THE SUN OF KUTLESH - A SYMBOL OF LIFE AND ACTIVITY OF BUSINESSMAN GEORGE ATANASOSKI (12) PART OF THE BOOK “SELECTED PAPERS FOR MACEDONIA” BY SLAVÉ KATIN Only the Sun is older than Macedonia, say George Atanasoski. Therefore, the symbol from Kutlesh (Palatica) of the ancient Macedonians, Philip and Alexander, whose descendants are we the Macedoni- ans, was a symbol on the official flag of the Repub- lic of Macedonia since its independence on Sept. 8, 1991. Regretfully, under pressure from the Greek chauvinists and a year-long blockade of Greece, the sixteen-ray flag was changed on October 5, 1995. The new flag of the Republic of Macedonia is an eight-ray sun, which means “a new sun of liberty”. As of September 19, 2004, however, the an- cient symbol – the sixteen-ray sun - has been also flying on the flag before the municipal building of Pustec, Mala Prespa. The World Macedonian Congress and the twin-municipality of Gazi Baba of Skopje have certainly deserved credit for this ancient symbol being on the municipal flag. The decision for the Macedonian symbol adopted by the Municipal Council of Pustec and approved by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Albania has made it a unique municipality, having the Macedonian sixteen-ray sun as its official symbol. The official ceremony of displaying the symbol of the mu- nicipality symbolically marked the introduction of the Macedonian language and its Cyrillic alphabet in administrative use in the Republic of Albania as well, because the name of the municipality is written in both Macedonian and Albanian on the coat of arms of this municipality. However, the greatest custodian and defender of the symbol of Kutlesh is, of course, business- men George Atanasoski. That sun has been constantly leading him all his life, and he has confirmed this through the newspaper The Macedonian Sun whose historic development is closely connect- ed with the ideas of a number of Macedonians in the diaspora. Motivated by their patriotic feeling to prove to the world that the ancient Macedo- nian civilization would revive in parallel to the independence of the Republic of Macedonia, a few Macedonians patriots living in Germany, led by Mr. George Atanasoski, decided, in autumn of 1993, to issue a Macedonian weekly. It was decided that the magazine would have global significance because it would be distributed worldwide where Macedonians live. Atanasoski’s idea for issuing a newsletter occurred to him 25 years before the first publication of “The Macedonian Sun”. He felt the need for an independent newspaper which would inform, as objectively as possible, not only the readers and the public in the Republic of Macedonia, but also Macedonian immigrants. Working in his private business abroad more than in his homeland, he had frequent meetings with Macedonians in America where they used to exchange and convey news and information orally, thus misinforming each other more than informing. However, after several meetings with Macedonians in Germany in 1993, the idea of having a Macedonian national weekly was finally realized. It would also have a lobbying role in the recogni- tion of our century-old existence and continuation through its well-argued historical contributions. A year of preparations followed after which Atanasoski finally founded the global Macedonian weekly, "The Macedonian Sun", whose first issue came out on June 24, 1994. Although the newspaper’s editorial office is located in Skopje, part of the Macedonian public believed that "The Macedonian Sun" was a magazine intended only for Macedonian emigrants. This incorrect conclusion persisted until readers actually read the paper. After the first edition of this weekly was published, Atanasoski stated with satisfaction that the efforts of he and his associates, along with the desire of Macedonians to raise their patriotic spirit, not only among Macedonians emigrants but also in their homeland, were finally rewarded. From a modest circulation of 2,000 copies, the paper reached 7,000 to 8,000 copies, and several times this figure was even above 10,000 copies. As a founder of this global weekly, Atanasoski is trying to make it fully independent, non-partisan and without his influence over the editorial policy. It should be known that "The Macedonian Sun" is an independent, national magazine, which "tells the truth flat out", poking fun at negative matters, but at the same time it is also full of humanity and brotherly love towards its favorites – the Macedonians. At the same time the magazine accords respect to other minorities living in Mac- edonia. It is not by chance that it keeps on publishing the heading titled "Our Christian Faith". It is a result of the fact that Mr. Atanasoski believes in God, believes in himself, and believes both in his people and his country. To him Florida is beautiful, but Macedonia – it’s a God's paradise! Therefore Atanasoski says that it is humane and moral to respect all people in the world, but it is even better to love your own nation first, and then the others. The first issue of the weekly "The Macedoni- an Sun" was published on June 24, 1994 and from then until today it has been published continuously, with some fluctuations. On two occasions its format was changed. Thus, from number 493 on December 12, 2003 to number 763 on February 13 in 2009 it was published in color, with 64 pages The newspaper "The Macedonian Sun" was distributed and marketed in printed form in the Republic of Macedonia and around the world where Macedonians live – in Europe, America, Canada, and Australia. Since 2003 - Director: Elizabeta Hadji-Sto- janova Kosturska, Aleksandar Keltanoski, editor in chief; Editorial staff: Kokan Stojchev, Zhaklina Mitevska, Mileva Lazova, Mishko Taleski, Miro- slav Georgievski; Associates: Frosina Tashevska- Remenski, Dejan Savovski, Aleksandar Vuchevski, Zhivanka Filipovska; Sinisha Karic; Technical Editor: Vladimir Stojkovski, Silvana Blazheva; Proofreader: Zorica Kmetovska; Typist: Suzana Josifovska, and secretary of the editor’s office. As of 2008 the editor in chief is Aleksandar Keltanoki, while the editorial staff consists of: Ko- kan Stojchev, Zhaklina Mitevska, Mileva Lazova, Mishko Taleski, Miroslav Georgievski; Associates: Frosina Tashevska-Remenski, Dejan Savovski, Aleksandar Vuchevski, Zhivanka Filipovska; Sinisha Ka- ric , technical editor; Vladimir Stojkovski, technical editor; Silvana Blazheva, proofreader; Zorica Kme- tovska, typist; Suzana Josifovska, secretary of the editor’s office, and Mile Ocevski, distributor. New horizons have opened up in the informa- tion activity of the Republic of Macedonia with the publishing of the weekly “The Macedonian Sun”. Its first edition was actually a holiday for journalism in Macedonia. Therefore, on the occasion of the release of the first edition and the promotion of "The Macedonian Sun", the President of the World Macedonian Congress of North America, Mr. George Atanasoski, founder and owner of the magazine, addressed the newspaper readers and the entire Macedonian public in the Republic Macedonia and in the Macedonian diaspora. He gave more details about the mission and goals of “The Macedonian Sun" and, among other things, he said: My dear readership, The launching ceremony of ‘The Macedonian Sun’ on June 24, 1994 in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, is an exceptional act in the Macedonian national, spiritual, cultural and economic unity. The emer- gence of the first Macedonian global weekly marks the beginning of an authentic, long awaited forum for information and communication for Macedonians from all continents. ‘The Macedonian Sun’ is now an integral part of the written Macedonian thoughts, but, at the same time, it is a leading impetus in the promotion of Macedonian journalism. The Macedonian Sun’ belongs to the Macedonian people completely. Your participation in the pages of this newspaper is its strongest qualitative trait, its greatest asset. Therefore I’m especially glad that you have accepted ‘The Macedonian Sun’ with great enthusiasm and that you have started to actively in- volve yourselves in the processes of communication with other Macedonians around the world. The large number of letters that arrive in our editor’s office with contents to be approved, your greetings and wishes for personal participation in these processes proves that information uniting Macedonians should continue to be successfully developed. The pages of this newspaper are wide open for all Macedonians from all political options to communicate their information, suggestions and opinions, their analytical reviews and creative ideas relevant to the democratic development of the Macedonian naIt seems that the sun (‘sonce’ in Macedonian) of Kutlesh is a symbol of the life and work of the American businessman George Atanasoski and his investments in the Republic of Macedonia: the magazine “The Macedonian Sun” (Makedonsko sonce), TV-station “Sonce” and Hotel “Sonce GA”. In addition, there is a large number of organizations, insti- tutions clubs, associations and other institutions in Macedonia and throughout the world whose sym- bol is the sixteen-ray sun, including the name of the restaurant of businessman Risto Gushterov in Na- ples, Florida, named “Palatica” (Kutlesh). tion and culture. We use this opportunity to encour- age the Macedonians in the Republic and abroad, regardless of their political and religious affiliation, to actively join in global communication in all fields of interest to our fatherland Macedonia. Since only a tolerant dialogue among us, the Macedonians - which in its essence is an open discussion of ideas for specific solutions to problems that Macedonia faces – is a guarantee of its long-term economic and educa- tional development. Before a large audience, founder Atanasoski said that he was deeply convinced that conditions were ripe for something which had been discussed in Macedonian history so much, but was poorly im- plemented in practice. He spoke with conviction that The Macedonian Sun was born for the Mace- donian people with the vision of becoming a lead- ing forum which would replace the bland quarrels from the every day life of the Macedonian politics and journalism. It would put forward tolerance and concrete proposals on how best to achieve Mac- edonian national interests. Continuing, Atanasoski stressed that, "We categorically reject the current separation and schisms that are a shadow over Macedonian unity, as the sword of Damocles. In parting, we offer that "The Macedonian Sun": will multiply the rich potential of ideas from the Macedonian people with whose assistance, it is widely known, answers to all challenges will be found; even in the toughest moments of stubbornness; to establish continuity of long-term efforts of Macedonians to create their own authen- tic newspapers throughout history immortalizing the existence of their nation; and to raise the level of civilization in Macedonia. Our mission is to use, to the maximum, the enormously rich and diverse in- tellectual and spiritual potential that has made the Macedonian people a distinctive nation in history, in order to open up new horizons in their existence and continuation. ‘The Macedonian Sun’ has guaranteed that opportunity far into the future." On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of pub- lishing The Macedonian Sun, in July 1999, the found- er of this weekly, George Atanasoski, expressed his satisfaction and addressed in writing the reader- ship and the public in Macedonia in general, saying: My dear readership! Five years have passed since June 24, 1994 when the weekly "The Macedonian Sun" first threw light on Macedonians at home and abroad. The need for "The Sun" existed then as it exists today because we still cannot say that our news outlets are completely free, as is the case with "The Sun" which does not depend on any party and is therefore a unique, to- tally independent newspaper. As a result, it could be freely called "a newspaper of truth. The development of the newspaper is one of the few things of which we can be extremely proud. This newspaper is the first voice in defense of Macedoni- an interests at home and abroad. We are among the first in Macedonia to publish it on the Internet, and we have about 65,000 internet visitors per month. From today's issue onwards we will continue with this new format. Soon we will expand our Internet coverage to better inform the world about Macedo- nia and to promote Macedonian culture and national interests. For several months thus far "The Sun" has been providing its Media-Monitor, pieces of informa- tion and articles for Macedonia and about Macedo- nia published in the international media to inform all those interested in Macedonia through e-mail on a daily basis. For two years we have been publishing a monthly Internet magazine "The Makedonika" for Macedonian history and culture where articles of eminent historians who deal with this topic are col- lected and published in English and Macedonian. Two weeks ago we opened a "chat forum" on the Inter- net where Macedonians and friends from around the world can gather and discuss the problems in Mac- edonia. Plans are many. A lot of work is waiting for us but with your help, my dear readers, we are going to realize the ideals of our ancestors for a free, united and strong Macedonia. As founder of the newspaper, I would like to thank all readers worldwide who have supported and are supporting us now. I’m sending a message to all of them that we will tirelessly continue to fight until Macedonia fulfills the dreams of our ancestors," wrote George Atanasoski. On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the weekly "The Macedonian Sun", however, its edition number 548/549 dated December 30, 2004, which was published in color, presented extensive material on the work and staff of the newspaper. In his special address Mr. George Atanasoski, founder of "The Macedonian Sun", stated that he had been following the idea of the great Macedonian who did not enslave but rather united nations - Alexan- der III of Macedon (the Great). To be continue By Slave Nikolovski-Katin

THE SUN OF KUTLESH - A SYMBOL OF LIFE  AND ACTIVITY OF BUSINESSMAN GEORGE ATANASOSKI (12)

PART OF THE BOOK   “SELECTED PAPERS FOR MACEDONIA”

BY SLAVÉ KATIN

Only the Sun is  older  than  Macedonia, say George Atanasoski. Therefore, the symbol from Kutlesh (Palatica) of the ancient Macedonians, Philip and Alexander, whose descendants  are we the Macedoni- ans, was a symbol on the official flag of the Repub- lic of Macedonia since its independence on Sept. 8, 1991. Regretfully, under pressure from the Greek chauvinists and a year-long blockade of Greece, the sixteen-ray flag was changed on October 5, 1995. The new flag of the Republic of Macedonia is an eight-ray sun, which means “a new sun of liberty”. As of September 19, 2004, however, the an- cient symbol – the sixteen-ray sun - has been also flying on the flag before the municipal building of Pustec, Mala Prespa. 

The World Macedonian Congress and the twin-municipality of Gazi Baba of Skopje have certainly deserved credit for this ancient symbol being on the municipal flag. The decision for the Macedonian symbol adopted by the Municipal Council of Pustec and approved by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Albania has made it a unique municipality, having the Macedonian sixteen-ray sun as its official symbol. 

The official ceremony of displaying the symbol of the mu- nicipality symbolically marked the introduction of the Macedonian language and its Cyrillic alphabet in administrative use in the Republic of Albania as well, because the name of the municipality is written in both Macedonian and Albanian on the coat of arms of this municipality.

However, the greatest custodian and defender of the symbol of Kutlesh is, of course, business- men George Atanasoski. That sun has been constantly leading him all his life, and he has confirmed this through the newspaper The Macedonian Sun whose  historic  development  is  closely  connect- ed with the ideas of a number of Macedonians in the diaspora. 

Motivated by their patriotic feeling to prove to the world that the ancient Macedo- nian civilization would revive in parallel to the independence of the Republic of Macedonia, a few Macedonians patriots living in Germany, led by Mr. George Atanasoski, decided, in autumn of 1993, to issue a Macedonian weekly. It was decided that the magazine would have global significance because it would be distributed worldwide where Macedonians live.

Atanasoski’s idea for issuing a newsletter occurred to him 25 years before the first publication of “The Macedonian Sun”. He felt the need for an independent newspaper which would inform, as objectively as possible, not only the readers and the public in the Republic of Macedonia, but also Macedonian immigrants.

Working in his private business abroad more than in his homeland, he had frequent meetings with Macedonians in America where they used to exchange and convey news and information orally, thus misinforming each other more than informing.

However, after several meetings with Macedonians in Germany in 1993, the idea of having a

Macedonian national weekly was finally realized. It would also have a lobbying role in the recogni- tion of our century-old existence and continuation through its well-argued historical contributions.

A year of preparations followed after which Atanasoski finally founded the global Macedonian weekly, "The Macedonian Sun", whose first issue came out on June 24, 1994.

Although the newspaper’s editorial office is located in Skopje, part of the Macedonian public believed that "The Macedonian Sun" was a magazine intended only for Macedonian emigrants. This incorrect conclusion persisted until readers actually read the paper.

After the first edition of this weekly was published, Atanasoski stated with satisfaction that the efforts of he and his associates, along with the desire of Macedonians to raise their patriotic spirit, not only among Macedonians emigrants but also in  their  homeland,  were  finally  rewarded.  From a modest circulation of 2,000 copies, the paper reached 7,000 to 8,000 copies, and several times this figure was even above 10,000 copies.

As a founder of this global weekly, Atanasoski is trying to make it fully independent, non-partisan and without his influence over the editorial policy. It should be known that "The Macedonian Sun" is an independent, national magazine, which "tells the  truth  flat out",  poking  fun  at  negative  matters, but at the same time it is also full of humanity and brotherly love towards its favorites – the Macedonians. 

At the same time the magazine accords respect to other minorities living in Mac- edonia. It is not by chance that it keeps on publishing the heading titled "Our Christian Faith". It is a result of the fact that Mr. Atanasoski believes in God, believes in himself, and believes both in his people and his country. To him Florida is beautiful, but Macedonia – it’s a God's paradise! Therefore Atanasoski says that it is humane and moral to respect all people in the world, but it is even better to love your own nation first, and then the others.

The first issue of the weekly "The Macedoni- an Sun" was published on June 24, 1994 and from then until today it has been published continuously, with some fluctuations. On two occasions its format was changed. Thus, from number 493 on December 12, 2003 to number 763 on February 13 in 2009 it was published in color, with 64 pages The newspaper "The Macedonian Sun" was distributed and marketed in printed form in the Republic of Macedonia and around the world where Macedonians live – in Europe, America, Canada, and Australia.

Since 2003 - Director: Elizabeta Hadji-Sto- janova  Kosturska,  Aleksandar  Keltanoski,  editor in chief; Editorial staff: Kokan Stojchev, Zhaklina Mitevska,  Mileva  Lazova,  Mishko  Taleski,  Miro- slav Georgievski; Associates: Frosina Tashevska- Remenski, Dejan Savovski, Aleksandar Vuchevski, Zhivanka Filipovska; Sinisha Karic; Technical Editor: Vladimir Stojkovski, Silvana Blazheva; Proofreader: Zorica Kmetovska; Typist: Suzana Josifovska, and secretary of the editor’s office.

As of 2008 the editor in chief is Aleksandar Keltanoki, while the editorial staff consists of: Ko- kan Stojchev, Zhaklina Mitevska, Mileva Lazova, Mishko Taleski, Miroslav Georgievski; Associates: Frosina Tashevska-Remenski, Dejan Savovski, Aleksandar Vuchevski, Zhivanka Filipovska; Sinisha Ka- ric , technical editor; Vladimir Stojkovski, technical editor; Silvana Blazheva, proofreader; Zorica Kme- tovska, typist; Suzana Josifovska, secretary of the editor’s office, and Mile Ocevski, distributor.

New horizons have opened up in the informa- tion activity of the Republic of Macedonia with the publishing of the weekly “The Macedonian Sun”. Its first edition was actually a holiday for journalism in Macedonia. Therefore, on the occasion of the release of the first edition and the promotion of "The Macedonian Sun", the President of the World Macedonian Congress of North America, Mr. George Atanasoski, founder and owner of the magazine, addressed the newspaper readers and the entire Macedonian public in the Republic Macedonia and in the Macedonian diaspora. He gave more details

about the mission and goals of “The Macedonian Sun" and, among other things, he said: My dear readership,

The launching ceremony of ‘The Macedonian Sun’ on June 24, 1994 in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia, is an exceptional act in the Macedonian national, spiritual, cultural and economic unity. The emer- gence of the first Macedonian global weekly marks the beginning of an authentic, long awaited forum for information and communication for Macedonians from all continents. ‘The Macedonian Sun’ is now an integral part of the written Macedonian thoughts, but, at the same time, it is a leading impetus in the promotion of Macedonian journalism.

The Macedonian Sun’ belongs to the Macedonian people completely. Your participation in the pages of this newspaper is its strongest qualitative trait, its greatest asset. Therefore I’m especially glad that you have accepted ‘The Macedonian Sun’ with great enthusiasm and that you have started to actively in- volve yourselves in the processes of communication with other Macedonians around the world. The large number of letters that arrive in our editor’s office with contents to be approved, your greetings and wishes for personal participation in these processes proves that information uniting Macedonians should continue to be successfully developed.

The pages of this newspaper are wide open for all Macedonians from all political options to communicate their information, suggestions and opinions, their analytical reviews and creative ideas relevant to the democratic development of the Macedonian naIt seems that the sun (‘sonce’ in Macedonian) of Kutlesh is a symbol of the life and work of the American businessman George Atanasoski and his investments in the Republic of Macedonia: the magazine “The Macedonian Sun” (Makedonsko sonce), TV-station “Sonce” and Hotel “Sonce GA”. 

In addition, there is a large number of organizations, insti- tutions clubs, associations and other institutions in Macedonia and throughout the world whose sym- bol is the sixteen-ray sun, including the name of the restaurant of businessman Risto Gushterov in Na- ples, Florida, named “Palatica” (Kutlesh). tion and culture. We use this opportunity to encour- age the Macedonians in the Republic and abroad, regardless of their political and religious affiliation, to actively join in global communication in all fields of interest to our fatherland Macedonia. 

Since only a tolerant dialogue among us, the Macedonians - which in its essence is an open discussion of ideas for specific solutions to problems that Macedonia faces – is a guarantee of its long-term economic and educa- tional development.

Before a large audience, founder Atanasoski said that he was deeply convinced that conditions were ripe for something which had been discussed in Macedonian history so much, but was poorly im- plemented in practice. He spoke with conviction that The Macedonian Sun was born for the Mace- donian people with the vision of becoming a lead- ing forum which would replace the bland quarrels from the every day life of the Macedonian politics and journalism. It would put forward tolerance and concrete proposals on how best to achieve Mac- edonian national interests.

 Continuing, Atanasoski stressed that, "We categorically reject the current separation and schisms that are a shadow over Macedonian unity, as the sword of Damocles. In parting, we offer that "The Macedonian  Sun":  will  multiply  the  rich  potential of ideas from the Macedonian people with whose assistance, it is widely known, answers to all challenges will be found; even in the toughest moments of stubbornness; to establish continuity of long-term efforts of Macedonians to create their own authen- tic  newspapers  throughout  history  immortalizing the existence of their nation; and to raise the level of civilization in Macedonia. 

Our mission is to use, to the maximum, the enormously rich and diverse in- tellectual and spiritual potential that has made the Macedonian people a distinctive nation in history, in order to open up new horizons in their existence and continuation. ‘The Macedonian Sun’ has guaranteed that opportunity far into the future."

On the occasion of the 5th anniversary of pub- lishing The Macedonian Sun, in July 1999, the found- er of this weekly, George Atanasoski, expressed his satisfaction and addressed in writing the reader- ship and the public in Macedonia in general, saying:

My dear readership! Five years have passed since June 24, 1994 when the weekly "The Macedonian Sun" first threw light on Macedonians at home and abroad. The need for "The Sun" existed then as it exists today because we still cannot say that our news outlets are completely free, as is the case with "The Sun" which does not depend on any party and is therefore a unique, to- tally independent newspaper. As a result, it could be freely called "a newspaper of truth.

 The development of the newspaper is one of the few things of which we can be extremely proud. This newspaper is the first voice in defense of Macedoni- an interests at home and abroad. We are among the first in Macedonia to publish it on the Internet, and we have about 65,000 internet visitors per month. From today's issue onwards we will continue with this new format. 

Soon we will expand our Internet coverage to better inform the world about Macedo- nia and to promote Macedonian culture and national interests. For several months thus far "The Sun" has been providing its Media-Monitor, pieces of informa- tion and articles for Macedonia and about Macedo- nia published in the international media to inform all those interested in Macedonia through e-mail on a daily basis. 

For two years we have been publishing a monthly Internet magazine "The Makedonika" for Macedonian history and culture where articles of eminent historians who deal with this topic are col- lected and published in English and Macedonian. Two weeks ago we opened a "chat forum" on the Inter- net where Macedonians and friends from around the world can gather and discuss the problems in Mac- edonia. Plans are many. A lot of work is waiting for us but with your help, my dear readers, we are going to realize the ideals of our ancestors for a free, united and strong Macedonia.

As founder of the newspaper, I would like to thank all readers worldwide who have supported and are supporting us now. I’m sending a message to all of them that we will tirelessly continue to fight until Macedonia fulfills the dreams of our ancestors," wrote George Atanasoski.

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the weekly "The Macedonian Sun", however, its edition number 548/549 dated December 30, 2004, which was published in color, presented extensive material on the work and staff of the newspaper. In his special address Mr. George Atanasoski, founder of "The Macedonian Sun", stated that he had been following the idea of the great Macedonian who did not enslave but rather united nations - Alexan- der III of Macedon (the Great). 

To be continue

By Slave Nikolovski-Katin

Macedonian Timeline Australia