Huge protests in Athens over Macedonia name

[hatcheckgirl]

They're at it again.  This time the Greeks feel very strongly about the renaming of the FYR of Macedonia as "North Macedonia".  The full riot squad was out, with tear gas, etc.  We're not surprised, but "Greek clerics dressed in black joined the rally to protest an accord to rename Macedonia the Republic of North Macedonia, an agreement that would end a 27-year dispute with Greece over the country's name."

 

"There is only one Macedonia, the Greek Macedonia, 'that's it'," read a sign in Greek and English held by Christina Gerodimoun, in her 30s.

 

 

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/there-is-only-one-macedonia-violent-clashes-break-out-in-athens-over-name-change?cx_cid=edm:newsam:2019

 

🙄

[Shawnster]

People getting in a lather over nothing when all anyone wants is to live a happy healthy life and leave this world a better place for their children. 

 

We so need the kingdom 

[Saffron]

I understand that people in the world may be caught up in politics and all kinds of other interesting things, but can't understand why they are reacting this way. Why is a name change worth all of this? 

 

I live on the East Coast of the US. If they wanted to name this the North Coast or any other coast, I could not possibly care less. Even if I was in the world, this would not change. 

 

There must be something deeper going on here. But I guess it doesn't matter. Only the kingdom can solve this mess. 

[hatcheckgirl]

Greeks are very proud of their homeland and ancient heritage. Alexander the Great was Macedonian. They lay claim to him as a Greek. The Orthodox Church is very involved in nationalism. They go mental for this sort of thing, thanks in part to the Ottoman Empire subjugating Greece for centuries. 

 

That, and they are just very emotional people 🤪. (That’s my excuse)

[Raven]

Talk about crying over spilt milk..

[Tbs77]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macedonia_naming_dispute

The use of the name "Macedonia" is disputed between the southeastern European countries of Greece and the Republic of Macedonia, formerly a state within Yugoslavia. Pertinent to its background is an early 20th-century multifaceted dispute and armed conflict that formed part of the background to the Balkan Wars. The specific naming dispute, although an existing issue in Yugoslav–Greek relationssince World War II, was reignited after the breakup of Yugoslavia and the newly gained independence of the former Socialist Republic of Macedonia in 1991. Since then, it has been an ongoing issue in bilateral and international relations.
The dispute arises from the ambiguity in nomenclature between the Republic of Macedonia, the adjacent Greek region of Macedonia and the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon (which falls mostly within Greek Macedonia). Citing historical and irredentistconcerns, Greece opposes the use of the name "Macedonia" by the Republic of Macedonia without a geographical qualifier such as "Northern Macedonia" for use "by all ... and for all purposes".[1] As millions of ethnic Greeks identify themselves as Macedonians, unrelated to the Slavic people who are associated with the Republic of Macedonia, Greece further objected to the use of the term "Macedonian" for the neighboring country's largest ethnic groupand its language. The Republic of Macedonia is accused of appropriating symbols and figures that are historically considered part of Greek culture such as the Vergina Sun and Alexander the Great, and of promoting the irredentist concept of a United Macedonia, which involves territorial claims on Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and Serbia.
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[Saffron]

Maybe the powers that be on this lovely forum will create an eye rolling emoji for me one day. I would put it to good use, starting with this mess. 🙄🙄🙄

[Tortuga]

20 minutes ago, Saffron said:

Maybe the powers that be on this lovely forum will create an eye rolling emoji for me one day. I would put it to good use, starting with this mess. 🙄🙄🙄

Try these!

[Dages]

Iron and clay, am I right?

[Stormswift]

And even the clay has lumps of rocks in it.

 

Not the quality clay Jehovah uses to mold us.

 

This world is falling apart at the seams. 

[Tbs77]

Religion, Greece and MacedoniaWhy clerical rage over the “Macedonian question” has modern roots

In the southern Balkans, ethnic and ideological conflict has a sectarian edge

https://www.economist.com/erasmus/2019/01/22/why-clerical-rage-over-the-macedonian-question-has-modern-roots

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[Vasilis]

Well....

 

Some months ago due to protests some brothers had to move the cart away from the spot where the protests were happening and so they did. But a person who was walking, possible someone who wanted to join the prootest, happened to pass in front of the brothers who were witnessing. And he kicked the trolley and broke it. We fixed it now.

 

I think Greece has more important things to do than caring what the name of the country of our neighbours will be. I mean we can't go witnessing because of them.

[Tbs77]

Greece achieves 'mission impossible' by ratifying name change deal with Macedonia

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/25/greece-achieves-mission-impossible-ratifying-name-change-deal/

A Greek orthodox monk, opponent of the deal, in a protest outside the Greek parliament in Athens 

 Nick Squires 

25 JANUARY 2019 • 4:47 PM

Greece’s prime minister hailed “a new page for the Balkans” on Friday after the Greek parliament narrowly approved a deal by which Macedonia, its northern neighbour, will change its name to North Macedonia.

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