was placed on key issues for Macedonians in the Republic of Albania.

Heartfelt gratitude to the Ombudsman for his unstinting support and encouraging words, which give us strength and motivation to continue our fight for the preservation of the Macedonian language, identity and culture.