Macedonian flag raised in New York Financial District for 35th anniversary
United Macedonian Diaspora organised the ceremony in front of the Charging Bull; anthems and Andrijana Janevski's performance marked the event.
On September 26, 2026, the Macedonian flag was ceremonially raised in New York’s Financial District to mark the 35th anniversary of the country’s independence. The event took place in front of the well-known Charging Bull statue and was organised by the United Macedonian Diaspora.
Ceremony and speeches
Dozens of Macedonians attended despite poor weather and forecasts for a storm, organisers said. The programme included performances of the Macedonian and American anthems and a live rendition of the song "Zemjo Mila" by singer Andrijana Janevski.
"With this gesture we want to remind everyone that we are here and that we will not disappear. Like today's weather, we have had 35 difficult years in which they tried to erase us, but they did not succeed and we are still here. The task of the UMD is to gather Macedonians, because we are stronger when we are together," said Ardzi Belio of the United Macedonian Diaspora.
Organisers thanked those who came to the Financial District despite the rain and the storm warnings. The ceremony was described as a symbolic reaffirmation of the Macedonian community’s presence in the United States on the day that marks the state’s three-and-a-half decades of independence.
Attendees laid emphasis on community unity and cultural continuity abroad as organisers announced plans for further events to connect Macedonians across the region.
Photo: press material from the event
