What fyroms history books teach

[Prokomenos]

FYROM’S History Books: Facts

The Ambassador of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Dimitrov during a recent briefing in Washington D.C. tried to convince a few congressional staffers not to support HR 521 and 306. Regarding the history books of the FYROM public education, where the propaganda against Greece emanates, he stated: “Even though the mentioned textbooks do not include any of the alleged nationalist propaganda, it has to be known that they are no longer in use, since a new history curriculum was developed for all grades in 2003”.

In answer to Ambassador Dimitrov’s arguments a recent article, can be brought up, published by the well-known Greek newspaper Eleftherotypia on October 10, 2005. There are other studies regarding the history and other texts of the FYROM pupils that have been done, such as Dr. Evangelos Kofos’ study, The Vision of a “Greater Macedonia”, as well as various air produced documentaries, such as Papahelas’ Envelopes, aired in the winter of 2004. However since Eleftherotypia’s article is a most recent one, it is used as an argument to Mr. Dimitrov’s statement: “The new curriculum was drafted in accordance with guidelines of the Council of Europe's EUROCLIO, an association of European instructors of history, which emphasize the use of historically accurate maps to illustrate political, ethnic and other developments during the specific historical period”.

Propaganda goes to school

By Dina Karatziou

The issue of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia enters a new critical phase with Nimetz’s last proposal, which was rejected by the Greek side, and the concern of the neighboring State’s EU entrance negotiations, connected with the solution that will finally be given regarding the question of the name.
However, even if the problem focuses in the name, other problems should also be regarded. Amongst others the propaganda issue of “Macedonians in bondage” has been pointed out (texts of the special mediator). Especially when propaganda penetrates into the system of the neighboring State’s education system and is recorded in the official schoolbooks.
This opinion is conclusive after a decennial research by Professor P. Ksohellis of the Aristotle University in Thessaloniki and scientists of Center of Research of School Books and Cross-cultural Education, regarding books of History and Maternal Language of the FYROM and four additional Balkan States.


Examples of excerpts of various schoolbooks are interesting:
In the second grade History book of secondary education, the map that defines the national borders of Macedonia includes the current area of the FYROM, Bulgarian Macedonia and an area of Greek territory, of which its south-western utmost point begins from the Greek-Albanian borders, it follows the ridge of mountain Olympus and continues along the whole Aegean coastal area, up to the bordering lines of prefectures Kavala and Xanthi.
No essential change in the handbooks is marked since the Interim Accord was signed in 1995. According to the Agreement “Each Party shall promptly take effective measures to prohibit hostile activities or propaganda by State-controlled agencies and to discourage acts by private entities likely to incite violence, hatred or hostility against each other”.
In 1996-97 the Maternal Language and History books continue repeating the same stereotype: "the distinct element of the Macedonian Nation and the vision of liberating the remaining parts of Macedonia, that politically belong in the neighboring states of the FYROM”.


The text reading of the total eight grades of public education, as well as the handbooks of linguistic exercises, present the geographic area of the three administrative sections of the Ottoman Empire in Europe, during the 19th C, as the paternal hearth of the neighboring state’s population.
The Reading text of 8th grade, referring to the Vilaets of Thessaloniki, Monastiri, Kosovo-Skopje, the area of “Greater Macedonia”, states: “Macedonian land, land of the Fathers, land of the Ancestors, from Ohrid to the Aegean and to Pirin”.
Equally characteristic, for the stereotype "Macedonia" and the consecutive fabricated arguments that are cultivated in the students of the FYROM, are also the verses included in the 2nd grade Reader of public education:
"To Macedonia with love: From Pelister to Pirin, from Vroutok to the white Aegean, three flowers - a bouquet of flowers, a united nation. Macedonia, dear land! Beautiful land since many centuries, your name awakens love, a heart in three flowers, it offers us much love, Macedonia, name eternal!”
Perhaps however, more indicative of the poem’s intention to maintain and preserve these feelings of "national unfairness", is the question of the text’s comprehension which follows: "Pay attention to the verse "a heart in three flowers ". Which heart are we talking about? Which are the three flowers the poet sings
The researchers of these books observe that the books of History cultivate feelings of irredentism and national indignation in a greater degree than any other text, targeting the neighboring populations such as Greeks, Bulgarians and Serbs. The picture of an "occupied Macedonia of the Aegean" and an "oppressed Macedonian minority" in the Greek territory, totally dominates all texts.
Also in frequent use are the terms "anti- Macedonians", "assimilation", "oppression", "prohibition", “denationalization” and “cruelty”. Indicative examples:
The "bad" Greeks

For the period of WWI:
"Before the outbreak of WWI, Macedonia was shared in three parts, to three Balkan states, Serbia, Greece and Bulgaria, and a small piece was in Albania. The Macedonians were involuntarily mobilized to join the troops of these three Balkan states and were forced to fight for foreign interests... There was nothing advantageous for the Macedonian people in that region which was under Greek occupation. They mistreated the Macedonian population, just like the Bulgarian occupants did in the other part of Macedonia..."(8th grade history book).

For the period after WWII:
"After the Varkiza agreement the Macedonian name and Macedonian language were both prohibited for a second time in the region of the Aegean Macedonia, as well as all national and cultural privileges that the Macedonian population had ensured at the duration of the struggle of liberation. Immediately after 1945, the Greek governments applied a policy of terrorism in order to force the Macedonian population to emigrate or to paralyze them in a national and political sense”. (8th grade history book)

The cruelty of Greek authorities, the imprisonments, the retribution, as well as the violent persecutions of the Macedonian people, fascinated the entire world. For the inhuman behavior of (Greeks) toward the Macedonians the League of Nations became interested also". (8th grade history book)

View some of the book images at
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SUNDAY- 10/16/2005

Conclusion:

It is evident that the maps of various school books demonstrate in a subtle, but clear manner that The FYROM Slavs do not recognize Hellenic sovereignty over the Greek part of Macedonia, Macedonia Proper; this is the reason they insist on calling it Aegean Macedonia and not Greek or Hellenic Macedonia. It also violates the Interim Agreement signed by both Greece and The FYROM and the Constitution of The FYROM itself – amendment replacing and clarifying article 49 of the said Constitution. The dream and the goal of The FYROM Slavs are the incorporation of the Hellenic part of Macedonia into their newly independent country with the city of Thessaloniki as the first prize.

The books say that the ancient Macedonians were not Greeks, but they were related to the Greeks and their languages were very close and they could speak with each other.

[gmellos]

Originally Posted by Prokomenos
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The books say that the ancient Macedonians were not Greeks, but they were related to the Greeks and their languages were very close and they could speak with each other.

Ok..... but doesn't that say that the Ancient Macadonians were basically Greek since they are "related to Greeks and their languages was close enuff that they could understand Greek"? THAT SURE SOUNDS LIKE the Ancient Macadonians WHERE GREEK TO ME!!!!!!! Stupid Skojpians even their propagranda proves that the Anceint Macadonians where Greek!

[Prokomenos]

Whatever the case gmellos that is what they teach in their schools. That is propaganda at its finest.

[gmellos]

Originally Posted by Prokomenos
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Whatever the case gmellos that is what they teach in their schools. That is propaganda at its finest.

Just like the Albanians teaching their kids they are Illyrians and half of Greece is Illryian land!

[pankration]

I cannot emphasize enough the insidious nature of textbooks. As a teacher for 25 years, I can tell you that even the most well-intentioned books are misleading. Put a textbook in the hands of a teacher who is unsure, stupid or brainwashed and it can be a better weapon than a machine gun.
FYROM is arming the next generation for a war with books like this. It is incumbent upon us to continue to be vigilant and to protest their use in the classroom.