Macedonians in Germany
According to the 2006 census, 62,295 citizens of North Macedonia reside in Germany, irrespective of ethnicity.[1] They are concentrated mainly in Bavaria, Berlin, Hannover and Stuttgart.
Distribution of Macedonian citizens in Germany (2021) | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 95,976 (census 2016 [1] 40,000+ (Bulgarian passports) TOTAL >130,000 etc. | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Berlin, Nürnberg, Ingolstadt, Aalen, Hannover, Stuttgart, Mainz | |
| Languages | |
| Primarily Macedonian and German | |
| Religion | |
| predominantly Macedonian Orthodox; all other religions present in Macedonia | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Macedonians |
Organisation and religion
Macedonians in Germany are predominantly Eastern Orthodox Christians, and are mostly organised within the framework of the Macedonian Orthodox Church or the MPCO. Most of these organizations were formed in the early 1990s. The original church community was formed in Hamburg around 1980, and soon after six other MPCO's were established in Germany. The MPCOs have their own churches where many Macedonians gather for Ilinden, Easter and Christmas. The biggest are:
- MPCO-"Sv.Kliment Ohridski" from Berlin[2]
- MPCO-"Sveti Spas" from Laatzen / Hannover[3]
- MPCO-"Sv. Atanasie" from Nürnberg[4]
- MPCO-"Sv.Nikola" from Ingolstadt[5]
- MPCO-"Sv.Kiril i Metodij" from Stuttgart[6]
- MPCO-"Sv.Troica" from München
- MPCO-"Sv.Dimitrija" from Aalen[7]
- MPCO-"Sveti Kiril i Metodij" from Dortmund[8]
The MPCO's encourage the Macedonian Orthodox Church, traditional Macedonian folklore and customs from the motherland. They also encourage the upkeep of Macedonian heritage, language and traditions in Germany.
Other Christian minority groups in the Macedonian German community include Greek Catholics, Eastern Catholics, a few Uniates and some Protestants. Smaller numbers of Macedonians are Muslims who may or may not adhere to every aspect of Islam, and many more could be nonreligious/irreligious and agnostic/secularist.
Sport
There are several Macedonian sports clubs in Germany. The best known is probably FK Makedonija 1970 from Berlin[9]
Notable Macedonians from Germany
- Igor Kirov - Dancer and choreographer from Frankfurt am Main[10]
- Aleksandar Kondinski - Distinguised fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation currently affiliated with the University of Cambridge (Cambridge)[11]
- Oka Nikolov - Soccer player
- Alexander Veljanov - Singer, songwriter
See also
References
- ^ 2006 figures 2011-05-19 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ MPCO Berlin-http://www.mpco-berlin.de/
- ^ MPCO Hannover-http://www.mpc-sv-spas.de/
- ^ MPCO Nurenberg-http://www.mpc-nurnberg.de/
- ^ MPCO Ingolstadt-http://www.svetinikola.de/
- ^ MPCO Stuttgart-http://www.svkim.de.vu/
- ^ MPCO Aalen-http://www.sv-dimitrija.de/index.html
- ^ M.P.C Europe
- ^ FK Makedonija-http://www.fkmakedonija.de/index.html
- ^ Igor Kirov -The Kirov Dance Company
- ^ Kondinski's personal website
External links
- German-Macedonian Society web site
- FK Makedonija 1970 Berlin web site
- Macedonian Honor Consulat in Germany