Macedonians in Serbia


Macedonians of Serbia are an officially recognized ethnic minority in Serbia.

History

During the years 1945-1992, ethnic Macedonians and the Macedonian Language was a constituent part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Many Macedonians, due to economic reasons, migrated during the 1960s and 1970s to the Socialist Republic of Serbia. In 2004, Serbia and Macedonia signed an inter-state agreement on the protection of Macedonians in Serbia and Serbs in Macedonia.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census there were 22,755 Macedonians in Serbia. The Macedonian population living in Serbia is concentrated in two cities, Belgrade and Pančevo. In Belgrade there are 6,970 Macedonians, while in neighboring Pančevo 4,558 - out of which vast majority live in three villages that are within administrative limits of City of Pančevo. Additionally, Macedonians constitute significant population in Plandište municipality, especially in village of Dužine.

Politics

In 2005 Macedonians in Serbia also established a National Minority Council, which represents as a step towards safeguarding their interests. Jovo Radevski was elected as its president. The Democratic Party of Macedonians is the primary minority party. It is centered in Novi Sad.

Culture

Macedonian language is in the official use in the municipality of Plandište, where Macedonians constitute 9.2% of population. Macedonian-language print media consists primarily of the monthly political journal Makedonska videlina produced by the Macedonian Information and Publishing Centre in Pančevo. Limited Macedonian-language television is available through regional public broadcaster of Radio Television of Vojvodina and the local station TV Pančevo.
Associations such as "The Society of Serbian and Macedonian Friendship Šar – planina" seated in Belgrade, and the "Municipal Society of Serbian-Macedonian Friendship" seated in Zrenjanin cover issues related to ethnic, cultural and economic cooperation in Serbia.

Notable people