The Abecedar Promoted in Solun

By Goran Momirovski
Translated from Macedonian to English and Edited by Risto Stefov
rstefov@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.oshchima.com/
About one hundred meters away from the square in Solun where fourteen years ago the Greeks protested against Macedonia's constitutional name, a promotion was held for the Macedonian language primer the Abecedar, first printed by the Greek government 81 years ago.
A large number of intellectuals, journalists and ordinary people gathered today in the hall of the Worker's Home in Solun and gave their support to the president of the European Bureau of Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL) and to the promotion of the primer.
The Abecedar's promotion was jointly organized by Vinozhito and the Greek Committee from the European Bureau of Lesser Used Languages (EBLUL).
If the heart of Greek nationalism beats in Solun, and by that I am referring to the large anti-Macedonian demonstrations which took place there in the last years, then the brain of such nationalism resides in Athens, the center of Greece where 81 years ago the Macedonian language primer, the Abecedar was printed. These are the places to best start the process of linguistic emancipation for the Macedonians in Greece, said Pavlos Voskopoulos from Vinozhito.
Special police units were assigned to protect the promotion, taking place in the center of Solun, and according to the police even though there was potential for trouble, the event went without incident.
According to our sources, members of the ultra nationalist party "Hrisi Avgi" had gathered outside the building shouting anti-Macedonian slogans and protesting against the Abecedar's promotion and all that is Macedonian.
There were also about one hundred or so members of the Greek left who had gathered in front of the Worker's Home in support of the promotion. When asked why they were there? Their response was to support the Abecedar's promotion and the right for everyone to speak their mother tongue.
There was a potential for a clash between the two opposing groups but the police intervened and prevented it.
The real surprise about this event, according to its organizers, was the unusually large number of media personalities present. Up until now the Greek media has boycotted and usually stayed away from such activities put on by the Macedonians in Greece.