Steve and Lilly Pliakes

Introduction

Steve Pliakes or Stefo Plakov, as he prefers to introduce himself, is a Canadian Macedonian,
or Macedonian Canadian whose origin is from the beautiful Macedonian village of Zeleniche,
in the region of Lerin, from the Aegean part of Macedonia. He is well recognized among the
Macedonians in Canada and in the United States.

Businessman Steve Pliakes is a prominent Macedonian who has initiated, organized and fought
for the affirmation and the defense of the Macedonian name, and its people. His spiritual
connection and involvement with the Macedonian Orthodox Church as past president reminds
him of the call to Apostle Paul to come to Macedonian and free it from Roman occupation.

This emotion and patriotism for his grandfather's country of Macedonia has motivated him to
become a defender and promoter of the history and honor of the Macedonian people. Steve is
particularly active in promoting democracy in Macedonia to protect the Macedonian name, flag,
constitution and he is a promoter for the recognition of Macedonia as a sovereign,
independent and self-governed state in the Balkans and around the world.

Steve Pliakes love for history has encouraged him to defend the continuous link between
ancient and modern Macedonia. With his commitment to preserve the ancient Macedonian roots
he has been a voice to the truth about Ancient Macedonia worldwide. Together with Professor
Michael Dimitri, in 1995 Steve travelled to Pakistan visited the Kalesh people who are
considered descendants of Alexander III of Macedonia (the Great).

His work and perennial creative engagement with a strong desire and appreciation within the
Macedonian community in Canada, and also, now in Florida, are an example for others to
follow. This commitment includes the organization of humanitarian activities for sponsoring
research activities in the field of history, culture, spiritual living, sports, gatherings,
picnics and other activities to promote the Macedonian cause in the Diaspora.

After the independence of the Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Pliakes was actively involved in
the political scene, locally and at the international, fighting for the preservation and
fostering of the national interests of Macedonians in Macedonia, in the Balkans and
worldwide. He pays particular attention to the national and common progress and
coexistence of all Macedonians, regardless of their political, religious, economic and
other geographical perspectives. Therefore, he consistently says that we have only our
Macedonia, which is the one and is irreplaceable for all Macedonians.

As the president of the "United Macedonians" in Toronto, one of the oldest Macedonian
organizations in North America Steve mastered his political voice as defender of the
Macedonian people of the North American diaspora. During his mandate as president he
advocated for the expelled Macedonians from the (Greek occupied) Aegean part of Macedonia.

In addition, he was president and organizer of the Canadian-Macedonian Olympic Committee
in Canada, who gave significant financial support to sponsor Canadian-Macedonian Athletes
to compete with the Macedonian Olympians at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, and Beijing in
2008. Steve Pliakes was the man who carried the Macedonian flag in front of Macedonian
athletes at both Olympics, which made him the happiest Macedonian in the world.

Among other activities in Canada, Steve became a member of the Masonic Lodge in Newmarket.
As a Mason, he became renowned as an advocate for human rights, and especially the rights
of Macedonians in Canada, and the world. He continues to collaborate with Canadian
authorities to promote the rights of Macedonians in Canada and foster a bridge between
Canada and the Republic of Macedonia.

Steve Pliakes was born on June 2nd 1940 in the village of Zeleniche, in the region of
Lerin, in the Aegean part of Macedonia. He witnessed the Macedonian partisan movement for freedom, at the same time, he was also a witness to the Greek fascist movement who’s
policy was to erase the Macedonian people and identity from northern Greece. This began
during Steve’s grandfather’s time during the Ottoman occupation before 1912
and after 1913, the start of Greek occupation and assimilation. Steve was witness to the
Greek assimilation of Macedonians and this is what drove his father and family out of their
homeland.

In Canada, Steve Pliakes and his wife Lilly were free of discrimination and oppression
from the Greek state. Therefore, they have been committed to the democratic and multicultural
Canadian society. This has given them the chance to be great benefactors and donors to many
important national and cultural events in Canada and the United States where many Macedonians
from all parts of Macedonia reside.

Steve Lilly’s love for their Macedonian compatriots worldwide includes donating funds
for humanitarian purposes such as dialysis machines to the Republic of Macedonia. They have
sponsored news media, portals, organizations, churches and other associations in their
homeland and elsewhere in the world where Macedonians live.

They have also challenge other Macedonia business people to promote the Macedonian name.
Their contribution includes naming their shopping center "Macedonian Plaza" in Newmarket.
Therefore, it is right to say that Steve Pliakes is a true Macedonian who’s dedicated
himself to our national cause. Guided by the love of Macedonia, its people and history.

Since the independence of the Republic of Macedonia in 1991, he’s been advocating for
Macedonia in the Diaspora, particularly in Canada and the United States. He has actively
involved himself in the political and economic scene locally. Internationally, he has been
directly engaged in the preservation and fostering of business interests of Macedonians in
Canada and worldwide.

Edited with permission from: Steve Pliakes Monograph by Slave Katin