Macedonians in the United Kingdom

Macedonians in the United Kingdom
Total population
1,285 Macedonian-born (2001)[1]
9,000–10,000 ethnic Macedonians (England only, est.)[2]
Regions with significant populations
London, Southeastern United Kingdom
Languages
English, Macedonian
Religion
Macedonian Orthodox Church

Macedonians in the United Kingdom refers to people from the Republic of Macedonia that have formed communities in or were born in the United Kingdom. The 2001 UK Census recorded 1,285 people born in Macedonia.[1] However, estimates state that up to 9,000–10,000 ethnic Macedonians may live in England.[2]

History of Macedonians in the United Kingdom

The majority of Macedonians in Britain arrived after the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia permitted emigration to the West in the 1960s and 1970s.[3] Many Macedonians especially from the Demir Hisar, Bitola and Prilep regions left for Britain during this period.[3] During the 1980s many professionals left Skopje to work in London for the Socialist Republic of Macedonia and for international organisations stationed there.[3] Following the Breakup of Yugoslavia hundreds of ethnic Macedonians left for Britain.[3] After the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s many ethnic Macedonians and Albanians from the newly independent Republic of Macedonia left for Britain as refugees. In 2001 the number of people born in the Republic of Macedonia who resided in the UK was 1,285[1] although it is estimated by the Macedonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that about 9,000–10,000 ethnic Macedonians live in England.[2]

Organisations

Within the United Kingdom many ethnic Macedonian based organisations have been founded. Most notable is the "Association of Macedonians in the United Kingdom" (Macedonian: Асоцијација на Македонци во Обинето Кралство, Asociasija na Makedoncite vo Obinetoto Kralstvo).[4] This group has been key in organising events amongst the ethnic Macedonian community in Britain. They have also contributed to the consecration of the Macedonian Orthodox Church in London along with the Embassy of the Republic of Macedonia in London.

The most prominent Cultural and Artistic society within the ethnic Macedonians community in the United Kingdom is the ethnic Macedonian Cultural and Artistic Association "Sonce". It was founded in London on the 17th of November 2003.[5]

Macedonian Orthodox Church

In the United Kingdom there is one operating Macedonian Orthodox Church. The Macedonian Orthodox Church “ St. Archangel Michael & All Angels”, was founded by immigrants from the Republic of Macedonia. Calls for the consecration of the church by ethnic Macedonians in Britain were realised when the community consecrated the church. There have been plans to construct a Cultural Centre on the site of the Church.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Country-of-birth database". Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Retrieved 2008-11-03.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Population Estimate from the MFA
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Nasevski, Boško; Angelova, Dora. Gerovska, Dragica (1995). Македонски Иселенички Алманах '95. Skopje: Матица на Иселениците на Македонија. pp. 60–61.
  4. ↑ Associjacija na Makedonci vo Obedinetoto Kralstvo (MAK UK)
  5. ↑ MKUD Sonce
  6. ↑ Macedonian Church

External links