MPO - 100-year Struggle For the Independence of Macedonia

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A documentary about the history of the Macedonian Patriotic Organization (MPO) - a diaspora organization in the United States and Canada

BGNES is proud to present the first of its kind documentary, wholly created and produced by an independent private news entity in Bulgaria – BGNES News Agency and devoted to the over 100-year history of the Macedonian Patriotic Organization (MPO).

Macedonian Patriotic Organization (MPO) was founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States, in 1922, by Macedonian Bulgarian immigrants originating mainly from Greek Macedonia. It was originally called the Macedonian Political Organization but changed its name to the current one in 1952.

The initial objective of the MPO was to advocate for a solution to the Macedonian Question in the form of an independent Macedonian state, in which all ethnic groups would enjoy equal human rights and freedoms.

Over the decades, the MPO has evolved significantly, and today it is a not-for-profit corporation that promotes and preserves the customs, history, and traditions of Macedonian-Americans and Macedonian-Canadians. In the past, the organization has generally promoted the view that Macedonian Slavs are Bulgarians, but today it claims to unite both Macedonian Bulgarians and ethnic Macedonians. The MPO supports the independent Republic of North Macedonia and is involved in pro-Macedonian advocacy within the US and Canada.

Since 1927, MPO has published the Macedonian Tribune, the oldest continuously published Macedonian newspaper in the world. Originally published in Bulgarian, the paper gradually began including articles written in English, before finally transitioning into its current, English-only format, in the early 1990s.

Based on those facts, the storyline revolves around the memories of the main heroes in the documentary in order of appearance – Georgi Lebamov, former chair of MPO, Nick Stefanoff, second-generation Macedonian immigrant and former MPO central committee member, his son – Matthew Stefanoff, the present chair of the MPO, Greg Chachov, former MPO Central Committee member, Fred Minkoff, Alexander Karadjov, former member of MPO, Ralitsa Kolarova, member of MPO.

Since the arrival of the immigrants in the US and Canada, and settling, the stories of their parents and grandparents’ past in Aegean Macedonia and elsewhere in the Macedonian territory bring suppressed tears to their eyes. The torture, loss of life and the struggle for the independence of Macedonia unites the whole narrative and words of wisdom for unification and respect for others elevate the message of the film.

The struggle for independent Macedonia then materializes in the direct connection between the past, the present and the future, where rich tradition culture, and exhilarating customs are interwoven in the finale song of the film, which the members and guests at the 101 Congress of MPO sing together beyond all differences transcending time. “The Dawn of Freedom” is a Bulgarian military march, written in 1923 for the Macedonian organization in Bulgaria and a hymn of MPO since 1925.


CAST AND CREW:

Director: Kliment Hristov

Created by: BGNES

Cinematography: Kliment Hristov

Editor: Kliment Hristov

Executive Producer: Petar Kolev

Producer: Luybcho Neshkov / BGNES News Agency



DETAILS:

Release date: 18 April 2024.

Country of origin: Bulgaria

Languages spoken: English, Bulgarian

Subtitles: Bulgarian and English available

Filming locations: Chicago (IL), Columbus (OH), Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States


TECHNICAL SPECS:

Runtime: 42:11 min.

Sound Mix: Stereo

Color: Color, Black and White

Aspect ratio: 16:9

Formats: 4K 25 fps / Full HD, 1080p / 25 fps

/BGNES