During the twentieth century Macedonia had a very turbulent history. Essentially the region
became the apple of discord among the Balkan states. Ethnic identity formation among immigrants
from Macedonia to Canada followed the political developments in the Balkans. This book
illustrates the late emergence of an ethnic Macedonian community in Toronto and the roots of
the clash between the Macedonian Greek and Bulgarian ethnic communities. The author tackles a
number of important questions: When did the Macedonian ethnic identity start in Canada? What
was the ethnic affiliation of the first Macedonian immigrants' cultural organizations and
churches in Toronto? Why did they use the Bulgarian language? Why do their first churches
continue to be called Macedono-Bulgarian churches? Did all immigrants have one monolithic
ethnic identity? The author relies upon three different types of literature: national identity
development and theories Balkan history and ethnic studies of the Bulgarian Macedonian and
Greek settlements of Toronto. Oral interviews conducted in Toronto by the author and other
researchers enhance this volume. The book sheds light on a much contested subject which
continues to fuel debate from Skopje Athens and Sofia to Toronto and Melbourne.
