In the following paragraphs I would like to offer clarification regarding the interview with Mr. Ivan Dinev Ivanov conducted by Mr. Ivan Mirchevski, which aired on May 26, 2025, as part of the talk show “Quarreling with Ivan / На кавга со Иван” on Kanal 5 TV in the Macedonian Republic. The full episode can be viewed here. 

First and foremost, while it is important to clarify that Mr. Ivan Dinev Ivanov did not speak in any official capacity on behalf of the Macedonian Patriotic Organization (MPO) during the aforementioned interview, it is equally important to note that the tone and framing of the conversation strongly suggest that one of Mr. Mirchevski’s underlying intentions was to discredit both Mr. Ivanov and, by extension, the MPO—an organization of which Mr. Ivanov is a valued member.

Mr. Ivanov did a great job in explaining the current and key principles of the Macedonian Patriotic Organization which includes its commitment to reconciliation among all Macedonians, namely everyone who has origins in the geographic region of Macedonia regardless of their ethnicity and national consciousness. He also articulated the MPO’s principle of inclusion that all Macedonians have the right to self-identify any way they want and how they identify should be respected by everyone. Ethnic Macedonians, Macedono-Bulgarians / Bulgarian Macedonians (or Macedonians with Bulgarian roots), Macedonian Albanians, Macedonian Aromanians, Macedonian Greeks, etc. are all legitimate Macedonians as long as they have a common patriotic Macedonian consciousness. Like the Jews, there are different branches of Macedonians – and the Slavic branches of ethnic Macedonians, Macedono-Bulgarians / Bulgarian Macedonians are the result of the partition of Macedonia in 1913 where our people, through no fault of their own, began to follow different paths with respect to their identities and histories. Ivan further emphasized the fact that Macedono-Bulgarians are not just Bulgarians from Macedonia, they are both Bulgarians and patriotic Macedonians, as were the members of IMRO back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries! 

Mr. Ivanov clearly articulated the MPO’s desire to end the demonization occurring between ethnic Macedonians and Macedono-Bulgarians and the need to show respect. He also explained that all Macedonians and Bulgarians share common historical and cultural heritage, especially with respect to IMRO and the Ilinden Uprising that must be respected by all and the concept of “stealing our history” is non-existent. Furthermore, he highlighted that this common heritage has to be presented and cherished in a way consistent with the European Union values and traditions. Finally, Ivan Dinev Ivanov’s manner displayed great civility, politeness and courtesy in his behavior and in his speech.

Mr. Mirchevski, on the other hand, was less civil and respectful. He continuously denied the existence of a Macedono-Bulgarian identity and promoted the idea that the Macedonian Patriotic Organization, which was founded by Macedono-Bulgarians, is not a Macedonian organization at all and should change its name to the “Bulgarian Patriotic Organization”. He had a deaf ear when discussing the issue of reconciliation and continued to demonize Bulgaria, Bulgarians and any Macedonians who include Bulgarian as part of their Macedonian identity.

The Macedonian Patriotic Organization is convinced that there are many Macedonian citizens, intellectuals and leaders within the Macedonian Republic who want reconciliation to occur and it is time for them to wake up and put pressure on their government officials to change their tune from the Cold War rhetoric of the past to a more conciliatory and respectful rhetoric that will help mitigate the demonization that is occurring in the Republic. Changing the tone will go a long way in hastening North Macedonia’s accession into the European Union — an act that will peacefully and finally unite all the people in the region of Macedonia who have been divided for over a century.