Macedonian Tribune - Tribune Excerpts
Macedonian Tribune – PAGE ONE, Major Events of the 20th Century
The following article appeared in the January 2010 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune
By Stan Valcanoff
|
In this era of computers, Web sites, and on–line services, the feeling of a book clutched in one's hands is a great connection to our rich history and roots. On the 10th anniversary of the publication of Page One, we take time to review this wonderful tome again. Compiled and written by former Tribune Editor Lubomir Todorov and former MPO Archivist Maria Tsakova, Page One takes us on a 77–year journey chronicling the first front pages of the MACEDONIAN TRIBUNE beginning in February 1927 and ending in July 1999. The preface describes Page One as "a keepsake volume designated to be an essential part of every Macedonian family's library," and I heartily concur. The more than 500 pages are packed full of MPO history, starting with the founder Jordan Tchkatroff, to the historical declaration of Macedonia's independence in 1991, and the visit of President William Clinton to Macedonia during the Kosovo crisis in 1999. The book is divided into chapters by decades, and a synopsis describes the highlights of the work of the MPO and the articles that never wavered to support a free and independent Macedonia. The 1920's reveal "An Auspicious Start", the 1930's "Time of Glory," the 1970's "Defending our Heritage," to the 90's "Triumph of Macedonian Independence."
The book also recounts both the good and bad times of the MPO, the hard work petitioning Congress, the UN and the world forum in general, as well as the arrests and persecutions of men and women across the ocean who literally fought with IMRO, led by Ivan Mihailoff. One of the most interesting features depicts how the actual look of the paper changed through the decades-the look of the banner, and the depiction of the Cyrillic alphabet figures. Page One will never let us forget —
"Macedonia for the Macedonians!"
|
One of the other highlights of the
book lists the many MPO patriots of a
mere ten years ago who are gone but not
forgotten — Vanya Dumas, Alexander
Tsakoff, Loza Markoff, Tomea Kirchoff,
Violet Chokreff, Connie Danilov, Jean
Morgavan, Christ Kacalieff, Dita Atzeff,
Dr. Alexander T. Lebamoff, Metody
Evanoff, Vera Branoff, Boris Dvorchanec,
Olga & Bob Kelly, Emma Lou Michaeloff,
Presbytera Raina Mihailoff, Carl Naum,
Boris Pargoff, Marie Spahiev, Chris Turoff,
Fima Vanoff, Krome & Angie Yareff, Tarpa
Peshoff Aspridy, Mary Barton, Milan &
Nada Eftimoff, Lena Giannakeff, George
Lambroff, Austin Mircheff, Mary Nizamoff,
Marko Paliobagis, Victor Popoff, Dr.
Stephan Strateff, Ruse & Magda Topalov,
Ivan & Kay Lebamoff, just to name a few.