Ethnic Macedonians in Sweden

Macedonians in Sweden
Македонци во Шведска
Makedoner i Sverige

Dime Jankulovski • Sibel Redzep
Total population
3,669[1]-15,000[2][3]
Regions with significant populations

Malmö, Göteborg, Eslöv,

Helsingborg, Trelleborg, Växjö
Languages

Primarily Macedonian

and Swedish
Religion
Macedonian Orthodox
Related ethnic groups
Macedonians

According to the official census of 2006, there are 3,669 ethnic Macedonians in Sweden.[4] The Swedish immigrant center reports that there are 6,000 Macedonians in Sweden,[5] but Macedonian Associations and Macedonian foreign ministry claim their number is over 15,000.[1][2]

Immigration

Macedonians began to immigrate to Sweden after World War II . Many of these were originally Aegean Macedonians who were later joined by Macedonians from Yugoslavia. The Macedonian population settled heavily in the south-western region of Sweden. Many immigrants settled in towns like Stockholm, Malmö, Göteborg, Eslöv, Helsingborg, Trelleborg, Örebro and Växjö. The Swedish Government officially recognises the Macedonian minority present in Sweden.[5]

Organisation and Culture

Macedonians in Sweden are well organised through many associations and they are recognised as an Macedonian minority through law.[4] Throughout Sweden there are over 20 registered Macedonian associations, among the largest are:[6]

The Macedonian associations are partly financed by Swedish government. There are also special provisions established by the Swedish government for education in Macedonian.[4] Each year the various organisations hold the Zimski Festival (English: Winter Festival). The Associations also organise beauty contests, poetry nights and discos. The organizations have also had involvement with Macedonians in Denmark. They also run Saturday schools and humanitarian activities. There are three women's groups in operation in Sweden;

Religion

The Macedonians in Sweden are predominantly of the Orthodox faith. On 14. January 1973 they established the first Macedonian Orthodox Church municipality (MPCO) in Europe dedicated to Naum of Ohrid. There are currently two Macedonian Orthodox Churches in Sweden, Makedoniska ortodoxa kyrkan Sveti Naum Ohridski in Malmö which have 4000 believers,[7][8] and Makedoniska Ortodoxa Kyrkliga Församlingen in Göteborg.[9] Both of them are part of Macedonian Orthodox Church, led by metropolitan of European Diocese.

Sport

Macedonian community have their own football club, named IF Vardar from Göteborg, which is playing in Swedish league "Division 5A".[10]

Media

Many forms of Media have been established by the Macedonians in Sweden. They have their own newspaper, called "Makedonski Vesnik" which was first published in 1978, by "Makedoniska Riksförbundet i Sverige" the Macedonian community in Sweden.[11] The Newspaper informs Macedonians in Sweden about topics related to them in Sweden and in the Macedonia.[12] They have also founded their own radio station in Göteborg, it is called Makedonski Glas radio (Swedish: Makedonisk Röst), which broadcasts in the Macedonian language.[13]

Notable Macedonians from Sweden

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Census 2006
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Makedonci vo Svetot
  3. ↑ Macedonian Information Agency
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Regeringskansliet Justitiedepartamentet , 10333 Stockholm En sammanfattning av regeringens minoritetpolitik
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Immi Sweden
  6. ↑ Macedonian Associations
  7. ↑ Makedoniska ortodoxa kyrkan, Hagalundgatan 5 , 21432 Malmö tel + 40-19 28 02
  8. ↑ MPC Malmo
  9. ↑ Makedoniska Ortodoxa Kyrkliga Församlingen Telefon: 031-483621 Atmosfärgatan 415 21 GÖTEBORG
  10. ↑ IF Vardar
  11. ↑ Makedoniska Riksförbundet i Sverige Postadress: Box 47037, 402 57 Göteborg ISSN 0282-292x
  12. ↑ Makedonski Sojuz
  13. ↑ Mångkulturella närradio- och TV-föreningen Besöksadress: Värmlandsgatan 16A Postadress: Box 480 60, 418 22 GÖTEBORG Telefon: 031- 24 95 00 Fax: 031- 24 02 15

External links