April 19, 2010 – LOS ANGELES & WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 18, 2010, the United Macedonian Diaspora officially inaugurated its Los Angeles operations with a reception honoring UMD Outstanding Achievement Award recipient the world-acclaimed pianist Simon Trpčeski at the Omni Hotel in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. With over 200 guests in attendance, the evening was a great success thanks to the support of our sponsor and benefactor Niagara Bottling, LLC, our members, and friends. Guests enjoyed an evening of networking surrounded by the art work of California-based Macedonian-American artists Daniel Peci and Blagojce Stojanovski and Skopje-based artist Rumen Kamilov.
Emceed by journalist Sonja Magdevski, the evening featured remarks by His Excellency, the Consul General of the Republic of Macedonia, Jovica Palashevski, who flew in from Chicago, newly appointed UMD Los Angeles Regional Representative, Dimitar Nasev, UMD Co-Founder Steve Gligorov, St. Mary Macedonian Orthodox Church Board President Cane Carovski as well as UMD President Metodija A. Koloski who flew in from Washington, D.C. In presenting the UMD Outstanding Achievement Award to Simon Trpčeski in recognition of his excellent and outstanding achievements in the arts, UMD President Koloski noted with great honor Trpčeski’s phenomenal musical talents. “Simon is truly beyond musical talent; I have attended several of his performances but Saturday’s performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall alongside the Los Angeles Philharmonic was exceptional, especially his pianist-version of the Macedonian folk song ‘Na Struga Dujkan Da Imam,” stated Koloski. “Simon is Macedonia’s most prominent cultural Ambassador – a national treasure – and we are proud of his accomplishments and to have celebrated them in Los Angeles together with the Macedonian-American community of California.” According to Melinda Bargreen of the Seattle Times, Trpčeski is the best thing to come out of Macedonia since Alexander the Great.
Trpčeski was also presented a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in honor and recognition of his contributions to the arts and to global culture from Congresswoman Linda T. Sanchez, representing California’s 39th District. In addition, he received a California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition in recognition and appreciation for outstanding commitment to promoting, preserving and strengthening Macedonia’s cultural image through his generous gift of musical expression from Assemblymember Ted W. Lieu, representing California’s 53rd District.
“The inauguration of UMD Los Angeles Operations signifies UMD’s dedication to branch out and reach out to local Macedonian-American communities throughout the United States,” stated UMD Los Angeles Regional Representative Dimitar Nasev. “We are honored UMD has bestowed upon us the important task of uniting Macedonian-Americans in Los Angeles and throughout California.” Assemblymember Lieu also sent California Legislature Assembly Certificate of Recognition to UMD to celebrate UMD’s inauguration of its Los Angeles operations.
The UMD Los Angeles Operations will be responsible in coordinating all of UMD’s activities in Los Angeles and throughout California. Its purpose is multi-faceted and includes advocating on issues of concern to Macedonian-Americans; promoting and preserving Macedonian identity, language and culture; undertaking charitable activity at home and abroad; and supporting the educational and social advancement of Macedonians.
The evening’s sponsor was Niagara Water:
