Macedonian from Greece Seeks Asylum in Macedonia

The headmistress of the school where I taught openly told me that my views create problems, and colleagues warned me that I better go to Macedonia or in one of the European countries, explains S.K. from Drama who is awaiting asylum for almost 4.5 months at the reception center for asylum seekers in Skopje’s village of Vizbegovo, reads daily Dnevnik.

The last six years I was under pressure that was no longer possible to endure. I left Greece for good and I am decisively determined to find my joy in Macedonia. Greek torture was no longer bearable, begins his story the 46-year-old S.K., Macedonian by origin, who has been living at the reception center for asylum seekers in Skopje’s village of Vizbegovo for four and a half months. He made the decision on June 15. Then he came to the country and applied for asylum the next day, stating that "He was persecuted in Greece and suffered severe political pressure because he was Macedonian."

We are not allowed to reveal the identity.

We are sitting in one of the rooms in the center for asylum seekers, the man speaks softly and with difficulties. He doesn’t know the Macedonian well, but insists to talk and says he wants to learn the language because his intention is to stay here forever.

He seems confident, looks very orderly and polite, but his face shows obvious fear that has haunted him in the recent years to eventually bring him to Macedonia.

Greece is a dangerous place for you

Our interviewee lived in Drama, and his parents are in Kostur, where he was born. He has a brother who lives in Athens and is renowned public figure. He worked as Technology Professor and taught at several high schools.

“Subjects I had taught had common grounds with the historical sciences. I often spoke aloud to the students, but also to my colleagues that what is written in Greek history books is a lie. Everything written about minorities and religions is false” says S.K.

After certain period pressures and threats began. But nothing prevented him to be consistent to what he thought. He refrains to open his soul and to talk about what happened to him. He still feels like under restraints, but says he does not know Macedonian language well and it is a problem for him. He explains that he has received threats even from the high school students, among whom there have been many members and supporters of the Golden Dawn.

“A year ago, the director of one of the schools where I taught, bluntly told me that by the loud verbal expression of my views I create a big problem. Close colleagues who genuinely loved me and supported me warned me that it was better to leave to Macedonia or to one of the European countries”, explains S.K.

Then, he decided to terminate his working arrangements and to come to Macedonia. More than two years he hasn’t talked to his parents. They were angry because he did not stop to speak publicly against the Greek books and the Greek politics. Three months before he came here he received a phone call from his brother.

“He was mad. He told me he would kill me as I was destroying his career. We stopped communicating since then. I was also receiving threats from a cousin who works in the Greek Security Agency, but they simply failed to make me change my mind”, said he.

One of the things that spilt the cup is the fact that during religious holidays he was forced to go to the Greek Church during working hours, with colleagues and students. But he strongly opposed, because he is an atheist.

I would do any job

He hasn’t addressed the Macedonian party, Rainbow (Vinozito). He says that in Drama there are no people from the Rainbow, but he often read the online editions of the "New Dawn".

“On the day of the European elections he came out to vote. One of the people who were part of the electoral board, otherwise a lawyer, even four times repeated that I was not allowed to vote for the European party whose member is also Rainbow. I was only allowed to circle Greek parties and nothing else. I could not stand that anymore”, says S.K.

We could sense smile and relaxation. He continues by saying he is happy in Macedonia, and wants asylum procedure to succeed as soon as possible so he could begin a new life.

“I would do any job. For a beginning I want something easy and could be a cleaner so I could excel my Macedonian. I'm sure I will succeed”, says S.K.

He sees us off with a smile. Before we departed he emphasized that he is not like the others in the center and he would like soon to make his home somewhere in the city.

Asylum procedure ongoing

Information from the Macedonian Ministry of Interior has matched with what S.K. told us about himself.

“The 46-year-old man came to Macedonia on June 15, and the next day filed an application for asylum. The procedure is in progress and the necessary procedural checks are being made”, says the Assistant to the minister for Public Relations in MOI, Ivo Kotevski.

I want TO HAVE a Macedonian name

I used to come to Macedonia whenever I could in Skopje, but mostly in Gevgelija and Struimca. I came for shopping. I was making good money and my salary last year was 1,000 Euros. Before the crisis it was much higher. I can deal with the situation and start it from zero”, says S.K.

A bit reserved he admits that he would even like to marry a Macedonian if his true love happens. He is considering changing the Greek name with Macedonian one.

Maybe Nikola, Ilija, we suggest…. He negates with his finger..recalling that those are names of saints, and he is an atheist. He could be called Darko.

“Before I came here, I had a relationship. Whenever my girlfriend and I spoke about children I was emphasizing that I wanted my children to have Macedonian names. For example if they are females to be named Mirka, like Mirka Ginova, or Snezana. If it is a man it can be Kostadin. This broke our relationship”, says S.K.