Македонија и Македонците, Том 1

Macedonia and the Macedonians is a travelogue written by Ivan Ivanić in 1906, documenting his twelve years of work, study, and travel across Macedonia. In the preface, the author explains that his goal is to present an accurate account of the land’s geography, history, economy, and, above all, the identity of its people, whom he firmly regards as Serbs, not as members of a distinct Macedonian nation. He criticizes Bulgarian and some foreign writings as biased or inaccurate, aiming to counter these narratives with his own observations, gathered firsthand during his service in Ottoman Macedonia. The work is intended not as an academic treatise, but as a faithful portrayal for Serbian readers.

The first part of the book consists of detailed travel notes from various journeys, beginning with a trip from Solun (Thessaloniki) to Ser (Serres). Ivanić vividly describes landscapes, railways, villages, historical ruins, and encounters with locals, blending geographical observation with reflections on Serbian medieval history and cultural heritage. He frequently emphasizes the Slavic, specifically Serbian character of the rural population, noting linguistic features, folk customs, and the impact of competing national propagandas (Greek, Bulgarian, and others) on local identity. His narrative intertwines past and present, showing how medieval Serbian influence persisted in place names, architecture, and oral traditions.

Throughout, the author also highlights the political and cultural struggle for influence in Macedonia at the turn of the 20th century. He portrays how religious institutions, schools, and foreign agents sought to sway the allegiance of the Slavic population. The book’s combination of ethnographic detail, historical commentary, and personal encounters offers a unique snapshot of Ottoman Macedonia during a period of rising national tensions. Ivanić’s underlying thesis, that Macedonian Slavs are essentially Serbs, shapes his interpretations, making the work both a travel narrative and a piece of nationalist argumentation.