Todor Aleksandrov

[Liberator of Makedonija]

The May Manifesto is touched on here by Greek Communist Pantelis Pouliopoulos writing in 1940:

https://www.marxists.org/archive/pou.../commac.htm#5b

[Momce Makedonce]

Am I missing something about Aleksandrov? He seems to be a very popular figure and even a favourite amongst many Macedonian patriots both in Macedonia and in the diaspora. Why is he so revered? I can see that he did some good for the cause, but I can also see he did some things which were not very good for the cause and not very Macedonian. This is why I am still a confused when it comes to him and why he seems to be such a favourite from the revolutionary period for many Macedonians.

[Liberator of Makedonija]

Originally Posted by Momce Makedonce

Am I missing something about Aleksandrov? He seems to be a very popular figure and even a favourite amongst many Macedonian patriots both in Macedonia and in the diaspora. Why is he so revered? I can see that he did some good for the cause, but I can also see he did some things which were not very good for the cause and not very Macedonian. This is why I am still a confused when it comes to him and why he seems to be such a favourite from the revolutionary period for many Macedonians.

My theory is post-communism: During the second Yugoslavia, Macedonians could really only appreciate historical figures who's views were more in line with the socialist government, with those who weren't branded as Bulgarophiles. With the end of the Cold War and the emergence of an independent Macedonian state, there grew a new outlook on our history that sought to rehabilitate figures that were demonised by the communists. Aleksandrov was often characterised as "right-wing" and so many took to raising his image as to counteract the engrained mentality in Macedonians that only the "left-wing" figures of our history had done good. It's a phenomenon that can be witnessed in all post-communist states.

[Momce Makedonce]

Originally Posted by Liberator of Makedonija

My theory is post-communism: During the second Yugoslavia, Macedonians could really only appreciate historical figures who's views were more in line with the socialist government, with those who weren't branded as Bulgarophiles. With the end of the Cold War and the emergence of an independent Macedonian state, there grew a new outlook on our history that sought to rehabilitate figures that were demonised by the communists. Aleksandrov was often characterised as "right-wing" and so many took to raising his image as to counteract the engrained mentality in Macedonians that only the "left-wing" figures of our history had done good. It's a phenomenon that can be witnessed in all post-communist states.

Okay I can see how that would be the case with post communism. I just find it interesting that from discussions in this thread we view him as a controversial character who did a mixture of good and bad acts which puts us on the fence with him, whereas some Macedonians are vehemently saying that he is their favourite. This makes me feel like I don't know something they do considering that are choosing Aleksandrov over the traditional likes of Delcev, Gruev, Karev, Guli, Sandanski and others. I mean regardless if he was left or right his life and actions remain the same so that alone surely wouldn't push people to being fond of him just because he is considered more right wing. I think you are on to something though that some people want a more right wing and 'fierce' figure to look up to considering Macedonians are generally quite peaceful and passive.

[Carlin]

Two quotes from Todor Aleksandrov:

1) ”Болшевикот Хаџидимов, aнaрхистот Герџиков, Ѓорче Петров и Санданистите, „предавниците на бугарскиот народ“ се борат и отсекогаш се бореле и агитирале за автономија на Македонија како одделна економска и географска единица, со посебен македонски народ, со посебна историја од векови наназад... Тие дури и се заканауваат дека со оружје в рака би се бореле против обединувањето на Македонија со Бугарија.” [21]

2) "Македонците никогаш нема да прифатат да бидат управувани од Грци, Срби или Бугари … Организацијата е народот, и народот е Организацијата...“ [22]

Sources:
https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C...80%D0%BE%D0%B2
http://www.sitebulgarizaedno.com/ind...-02-23-17-45-4
https://documents-mk.blogspot.com/20...ary-chief.html

[Liberator of Makedonija]

Originally Posted by Carlin15

Two quotes from Todor Aleksandrov:

1) ”Болшевикот Хаџидимов, aнaрхистот Герџиков, Ѓорче Петров и Санданистите, „предавниците на бугарскиот народ“ се борат и отсекогаш се бореле и агитирале за автономија на Македонија како одделна економска и географска единица, со посебен македонски народ, со посебна историја од векови наназад... Тие дури и се заканауваат дека со оружје в рака би се бореле против обединувањето на Македонија со Бугарија.” [21]

2) "Македонците никогаш нема да прифатат да бидат управувани од Грци, Срби или Бугари … Организацијата е народот, и народот е Организацијата...“ [22]

Sources:
https://mk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C...80%D0%BE%D0%B2
http://www.sitebulgarizaedno.com/ind...-02-23-17-45-4
https://documents-mk.blogspot.com/20...ary-chief.html

Two very contradictory statements.

[Liberator of Makedonija]

Ǵorgi Hristov from OMO Ilinden - Pirin likens Aleksandrov to Mihajlov and BND leader Krasimir Karakachanov: claims the Macedonians of Pirin all hold negative views of Aleksandrov.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMCV...NLkYZm6SdYau7A

[Soldier of Macedon]

Originally Posted by Liberator of Makedonija

Ǵorgi Hristov from OMO Ilinden - Pirin likens Aleksandrov to Mihajlov and BND leader Krasimir Karakachanov: claims the Macedonians of Pirin all hold negative views of Aleksandrov.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMCV...NLkYZm6SdYau7A

There are certainly some issues with Aleksandrov and his perspectives but I don't think it can be doubted that he had a genuine concern for Macedonia and its people. The controversy relating to his conflict with Sandanski also contributed to the negative views held by Macedonians in the Pirin region. But to compare him with Mihajlov, who cared more about himself than his people, is unfair. The comparison with Karakachanov is just an insult and can't be taken seriously.

[Liberator of Makedonija]

Originally Posted by Soldier of Macedon

There are certainly some issues with Aleksandrov and his perspectives but I don't think it can be doubted that he had a genuine concern for Macedonia and its people. The controversy relating to his conflict with Sandanski also contributed to the negative views held by Macedonians in the Pirin region. But to compare him with Mihajlov, who cared more about himself than his people, is unfair. The comparison with Karakachanov is just an insult and can't be taken seriously.

I am inclined to agree, OMO Ilinden - Pirin style themselves as the ideological successors to Sandanski, and so naturally they would possess an inherit issue with Aleksandrov. I think they made claims that Aleksandrov terrorised Pirin Macedonia, in which I am interested to know if there are any people there today who can recount stories of that being true, or if it is just the exaggerated opinion of the organisation? I would love to hear more on OMO Ilinden's views on Aleksandrov, instead of just comparing him to Mihajlov and Karakachanov without explanation

[Liberator of Makedonija]

In his memoirs, Krum Radonov (WWII partisan) claims VMRO(A) was hated by the Macedonians of Pirin because of the "black tax" they imposed and because they were seen as carrying out the oppressive will of the Bulgarian government. Radonov implicates both Protogerov and Mihajlov in the assassination of Aleksandrov.