Macedonians in Germany
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 62,295[1]-85,000 est. | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Aalen, Hannover, Stuttgart | |
| Languages | |
| Primarily Macedonian and German | |
| Religion | |
| predominantly Macedonian Orthodox; all other religions present in Macedonia | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Macedonians |
According to the 2006 census figures, 62,295 citizens of the Republic of Macedonia reside in Germany.[1] They are concentrated mainly in Bavaria, Berlin, Hannover and Stuttgart. Sources from the Republic of Macedonia claim that the actual number is around 85,000.
Organisation and religion
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Macedonians in Germany, are predominantly Eastern Orthodox Christians, and they are mostly organised in, within the framework of the Macedonian Orthodox Church or the MPCO. Most of these organizations were formed in the early 1990s. The original church community was formed in Hamburg around 1980, and soon after six other MPCO's were established in Germany. The MPCO's have their own churches where many Macedonians gather for Ilinden, Easter and Christmas. The biggest are:
- MPCO-"Sv.Kliment Ohridski" from Berlin[2]
- MPCO-"Sveti Spas" from Laatzen / Hannover[3]
- MPCO-"Sv. Atanasie" from Nürnberg[4]
- MPCO-"Sv.Nikola" from Ingolstadt[5]
- MPCO-"Sv.Kiril i Metodij" from Stuttgart[6]
- MPCO-"Sv.Troica" from München
- MPCO-"Sv.Dimitrija" from Aalen[7]
- MPCO-"Sveti Kiril i Metodij" from Dortmund[8]
The MPCO's encourage the Macedonian Orthodox Church, traditional Macedonian folklore and customs from the motherland. They also encourage the upkeep of Macedonian heritage, language and traditions in Germany.
Other Christian minority groups in the Macedonian German community include Greek Catholics, Eastern Catholics, a few Uniates and some Protestants. Smaller numbers of Macedonians are Muslims who may or may not adhere to every aspect of Islam, and many more could be nonreligious/irreligious and agnostic/secularist.
Sport
There are several Macedonian sports clubs in Germany. The best known is probably FK Makedonija 1970 from Berlin[9]
Notable Macedonians from Germany
- Oka Nikolov - soccer player;
- Alexander Veljanov - Singer, songwriter;
- Igor Kirov - Dancer and Choreographer from Frankfurt am Main;[10]
- Sarita Bradley - Actress and Model from Munich;
References
- 1 2 2006 figures
- ↑ MPCO Berlin-http://www.mpco-berlin.de/
- ↑ MPCO Hannover-http://www.mpc-sv-spas.de/
- ↑ MPCO Nurenberg-http://www.mpc-nurnberg.de/
- ↑ MPCO Ingolstadt-http://www.svetinikola.de/
- ↑ MPCO Stuttgart-http://www.svkim.de.vu/
- ↑ MPCO Aalen-http://www.sv-dimitrija.de/index.html
- ↑ M.P.C Europe
- ↑ FK Makedonija-http://www.fkmakedonija.de/index.html
- ↑ Igor Kirov -The Kirov Dance Company
External links
- German-Macedonian Society web site
- FK Makedonija 1970 Berlin web site
- Macedonian Honor Consulat in Germany
- Macedonian Orthodox Church in Europe
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