The Macedonians in Greece recently concluded a very successful three day festival (panagir) of the feast day of the Prophet Elijah (ILINDEN), which is celebrated as both a religious and traditional holiday by the Macedonians living in Greece. On August 2nd, 1903, the Macedonians rose up against the Ottomans. This day, being the holiday of the prophet Elijah, became a national holiday as well. Note, the Greek Orthodox Church changed the calendar, from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar in the 1960s. According to the new (Gregorian) calendar the Prophet Elijah's day is celebrated on July 20th by the Macedonians of Greece as a religious holiday in which the ethnic Macedonians express their national identity by various cultural manifestations (including traditional Macedonian Song & Dance). The events take place in the village of Ovcharani (Meliti) in Greece. Not to forget their Macedonian brothers and sisters across the border, in the Republic of Macedonia, the Macedonians in Greece, celebrate August 2nd as well - as a national holiday.

The three day celebration culminating with the festival of the prophet Elijah was extremely successful. However, the event was somewhat marred by interference from Greek authorities, who on several occasions attempted to stop the singing of songs in the Macedonian language. Thanks to the resilience of the Macedonians the efforts of the Greek authorities were to no avail.

In addition to the above, a group of Greek extremists from Australia, Canada and the United States arrived at the celebration. Their attendance coincided with the holding of a conference in Solun (Thessaloniki) of the so-called "pan-macedonian" organization - an organization of ethnic Greeks, and not ethnic Macedonians. The aim of the "pan-macedonians" was to disseminate anti-Macedonian propaganda. These provocateurs came at the insistence and with the support of the local Greek authorities in an effort to undermine the Macedonian nature of the celebrations.

The Macedonians did not oppose these provocations by the Greek authorities with any form of violence, but only by the peaceful manifestation of Macedonian cultural unity. The festivities consisted not only of Macedonian traditional dance but also extensive singing of Macedonian songs (more than 5 hours straight on each of the 3 days) which went into the early hours of the following morning. An air of harmony could be felt amongst all Macedonians gathered, with both young and old taking part in the vocal proceedings.