 The
Macedonian Society of Great Britain was founded in 1989. Six years later, in 1995, the
Society was granted charitable status on the strength of the main object of its
constitution: the advancement of the education of the public in all aspects of Macedonian
life and letters: the language, history, culture and art forms. The Classical
and Byzantine periods are of major interest to the Society, as well as sculpture,
painting, pottery, lithographs, textiles, coins and jewellery. For this reason, the
Society has organized numerous lectures to stimulate an interest in Macedonian culture for
as wide an audience as possible. The Society has been fortunate to attract leading
authorities in their fields: among others, the late Prof M. Andronicos, Prof N. Hammond,
Dr E. Kofos, Prof Sir John Boardman, Dr Peter Fraser and Dr Hector Cating.
The
Society has also worked to present the Macedonian picture visibly and effectively. In
April 1992, it organized a rally in Trafalgar Square to promote ethnic awareness; and, in
order to emphasize the cultural identity of northern Greece, it sent representatives in
conjunction with other Greek societies in the U.K., to the EU Prime Ministers’
Conference, held in Edinburgh in December 1992.
In June
1993, the Society participated in the festivities celebrating 2,500 years of Greek
Democracy, on the South Bank in London.
Although the Society promotes our national interests, it is free from party-political and
union activities.
The
Macedonian Society has, since its inception, been aware of the part to be played in
inter-European co-operation and understanding. And so, in 1993 it became founder member of
the Panmacedonian Society of Europe and the present President of the Macedonian Society of
Great Britain is the Vice-President of this European organization. Equally, in order to
work as effectively as possible in Great Britain for an awareness of Greek culture and
concepts, the Macedonian Society has become a member of the Hellenic Centre founded two
years ago in London.
Finally, to respond to the needs of its own members, especially younger ones living away
from their native country and customs, the Society maintains calendar of events and
gatherings to celebrate cultural awareness.
Correrspondence Address:
Hellenic Centre,
16-18 Paddington Street,
London W1M 3LB
Registered Charity, no: 1044357
|
