Republikata vo plamen (1969, Yugoslavia)
Records one of the most important events in the history of the Macedonian people: about the Ilenden Uprising and the Krusevo Republic of 1903.
The Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising, or simply the Ilinden Uprising of August - October 1903, was an organized revolt against the Ottoman Empire, which was prepared and carried out by the Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization, with the support of the Supreme Macedonian-Adrianople Committee. The name of the uprising refers to Ilinden, a name for Elijah's day, and to Preobrazhenie which means Transfiguration. The revolt lasted from the beginning of August to the end of October and covered a vast territory from the eastern Black Sea coast to the shores of Lake Ohrid.The rebellion in the region of Macedonia affected most of the central and southwestern parts of the Monastir Vilayet receiving the support mainly of the local Bulgarian peasants, and to some extent of the Aromanian population of the region. Provisional government was established in the town of Kruševo, where the insurgents proclaimed the Kruševo Republic, which was overrun after just ten days, on August 12.
During the Ilinden uprising, the greatest success was achieved in the revolutionary district of Krushevo. In the summer of 1903, the chief of the revolutionary district, Nikola Karev, established an uprising headquarters. Later Karev would become president of the newly formed Krushevo Republic. He wrote the “Krushevo Manifesto” which called all peoples whom live in Macedonia to join Krushevo in the struggle for freedom.
On August 2nd in 1903, on St.Elijah's day, approximately 750 revolutionaries attacked Krushevo. After a few hours of battle, the city was taken from the Ottomans. In the area called Gumenje, the rebels created the Republic of Krushevo, which existed from the 3rd to 13th of August, 1903.
The organization of the local authorities in the Republic was impressive. The chief of the revolutionaries took care of security and safety of citizens while also being the chairman of the Council of the Republic, which consisted of 60 members - with 20 people from each ethnic community in Krushevo (Macedonian, Greek, and Vlach).
A surprised Turkish government took extensive military measures to quell the uprising: 176,000 soldiers, 3,700 mounted troops and 444 cannons were sent to Macedonia. After fierce and heroic battles near Sliva and Meckin Kamen, the Turkish forces managed to crush the Krusevo Republic and showed their customary cruelty in dealing with the rebels in Krusevo as well as other places. As a result, 201 communities were wiped out, 12,400 houses burned to the ground, more than 70,000 people were left homeless, and 8,816 were killed. Although some 30,000 people fled their homes to avoid reprisal, the toll was indeed heavy.
The uprising aroused great interest in Europe. Newspapers followed the course of events with close attention and great sympathy. They printed details of the cruel mass reprisals carried out by the Turks on the inhabitants in rebel strongholds. A powerful wave of protest followed; among the leading spokesmen were Lav Tolstoy, Maxim Gorki, Anatole France, Jean Jaures, Victor Berard, Arthur Evans, Henry Brailsford, Georges Clemenceau and others still.
In Britain, France, Italy and America, "Macedonian Committees" were set up and they organized mass meetings of support for the Macedonian rebels. Similar action was taken in Russia, Romania, and some other countries around the world.
Following the failure of this uprising, the Macedonian revolutionaries made a concerted effort to close the ranks. At the Rila Congress (held in 1905 in the name-sake Rila Monastery in Pirin Macedonia), despite differences of interest between the two sides there was general condemnation of outside interference - particularly by the Bulgarian Court - and the ultimate goal ofthe liberation of Macedonia was confirmed.
