View source for Meliti

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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox Greek Dimos
|name               = Meliti
|name_local         = Μελίτη
|type = community
|image_skyline      = Florina_(City)_Greece_-_Semi-Aerial_View.JPG
|caption_skyline    = Florina city- in the background is the electricity power plant of Meliti.
|city_flag          =
|city_seal          =
|coordinates        = {{coord|40|49.80|N|21|34.88|E|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation      = 680
|periph             = [[Western Macedonia]]
|periphunit         = [[Florina (regional unit)|Florina]]
|municipality = [[Florina]]
|municunit = [[Meliti (municipal unit)|Meliti]]
|population_as_of   = 2021
|population = 1212
|area       =
|postal_code        =
|area_code          =
|licence            =
|website            =
|georegion          = [[Macedonia (Greece)|Macedonia]]}}

'''Meliti''' ({{langx|el|Μελίτη}}, before 1926: Βοστεράνη – ''Vosterani'';<ref name="pandektisVoMe">{{Cite web|author=Institute for Neohellenic Research|title=Name Changes of Settlements in Greece: Vosterani – Meliti|url=http://pandektis.ekt.gr/pandektis/handle/10442/170202|website=Pandektis|access-date=30 March 2022}}</ref> {{langx|bg|Овчарани or Вощарани}}, {{langx|mk|Овчарани}}) is a village in the [[Florina (regional unit)|Florina regional unit]], [[Western Macedonia]], [[Greece]], 15&nbsp;km northeast of the city of [[Florina]]. It is part of the municipal unit [[Meliti (municipal unit)|Meliti]]. 

==Name==
The name of the village is "Voshterani", "Voštarani" (''Воштарани'', ''Вощарани'') or "Ovčarani" (''Овчарани'') in both [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]] and [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]].<ref name=odrinsko /> The village was called ''Türbeli'' during the [[Ottoman Empire]].<ref name=odrinsko /> In 1926, it was [[Former toponyms of Greek places|renamed]] to "Meliti" in Greek.<ref name="pandektisVoMe"/>

==History==
The village was first mentioned in an Ottoman [[defter]] of 1481, where it was listed under the name ''Voštarani'' and described as having one hundred and ninety-eight households.<ref>{{cite book |last= Kravari|first=Vassiliki |title=Villes et villages de Macédoine occidentale |series= Réalités byzantines|volume=2|year=1989|publisher= Editions P. Lethielleux|location= Paris| pages = 349–350 |language=French |isbn=2-283-60452-4}}</ref> During the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] period, the village had a mixed Bulgarian and Turkish population.<ref name=odrinsko>"Македония и Одринско. Статистика на населението от 1873 г." Македонски научен институт, София, 1995, с. 82-83, Петров, Гьорче. Материали по изучаванието на Македония, София 1896, с. 70, [http://www.promacedonia.org/vk/vk_2_38.htm Васил Кънчов. "Македония. Етнография и статистика". София, 1900, стр.249.]</ref> In 1845 the Russian [[slavist]] Victor Grigorovich recorded ''Vushtarani'' (''Вуштарани'') as mainly [[Bulgarians (Macedonia)|Bulgarian]] village.<ref>[http://www.vostlit.info/Texts/Dokumenty/Bulgarien/XIX/1840-1860/Grigorovic/text3.phtml?id=2234 Григорович, Виктор. Очерки путешествiя по Европейской Турцiи, Москва, 1877]</ref> A Bulgarian school stood in the village at the beginning of 20th century.<ref>[http://anemi.lib.uoc.gr/php/pdf_pager.php?filename=%2Fvar%2Fwww%2Fanemi-portal%2Fmetadata%2F6%2F9%2F5%2Fattached-metadata-5d3c137498cf87397083652dec9dfdac_1242889374%2F154547_w.pdf&rec=&do=&width=1031&height=728&pagestart=1&maxpage=141&lang=en&pageno=92&pagenotop=92&pagenobottom=94 D.M.Brancoff. "La Macedoine et sa Population Chretienne". Paris, 1905, p.176-177.]</ref>

After the [[Balkan Wars]], Greece annexed the village. In [[World War I]], Bulgaria occupied it, but with [[Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine]] it was returned to Greece. After the [[Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922)]], the Turkish population left the village and Greek refugees from Anatolia were settled there. The village mosque was destroyed and its minaret demolished.<ref name="Stavridopoulos281"/> A Muslim [[türbe]] (burial monument) on a hill above the village was destroyed.<ref name="Stavridopoulos281">{{cite thesis|last=Stavridopoulos|first=Ioannis|date=2015|title=Μνημεία του άλλου: η διαχείριση της οθωμανικής πολιτιστική κληρονομιάς της Μακεδονίας από το 1912 έως σήμερα|trans-title=Monuments of the other: The management of the Ottoman cultural heritage of Macedonia from 1912 until present|type=Ph.D.|language=el|publisher=University of Ioannina|url=https://www.didaktorika.gr/eadd/handle/10442/43568|access-date=28 March 2022|page=281}}</ref>

After the defeat of Greece by [[Nazi Germany]] in April 1941, a local government was established and villagers were actively involved in the pro-Bulgarian organization "[[Ohrana]]." In 1946, 20 activists from "Ohrana", were sentenced to prison by a court in [[Florina]].<ref>{{cite journal|first=Dobrin|last=Mičev|year=1998|title=Bălgarskoto nacionalno delo v Jugozapadna Makedonija (1941–1944 g.)|journal=Makedonski Pregled|volume=21|issue=1|publisher=Makedonski Naučen Institut}}</ref> During the [[Greek Civil War]], about 200 villagers joined the [[Communist Party of Greece|Communist]]-led [[Democratic Army of Greece]].<ref>[http://novazora.gr/arhivi/524 ОВЧАРАНИ – ΟΦΤΣΣΑΡΑΝΙ]</ref> 

In 2008, a group of roughly 30 villagers from Meliti joined in protest with fellow Macedonians from [[Lofoi]] and [[Kella, Florina|Kella]] to protest the presence of the Greek military conducting training exercises in the vicinity of these villages.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.utrinski.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=545F66C126F05447876412CECCA35106 |title=Parliamentary members seek urgent help from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe |access-date=19 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927074330/http://www.utrinski.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=545F66C126F05447876412CECCA35106 |archive-date=27 September 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[http://www.vreme.com.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=1&EditionID=1525&ArticleID=100338 The Demonstrations in Florina]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Culture==
Meliti holds an annual festival in honour of the Prophet [[Elijah]]. Held every year on 19–20 July, it is known as "Ilinden" in the [[Prilep-Bitola dialect|local dialect]], and is considered by some [[ethnic Macedonians|Macedonians]] living in the village to be a celebration in honour of the [[Ilinden Uprising]]. The festival has attracted performers from the neighbouring [[Republic of North Macedonia]] such as [[Vaska Ilieva]], Suzana Spasovska, [[Elena Velevska]], Synthesis and the [[Tanec]] folklore ensemble.<ref>[http://www.mn.mk/iselenici-region/2227-Makedoncite-vo-Grcija-go-proslavija-Ilinden-vo-Ovcarani The Macedonians in Greece celebrate Ilinden in Ovcarani]</ref><ref>[http://www.time.mk/read/1677e0676d/bed5da1479/index.html The Macedonians in Ovcarani answer Karamanlis] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120917174253/http://www.time.mk/read/1677e0676d/bed5da1479/index.html |date=17 September 2012 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=7219956223&id=9&setIzdanie=21743 And this year in Ovcarani they celebrate Ilinden] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025120934/http://www.novamakedonija.com.mk/NewsDetal.asp?vest=7219956223&id=9&setIzdanie=21743 |date=25 October 2014 }}</ref> An estimated 3,000–5,000 people attend the event every year.

The festival however has not gone without criticism from the Greek authorities and local Greek media. In the past, as was common with all festivals involving songs in [[Macedonian language|Macedonian]], there were suppressive measures enforced by local authorities.<ref name="kwstopoulos_apagoreymenh_glwssa_sel_364_365"/> According to the president of the local community, this was so severe that it was only until 1983 that songs in the Macedonian language were allowed to be sung.<ref name="dnevnik.com.mk">{{Cite web |url=http://www.dnevnik.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=E4D855292DD71444BD8C7BA5C3253BAB |title=Радио на маке донски ќе ечи од Лерин до Солун |access-date=8 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323015155/http://www.dnevnik.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=E4D855292DD71444BD8C7BA5C3253BAB |archive-date=23 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1988 the local police interrupted the festival to by switching off all power to the sound system, a reaction to the singing of Macedonian songs. The police later justified these actions claiming that the mayor of the village had been warned not to use the Macedonian names of songs, but to instead use the Greek version. Two years later the police employed similar tactics in response to a folkloric group singing in Macedonian.<ref name="kwstopoulos_apagoreymenh_glwssa_sel_364_365"/> Some Greek media has perceived the festival to constitute a threat alleging that the festival represents a "rebellion against Greek sovereignty".<ref name="kwstopoulos_apagoreymenh_glwssa_sel_364_365">{{cite book | title=Η απαγορευμένη γλώσσα - Κρατική Καταστολή των Σλαβικών Διαλέκτων στην Ελληνική Μακεδονία | author=Τάσος Κωστόπουλος | year=2008 | publisher=Βιβλιόραμα | location=Αθήνα | pages=364–365 | isbn=978-960-8087-73-6}}</ref><ref name="dnevnik.com.mk"/> Within the Macedonian media however, an alternate approach has been taken, with the event being publicised as the largest annual gathering of [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonians]] in [[Greece]].<ref name="mn_mk_profhthsh_hlias_panhgyri_meliti_2010">{{cite news | url=http://www.mn.mk/iselenici-region/2227-Makedoncite-vo-Grcija-go-proslavija-Ilinden-vo-Ovcarani | title=Македонците во Грција го прославија Илинден во Овчарани. | accessdate=8 September 2011 | date=21 July 2010 | publisher=Македонска нација}}</ref><ref name="time_mk_meliti_profhths_hlias_festival">{{cite news | url=http://www.time.mk/read/1677e0676d/bed5da1479/index.html | title=Македонците во Овчарани му одговорија на Караманлис. | accessdate=8 September 2011 | author=Ντιμιτάρ Κούλεβ | date=21 July 2008 | publisher=Bechuk | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120917174253/http://www.time.mk/read/1677e0676d/bed5da1479/index.html | archivedate=17 September 2012}}</ref>

The village is home to both [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonian]] and [[Pontic Greeks|Pontic Greek]] folkloric groups, with the Macedonian group "KUD Ovčarani" notably performing at the 40th "Macedonian Border Festival" at the border village of [[Trnovo, Bitola|Trnovo]], [[North Macedonia]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dnevnik.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=21294696A7D49A4FBB3DC1373E9A092D |title=Traditional Macedonian Gathering - Trnovo 2011 |access-date=14 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005012721/http://dnevnik.com.mk/default.asp?ItemID=21294696A7D49A4FBB3DC1373E9A092D |archive-date=5 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Demographics==
The 1920 Greek census recorded 1,292 people in the village, and 370 inhabitants (90 families) were Muslim in 1923.<ref name="Pelagidis74"/> Following the [[Population exchange between Greece and Turkey|Greek–Turkish population exchange]], [[Greek refugee]] families in Vosterani were from [[East Thrace]] (2), [[Asia Minor]] (10), [[Pontus (region)|Pontus]] (24), the [[Caucasus]] (20) and one other from an unidentified location in 1926.<ref name="Pelagidis74"/> The 1928 Greek census recorded 1,388 village inhabitants.<ref name="Pelagidis74"/> In 1928, the refugee families numbered 55 (211 people).<ref name="Pelagidis74">{{cite thesis|last=Pelagidis|first=Efstathios|date=1992|title=Η αποκατάσταση των προσφύγων στη Δυτική Μακεδονία (1923–1930)|trans-title=The rehabilitation of refugees in Western Macedonia: 1923–1930|type=Ph.D.|language=el|publisher=Aristotle University of Thessaloniki|url=https://www.didaktorika.gr/eadd/handle/10442/2403|access-date=30 March 2022|page=74}}</ref>

In fieldwork done by anthropologist Riki Van Boeschoten in late 1993, Meliti was populated by [[Slavic speakers of Greek Macedonia|Slavophones]] and a [[Greeks|Greek]] population descended from Anatolian Greek refugees who arrived during the population exchange.<ref name="VanB"/> The [[Macedonian language]] was used by people of all ages, both in public and private settings, and as the main language for interpersonal relationships.<ref name="VanB"/> Some elderly villagers had little knowledge of Greek.<ref name="VanB"/> [[Pontic Greek]] was spoken by people over 60, mainly in private.<ref name="VanB">{{cite journal|last=Van Boeschoten|first=Riki|title=Usage des langues minoritaires dans les départements de Florina et d'Aridea (Macédoine)|trans-title=Use of minority languages in the departments of Florina and Aridea (Macedonia)|language=fr|url=http://journals.openedition.org/strates/381|journal=Strates|volume=10|year=2001|at=}} para.1. "l’arvanitika (proche de l’albanais)"; Table 1: Réfugiés grecs; Footnote 2: Le terme « réfugié » est utilisé ici pour désigner les Grecs d’Asie Mineure qui se sont établis en Grèce dans les années vingt après l’échange de population entre la Turquie et la Grèce (Traité de Lausanne, 1924); Table 3: Meliti, 1511; S, R, M1, P3; S = Slavophones, R = Refugiés, M = macédonien, P = dialecte pontique"</ref>

Anthropologist [[Loring Danforth]] (1997) wrote Meliti was populated by [[Macedonians (ethnic group)|Macedonians]] and Pontians.<ref name="Danforth121">{{harvnb|Danforth|1997|p=121}}. "the village of Meliti (Ofčarani in Macedonian), a mixed village of local Macedonians and Pontians about ten miles from Florina."</ref> During the [[Macedonian naming dispute]], internal splits occurred among the Meliti diaspora in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]] and  was represented in the choice of village name for community organisations, with the [[Greeks|Greek]] faction using Meliti and Voštarani by the Macedonian faction.<ref name="Danforth160">{{cite book|last=Danforth|first=Loring M.|title=The Macedonian Conflict: Ethnic Nationalism in a Transnational World|year=1997|publisher=Princeton University Press|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZmesOn_HhfEC&dq=Meliti&pg=PA127|isbn=9780691043579|page=160}}</ref>

In the mid 2000s, the village has been described as the "epicenter of Macedonian ethnic activism in Greece".<ref>Voss, Christian (2005), "The Macedonian/Standard dialect continuum", in Raymond, Detrez; Pieter, Plas, Developing cultural identity in the Balkans: convergence vs divergence, Brusells: P.I.E-Peter Lang, p. 54</ref> 

{{Historical populations
|align = none
|1913|1519
|1920|1292
|1928|1388
|1940|1759
|1951|1666
|1961|1756
|1971|1445
|1981<ref name="VanB"/>|1511
|2001<ref name=stat01>{{cite web|url=http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |publisher=National Statistical Service of Greece |title=Population & housing census 2001 (incl. area and average elevation) |language=el |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921212047/http://dlib.statistics.gr/Book/GRESYE_02_0101_00098%20.pdf |archivedate=2015-09-21 }}</ref>|1533
|2011<ref name=census11>{{cite web | url = http://www.statistics.gr/documents/20181/1210503/resident_population_census2011rev.xls | title = Απογραφή Πληθυσμού - Κατοικιών 2011. ΜΟΝΙΜΟΣ Πληθυσμός | publisher = Hellenic Statistical Authority | language = el }}</ref>|1432
|2021<ref name="census21"/>|1212
}}

== Economy ==
* [[Florina Power Station]], a [[lignite]]-fired [[power station]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Florina div}}

[[Category:Populated places in Florina (regional unit)]]
[[Category:Florina]]