The Macedonian Question – changes in content over time

The purpose of this essay is to give the chronology and phases of the evolution of the “the Macedonian Question”. The main idea is to present the chain of events and disputes that generated the complexity in defining the Macedonian national identity within the fames of the nation building processes on the Balkan Peninsula. The Balkans is characterized by diversity of ethnic, religious and national identities. One must wander: Why so many disputes? What is so specific about this region that makes it so difficult to be understood? What will be the future to come and is there ever end to the cycle of “self reproduction “of this particular question over time? The study will deal with five main parts, each framed in a historical perspective. The first one is the Macedonian Question as a part of the “Eastern Question”, which gives the main background for what is to happen later. In the second part, that is a consequence of the first, the spotlight will be given to the Macedonian Question and the Balkan Wars. Afterwards, a discussion will be raised on the major identity ‘break-through’ and the Macedonian ‘Quasi-state’ in the Yugoslav Federation. The last two parts are closely connected and deal with the ‘reinvention’ of the Macedonian Question: unfolding the internal aspect of the problem (the interference with the “Albanian question“in Kosovo), as well as, the external dimension (the problem of the official name of the Republic of Macedonia).