site.btaPresident Radev: We Must Build on Historic Truth to Build Goodneighbourly Relations with North Macedonia

Speaking at the release of a phototype edition of the Macedonian Almanac by the Macedonian Patriotic Organization here on Thursday, President Rumen Radev said that building on the historical truth is necessary to establish goodneighbourly relations with the Republic of North Macedonia. The event hosted by Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski was dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the original book's release.

Radev said: "In order to move forward as a society that is aware of its roots, to build goodneighbourly relations and mutual trust with our brothers from the Republic of North Macedonia, we must stand on something very important—historical truth. This almanac categorically shows the historical truth."

The President described the almanac as an extremely valuable testimony to the eternal cause of the Macedonian Bulgarians in their efforts over the years to preserve the millennial Bulgarian identity and language. He continued: "In the pages of this exciting book, we see how an entire era unfolds with its aspirations, emotions, ideas, and ideals. When one delves into the pages of this almanac, [one finds] a lot of detailed information about the ethnic composition of the population in these lands. All politicians should open this work to see how people think about Bulgaria, about Bulgarian roots, about the Bulgarian spirit and language, and how they defend them."

The publication is the result of joint efforts by the Central Macedonian Patriotic Organization, the Macedonian Scientific Institute, and the Institute for the History of Bulgarian Emigration in North America. It was published by Tangra Publishing House.

The first edition of the almanac came out in Indianapolis, USA, in 1940. It contains historical, geographical, cultural, and social information about the region of Macedonia and Macedonian Bulgarian emigrants in the US and Canada.

The Macedonian Almanac is an illustrated encyclopaedia that reflects the life and aspirations of Bulgarians overseas, as well as their deep connection to the roots, traditions, and spirituality of Bulgarians from the late 19th and first half of the 20th century.