A month ago, the heart of New York City became a stage for Macedonian pride as the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) hosted its annual Flag Raising Ceremony, celebrating the 33rd Anniversary of Macedonia’s Independence. With the iconic Charging Bull on Wall Street as the backdrop, our community came together to mark this significant milestone—and it was nothing short of extraordinary!
On September 8, 2024, the ceremony began with a powerful rendition of the Macedonian national anthem, beautifully performed by Elena Bimbiloska, a master’s student at the Manhattan School of Music. This moving performance set the tone for what was to come, as the gathered crowd stood in reverence.
Inspiring Speeches and Flag Raising
After the anthem, distinguished speakers delivered stirring remarks. Macedonian Ambassador to the United States, Zoran Popov, shared his reflections on Macedonia’s journey to independence, followed by heartfelt words from Vera Arsova Zimmerman (UMD NYC Chair), Zaklina Zulumovska (UMD NJ Chair), and Metodija A. Koloski (UMD Co-Founder and President Emeritus). Their speeches highlighted the enduring strength of the Macedonian diaspora and the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
With the final speech concluded, the Macedonian flag was raised high above Wall Street, flying proudly to symbolize our unity, resilience, and the rich history that binds us all. This year’s ceremony held special meaning, as we dedicated it in memory of the late Congressman Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, a friend and champion for Macedonia, a founding member of the Congressional Macedonian Caucus, and a key supporter of the Congressional resolution proclaiming September as Macedonian American Heritage Month.
A Community United: Special Guests
We were honored to have in attendance Macedonian Consul General Nikola Gjorcev, Honorary Consul General Slavko Madzarov, former Macedonian Minister for Foreign Direct Investment Gligor Tashkovich, UMD Chairman Argie N. Bellio, UMD Co-Founder Aleksandar Mitreski, UMD Board Members Dr. Kristina Bundra, Filip Jotevski, and Stojan Nikolov, and Pavlina Proevska of the Macedonian Arts Council. Joining them was Gordan Jordanov, UMD Macedonia and Europe Director, who spent the last month in the U.S. visiting different Macedonian communities, and Emily Abramczyk, UMD’s new Senior Global Policy and Advocacy Officer. Their presence reinforced the deep connections between our global community and our homeland, uniting us across borders and generations.
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
The festivities didn’t end there. Following the Flag Raising Ceremony, UMD hosted a vibrant reception at nearby Broadstone Bar & Kitchen that drew a record number of attendees. Friends and supporters came together to share in the joy of the day, with delicious food and drinks enhancing the celebration.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors—Dr. Kristina Bundra, Metodija A. Koloski, Stojan Nikolov, Macedonian Wines and Spirits Dalvina, Nikola Tefov, and Maksim Trifunovski—whose generosity helped make this event a resounding success.
A Community United
This year’s Flag Raising Ceremony proved to be our biggest yet, further cementing UMD’s role in uniting and celebrating Macedonians worldwide. The flag flew proudly for nearly three weeks, encompassing almost the entirety of Macedonian American Heritage Month, a powerful reminder of our shared identity and the contributions of Macedonians across the globe.
To all who joined us and supported the event, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Together, we’re building a future rooted in the strength of our past. Here’s to many more years of honoring our heritage and celebrating Macedonia’s independence!
Check out Elena Bimbiloska’s stunning rendition of the Macedonian national anthem and photos from the event below:
