On the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of Macedonia’s Independence, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) and the Consul General of the Republic of Macedonia in New York organized the first-ever Macedonian flag raising ceremony at the Charging Bull Triangle, Wall Street area, in New York City on September 8, 2014. The flag will fly for five business days at this location.
In welcoming the guests for this special occasion, UMD President Metodija A. Koloski dressed in traditional Macedonian folk costume alongside UMD NYC Representative Vera Arsova, and NJ Representative Ana Dukoska, stated, “today is the 23rd anniversary of Macedonian independence and we are honored that you came here to join us. This is the first time the Macedonian flag is raised over New York.”
The Consul General Goce Karajanov in his remarks added that “we are here to raise the Macedonian sun over the capital of the world, to send a message that Macedonia is independent, that the Macedonian state and the identity of Macedonian people are undeniable, that the foundations of our country were laid with much sacrifice from our people.”
Among the guests who gathered for the occasion were Macedonian Ambassador Vasile Andonovski to the United Nations, former Macedonian Minister of Foreign Investments and UMD Advisory Council Member Gligor Tashkovich, UMD Chairman Stojan Nikolov, Turkish-American community leaders Ali Cinar, and Ibhrahim Kurtulus who briefly spoke about the friendship between their community, Turkey, and Macedonia, Blagica Madzarova of New Jersey Senator Cory Booker’s office, Sts. Kiril and Metodij Macedonian Orthodox Church Board President Saso Sambevski, and Macedonian Radio Hour’s Vladimir Naumovski.
