Macedonian community in Groningen defies country’s name change - The Northern Times
NorthenTimes
logo The Northern Times
  • News
    • All
    • Crime
    • Economics
    • Education
    • Health
    • Politics
    • Sports
    • Tech
    • Ukraine
    Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

    Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

    Student organization says interest on student loans may return

    Government to allocate €20 million to cover critical costs of Ukrainian refugees

    Airport Eelde aims to become ‘most sustainable in Europe’ with new Hydrogen Valley project

    Groningen and Drenthe holidaymakers seek to avoid Schiphol

    Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

    Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

    Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

    Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

    More people test positive for monkeypox in NL

    Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

    Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

    Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

    Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

    Trending Tags

    • Lifestyle
      • All
      • Food & Drinks
      • Nightlife
      • Shopping
      • What's happening
      Food festivals set to return to Emmen

      Food festivals set to return to Emmen

      Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

      Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

      Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

      Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

      Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

      Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

      Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

      Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

      Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

      Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

      What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

      What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

      Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

      Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

      Trending Tags

      • Culture
        • All
        • Dutch history
        • Typical Dutch
        Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

        Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

        Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

        Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

        North NL theaters struggle to find a way to attract audience

        Rolling Stones exhibition in Groninger Museum extended

        Lottery donates €636K to Groninger Museum

        Frida Kahlo exhibition coming to Assen a year early

        Drents Museum Frida Kahlo exhibit extended

        Bittersweet Heritage

        Bittersweet Heritage: a cultural event exploring Groningen’s connections to slavery

        Fries Museum to loan series of renowned portraits from London’s National Portrait Gallery

        Frisians Mata Hari and Titia Bergsma to feature in History Canon

        A stumbling stone in Groningen

        New foundation for “stumbling stones” in Groningen

        National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

        National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

        Trending Tags

        • People
          • All
          • Expats
          • International students
          Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

          Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

          What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

          What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

          Student protest Groningen: ‘Where is a vaccine against psychological problems?’

          New mini-doc highlights how Groningen students struggle to find housing

          ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

          ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

          ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

          ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

          A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

          ‘University of Groningen must do more for the mental health of students’

          From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

          From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

          First students snap up alternate study spots in Oosterpoort

          Dutch student grades rise during pandemic whilst mental health suffers

          NHL_Stenden_studying

          New students in Leeuwarden get ‘Coronaproof’ introduction week

          Trending Tags

          • Opportunities
            • All
            • business
            • Education
            Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

            Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

            Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

            Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

            Annual Beta Business Days event a success

            Annual Beta Business Days event a success

            What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

            Startup Visa Crew offers support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs (Переклад українською)

            Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

            Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

            Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

            Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

            How to enter academia in the Netherlands

            How to enter academia in the Netherlands

            3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

            3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

            Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

            Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

            Trending Tags

            • Submit A Tip/Article
            No Result
            View All Result
            The Northern Times
            • News
              • All
              • Crime
              • Economics
              • Education
              • Health
              • Politics
              • Sports
              • Tech
              • Ukraine
              Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

              Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

              Student organization says interest on student loans may return

              Government to allocate €20 million to cover critical costs of Ukrainian refugees

              Airport Eelde aims to become ‘most sustainable in Europe’ with new Hydrogen Valley project

              Groningen and Drenthe holidaymakers seek to avoid Schiphol

              Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

              Leeuwarden teens call for harassment hotline in city

              Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

              Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

              More people test positive for monkeypox in NL

              Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

              Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

              Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

              Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

              Trending Tags

              • Lifestyle
                • All
                • Food & Drinks
                • Nightlife
                • Shopping
                • What's happening
                Food festivals set to return to Emmen

                Food festivals set to return to Emmen

                Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

                Groningen to host Sustainable Homes Day

                Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

                Armenian artefacts, Noah’s ark relic on display at Drents Museum

                Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

                Groningen Meikermis fair about to kick off

                Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

                Marching trees kick off Arcadia arts festival in Leeuwarden

                What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

                What’s happening in May? Events and activities from our partners

                Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                Trending Tags

                • Culture
                  • All
                  • Dutch history
                  • Typical Dutch
                  Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

                  Popular Drenthe youth’s summer programme set to return in 2022

                  Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                  Remembrance Day and Liberation Day: Deep dive

                  North NL theaters struggle to find a way to attract audience

                  Rolling Stones exhibition in Groninger Museum extended

                  Lottery donates €636K to Groninger Museum

                  Frida Kahlo exhibition coming to Assen a year early

                  Drents Museum Frida Kahlo exhibit extended

                  Bittersweet Heritage

                  Bittersweet Heritage: a cultural event exploring Groningen’s connections to slavery

                  Fries Museum to loan series of renowned portraits from London’s National Portrait Gallery

                  Frisians Mata Hari and Titia Bergsma to feature in History Canon

                  A stumbling stone in Groningen

                  New foundation for “stumbling stones” in Groningen

                  National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

                  National Holocaust Museum launching a temporary exhibit in Leeuwarden

                  Trending Tags

                  • People
                    • All
                    • Expats
                    • International students
                    Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                    Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                    What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                    What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                    Student protest Groningen: ‘Where is a vaccine against psychological problems?’

                    New mini-doc highlights how Groningen students struggle to find housing

                    ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

                    ESN/ISO: “International students neglected in higher education in the Netherlands”

                    ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

                    ESN launches ‘buddy programme’ for students in Groningen

                    A letter from the Editor – Internationals from 120 countries: Welcome to Groningen, Leeuwarden, Assen and Emmen!

                    ‘University of Groningen must do more for the mental health of students’

                    From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

                    From a WhatsApp group to a community: BLOG offers a ready-made social space for Black Ladies in Groningen

                    First students snap up alternate study spots in Oosterpoort

                    Dutch student grades rise during pandemic whilst mental health suffers

                    NHL_Stenden_studying

                    New students in Leeuwarden get ‘Coronaproof’ introduction week

                    Trending Tags

                    • Opportunities
                      • All
                      • business
                      • Education
                      Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

                      Groningen to host its first sustainable business day

                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Companies in Dutch energy sector seek next cohort of young leaders

                      Annual Beta Business Days event a success

                      Annual Beta Business Days event a success

                      What’s it like working in Northern Netherlands?

                      Startup Visa Crew offers support to Ukrainian entrepreneurs (Переклад українською)

                      Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

                      Gasunie to build €60 million green gas plant in Delfzijl

                      Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

                      Hundreds set to join online job-networking event

                      How to enter academia in the Netherlands

                      How to enter academia in the Netherlands

                      3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

                      3 ideas for student-friendly jobs in the North

                      Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

                      Meet 3 startups that are Making it in the North

                      Trending Tags

                      • Submit A Tip/Article
                      The Northern Times
                      logo The Northern Times
                      Home contributors
                      Macedonian community in Groningen defies country’s name change

                      Macedonian community in Groningen defies country’s name change

                      The Northern Times by The Northern Times
                      March 14, 2019
                      in contributors
                      0
                      Share on TwitterShare on FacebookWhatsapp

                      On 12 February, Macedonia’s name was officially changed to the Republic of North Macedonia. Even though Groningen may seem far removed from Balkan politics, the Macedonian community in the north still has strong feelings about what they see as a politically-motivated move.

                      By Edward Szekeres­

                      Bobi Mizeski (60) stirs his coffee in the Balkan Restaurant Macedonie, located in the heart of Groningen. Mizeski’s establishment used to be frequented by Nikola Dimitrov, Macedonia’s current Foreign Minister. But the former ambassador to the Netherlands doesn’t come anymore. “I stopped speaking to him. He’s a traitor”, explains Mizeski, referring to the momentous vote of the small Balkan state’s MPs to change their country´s name to the Republic of North Macedonia earlier this year.

                      The step was taken after a 27-year-long spat over the name Macedonia between Skopje and Athens. Greece had been vetoing its northern neighbour’s membership in NATO and the EU, arguing the name Macedonia culturally and territorially infringed on its northern province, also called Macedonia.

                      Although Greece’s MPs eventually backed the agreement between the two countries by a slight majority of 153 to 146 votes, the historic decision was overshadowed by growing political turmoil. Violent clashes between the police and thousands of protesters ensued, with 72 percent of the public disapproving of the measure.

                      Betrayal

                      The sentiment had remained largely the same ever since. “It’s forbidden to say the word Macedonia when you refer to the country,” says Julian Alexiou (29), a student of economics. The Greeks call their Balkan neighbour “Skopje” or FYROM, the abbreviation of the country’s previous name, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. “What does Greece get from this deal?” asks Alexiou, sceptically. He thinks the name change is just the beginning of a larger process that will transform Greece into a playground for bigger, more powerful states. But the issue goes deeper than just abstract geopolitics. It’s a question of profound identity change, of a larger historical narrative, he says. “And the people in the north of the country are very angry. They feel betrayed.”

                      Just across the border, the situation appears to be similar. Mizeski and many of his compatriots resent the name change, even though it was widely welcomed by the international community for opening the state’s path to joining NATO and, potentially, the European Union. As NATO’s enlargement policy is in many ways less strict than that of the EU, its members already signed an agreement with Macedonia in early February, paving the way for Skopje to become the 30th capital in the military alliance.

                      “It’s a logical step for the West Balkan state that has been surrounded by NATO members for years,” explains European security specialist Ine Megens of the University of Groningen. With a population of merely 2 million and a very modest defence budget, Macedonia hold little military importance. However, having more presence and oversight in the region is arguably NATO’s largest benefit from Macedonia’s prospective membership. “The alliance wants to incorporate the countries of the Western Balkans to secure its own borders and neighbours,” Megens adds.

                      Opportune

                      But the timing of the decision is also rather “opportune”, says James Leigh, a lecturer in Euroculture at the University of Groningen. As both Macedonia and Greece currently have left-leaning PMs who do not ascribe to the “strong national identity lines of thoughts” that dominated previous governments, the time was ripe for such a deal to come through. The behind-the-scenes influence of other state actors may also have been an important factor, Leigh thinks.

                      Still, the road to victory was far from smooth for Prime Minister Zoran Zaev. His effort to secure a mandatory two-thirds majority, or 80 of the parliament’s 120 members, to ratify the deal he struck back in June last year with Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, was marred by allegations of bribery, corruption scandals and publicly aired political machinations. In the end, 81 lawmakers narrowly passed the constitutional amendment.

                      Boycott

                      But more than half of the Macedonian population boycotted an earlier referendum on the proposed name change. The plebiscite resulted in an overwhelming approval of the proposed measure, albeit on a slim 40 percent turnout. It is hard to read much into these numbers as election turnout tends to be generally low in the country, Leigh points out. People stopped believing in politics: “There’s a deeply embedded scepticism in the society stemming from years of inefficient and corrupt governments. A lot of Macedonians have lost trust in democracy and are hesitant to vote,” he explains.

                      A lot of Macedonians have lost trust in democracy and are hesitant to vote

                      Yet it seems that prospects of any kind of societal and political reconciliation have diminished greatly as even the pro-European majority of society rejected the name change, suggests Senka Neuman-Stanivukovic, an expert on the region from the University of Groningen. “The change came at a big sacrifice,” she adds.

                      “Our people are broken and sad,” exhales Mizeski, surrounded by remnants of his old life in the Balkans. He says he echoes the attitude of Groninge’s small community of a couple dozen Macedonians who are proud of their country´s name that dates back to Alexander the Great, the ancient conqueror and king of the region. “How would you feel if someone wanted to change your name, the name you fought for throughout history?” asks Mizeski. Although most citizens are resistant to the change, fear continues to grip Macedonian dissenters in light of the government’s alleged crack down on protesters who often face house arrest or threats from the police. “This is not a democracy. It’s a communist regime,” Mizeski says.

                      The restaurant owner remains defiant in the face of a new name that no one seems to like. “Even if my country gets a new name, I will never change the name of my restaurant to North Macedonia!”

                       

                      Tags: eurocultureGroningenIne MegensJames LeighSenka Neuman-StanivukovicSkopjeZoran Zaev
                      Previous Post

                      Drents Museum wins prize at Global Fine Art Awards

                      Next Post

                      Emmen set to become sole financier of Wildlands

                      The Northern Times

                      The Northern Times

                      Related Posts

                      Editorial:  International students can change the outcome of the municipality election!

                      Editorial: International students can change the outcome of the municipality election!

                      March 15, 2022
                      sugar_factory_containers

                      Sugarhomes residents hit with shocking rent increase

                      January 31, 2022
                      Re-opening of Dutch education sparks concerns about a rise in Covid-19 cases, with youth vaccine numbers lagging

                      Re-opening of Dutch education sparks concerns about a rise in Covid-19 cases, with youth vaccine numbers lagging

                      September 16, 2021
                      The most common challenges for international job seekers in the NL and how to handle them

                      The most common challenges for international job seekers in the NL and how to handle them

                      May 18, 2021
                      How International staff open doors for Dutch companies

                      How International staff open doors for Dutch companies

                      April 13, 2021
                      Setting goals, clear intentions, and the ‘why’: getting into the right headspace for work during the pandemic

                      Setting goals, clear intentions, and the ‘why’: getting into the right headspace for work during the pandemic

                      March 29, 2021
                      Next Post
                      Emmen concerned by low visitor numbers at Wildlands

                      Emmen set to become sole financier of Wildlands

                      stories_of_hope

                      “Stories of Hope”: resistance and solidarity during the Holocaust

                      Discussion about this post

                      Most popular this week

                      • Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

                        Train dream: from Groningen to Copenhagen in 5.5 hours by 2050

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • More people test positive for monkeypox in NL

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Reports of needle drugging filed in Groningen

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Groningen and Drenthe holidaymakers seek to avoid Schiphol

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      • Back from the dead: previously bankrupt Vapiano may re-open on June 1

                        0 shares
                        Share 0 Tweet 0
                      The Northern Times

                      The Northern Times

                      NorthernTimes.nl is an English-language news site for internationals and anyone interested in news and activities in the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The website provides daily coverage and summaries of local news in the north, as well as human interest stories, backgrounds and a regional events calendar. The Northern Times is an initiative of the International Welcome Center North in cooperation with Persbureau Tammeling BV, which owns and operates the website.

                      Powered by:

                      Akkoord van Groningen, Gemeente Groningen, Koninklijke Metaalunie & FME, University of Groningen, Hanzehogeschool Groningen, Samenwerking Noord, Campus Groningen, and DUO/NEC NL (Nationaal Europass Centrum Nederland). 

                      Privacy statement and disclaimer 

                      NorthernTimes.nl is an English-language news site for internationals and anyone interested in news and activities in the three northern Dutch provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe. The website provides daily coverage and summaries of local news in the north, as well as human interest stories, backgrounds and a regional events calendar. The Northern Times is an initiative of the International Welcome Center North in cooperation with Persbureau Tammeling BV, which owns and operates the website.

                      Newsletter

                      Once or twice a week, we send out a digital newsletter to our subscribers. We will not and cannot share email addresses or any other personal data provided by our subscribers with any third parties, nor will we use this information for any purposes other than providing the newsletter. 

                      Questions or comments?

                      If you have any questions concerning your privacy or comments about ways that you think we could further protect and inform you about your privacy, please let us know by contacting us at info@tammeling.nl

                      Disclaimer

                      The Northern Times reserves the right to change its privacy policy, but will inform our subscribers and readers in advance prior to implementing any such changes. These changes will be published in a timely manner on The Northern Times’ website.

                      Tags

                      Arriva (49) Art (62) Assen (181) Climate Change (49) Coronavirus (498) coronavirus regulations (48) COVID-19 (331) COVID 19 (58) culture (44) Drachten (47) Drenthe (863) earthquakes (52) Eelde (44) Emmen (157) festival (43) football (62) Friesland (934) Groningen (1858) Groningen Airport Eelde (51) Groninger Museum (48) Hanzehogeschool (53) Heerenveen (41) Hoogeveen (49) housing (110) international students (53) jobs (63) Leeuwarden (406) Make it in the North (55) Mark Rutte (44) music (41) natural gas (55) Netherlands (67) NHL Stenden (50) NS (43) police (66) protest (56) RUG (146) Schiermonnikoog (40) Sneek (43) students (92) train (63) UMCG (108) University of Groningen (197) Wadden Sea (42) what's on (67)
                      • News
                      • Lifestyle
                      • Culture
                      • People
                      • Opportunities
                      • Submit A Tip/Article

                      © Copyrights The Northern Times 2018

                      No Result
                      View All Result
                      • Culture
                        • Dutch history
                        • Typical Dutch
                      • Lifestyle
                        • Food & Drinks
                        • Nightlife
                        • Shopping
                        • What’s happening
                      • News
                        • Economics
                        • Politics
                        • Sports
                        • Tech
                      • People
                        • Expats
                        • International students
                      • Opportunities
                        • business
                        • Education
                      • Bloom: Subscribe