Macedonian Manifesto warns against 'final push' to erase the Macedonian national identity

The Macedonian Manifesto group of commentators and intellectuals will promote their latest book, “A Name of Light and Hurt” on Tuesday evening at the Museum of the Macedonian Struggle in Skopje. Members of the Macedonian Manifesto say that the book is a rallying cry against a coming, final attempt to change the name of Macedonia and deny the Macedonian national identity.

“Pressures on Macedonia to change its name can be seen as a ne form of genocide, based on the illegal Greek demands, accepted by the United States and the European Union. We are pressured to change our national identity, and warned that if we fail to do so, we will lose our state. Left unsaid is that the Macedonians have maintained the national identity through centuries, even without a national state. It is clear that the ultimate goal of the pressures Macedonia is put under is that Macedonians are wiped out from the list of independent nations”, Macedonian Manifesto writes in its press release.



The association says that it supports membership in NATO and the European Union, but that this needs to be done in a dignified manner, without the “bending of the back”, a phrase offered by SDSM leader Zoran Zaev.

“The Macedonian people is exceptionally tolerant, but everything has its limit. Megalomaniac ideas from our neighbors lead them to deny the independence of the Macedonian people. This is why Macedonia mustn’t accept to change its centuries old name, no matter what pressures and threats come. Any move in that direction would jeopardize he peace and stability in our country and across the region”, the association warns.