MORE than 2500 people gathered last Sunday at Rockdale to mark the 22nd anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Macedonia.
Flags were raised, speeches were heard and there was even a spot of traditional dancing.
Rockdale councillor Nick Mickovski, who is of Macedonian heritage, said the event was a wonderful success.
‘‘King Street was transformed into ‘Macedonian Place’,’’ Cr Mickovski said. ‘‘If anything, the event exceeded expectations.’’
The Macedonian community has strong ties to Rockdale, with more than 5000 residents identifying as having Macedonian ancestry in the 2011 census.
Cr Mickovski said it was the first time Australian Macedonians had celebrated their Independence Day in Sydney.
‘‘It is a young country obviously, but it is a confident and free multi-ethnic society; I’m sure Sunday marked the beginning of even better celebrations to come.’’
The Republic of Macedonia was once part of the former Republic of Yugoslavia. But following a number of political crises during the early 1990s Yugoslavia broke up into many independent nations, including the Republic of Macedonia which got its independence in 1991.
Rockdale Council supported the celebration with a $4759 donation which included waiving the fees for staging the event in King Street Place.
