By Ana Ilievska Završnik MCIL CL

To be Macedonian is like being part of an epic tale, one filled with poets, revolutionaries, and dreamers who refused to let history forget them. It’s about carrying a legacy of resilience, wrapped in the warmth of traditions that make every home-cooked meal a feast and every gathering a celebration. Macedonian language? It’s a melody echoing through generations, a secret handshake between kindred spirits, and a love letter to our past and future.

Colourful Mosque in Tetovo

North Macedonia isn’t just a place on the map - it’s a feeling. It’s the stubborn perseverance of our ancestors, the famous Macedonian hospitality that makes strangers feel like family, and the deep-rooted unity that binds us together no matter where life takes us. Being Macedonian means carrying a piece of home in your heart, whether you’re sipping rakija or eating burek under the Skopje sun or dreaming of Ohrid’s shimmering waters from afar.
 

Stone Bridge in Skopje

From the ancient ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis in Bitola, to the fairytale-like shores of Lake Ohrid, the land is a living museum, telling stories through stone and time. The mighty Stone Bridge in Skopje, Samuel’s Fortress standing tall over Ohrid, and the mystical Kokino Observatory - these aren’t just landmarks: they’re romantic letters from history, whispering our shared story. Strolling through the colourful Old Bazaar or marveling at the Colourful Mosque in Tetovo, you can feel it - the diverse culture isn’t just preserved; it’s alive, dancing in every street and echoing in every corner.
 

Samuel's Fortress

Ruins of Heraclea Lyncestis in Bitola

Macedonian and Bulgarian cultures share a deep and intertwined history, like two old friends who have walked parallel paths. As part of the Slavic language family, our languages reflect the ebb and flow of history - distinct yet connected, shaped by time, geography, and the stories of our people. Linguistics may analyze differences and similarities, but identity is written in the soul. Macedonian and Bulgarian are not just dialects of history; they are languages of the heart, each with its own rhythm, poetry, and pride.

Street Market

Language is more than just words, it’s how we whisper to our ancestors and shout to the world who we are. Whether you speak Macedonian, Bulgarian, Slovene, Serbian, or any other Slavic tongue, your voice carries the spirit of those who came before you. And in that shared linguistic mosaic, diversity isn’t a division, it’s a celebration. It’s proof that history can be complex, but culture and languages remain a radiant testament to the human spirit.
 

Ana Ilievska Završnik MCIL Chartered Linguist is a member of CIOL Council, and is a lecturer, translator and chartered language consultant with expertise in Macedonian and Slovene languages. 
 

Views expressed on CIOL Voices are those of the writer and may not represent those of the wider membership or CIOL.