About the Association
Macedonians in the Czech Republic have long desired to form an Association. The organization of Macedonians in the Czech Republic can be viewed in three phases. The first phase of immigrants were largely Aegean Macedonian refugees. At that time an association was formed with several branches ranging from folk to literary interests. Activities included Macedonian language classes for the members' children, as well as celebrations of various Macedonian religious and public holidays. (Similar organization were formed in other countries.)
The 2nd phase occurred in the late 1980 when several longing Macedonian émigrés including Pando Kolevski, a poet who has spent 40 years in the Czech Republic, sought to establish a new association, but were not granted permission by the government authorities. The Czech democratic reforms of 1998, the growth of the market economy attracted more immigrants, including the return of several who had left the Czech Republic during the pre-reform era. With this new vibrancy of the Macedonian Community, there is once again a strong desire to reform a Macedonian Cultural Association.
A Czech born Macedonian, Kole Borovski, who had learned to speak Macedonian through the now defunct original Association is the current president of the Association. His ambitions are to create a forum for the Macedonian community to interact and communicate across a variety of Activities. Support for the Association will also come from the linkages with the University Slavic Studies department in which there are several Macedonian lecturers. The Association formerly called Macedonian Thought, has a five person Executive Committee and a three Person Operational committee. The Association's stated purpose is detailed in the founding charter. The Association encourages friendship between the Macedonian members and their Czech neighbors and it remains committed to fostering communication and personal rights among its membership.
