Ten Macedonians based in the United States, Canada, Australia and France are the first honorees in the 2026 United Macedonian Diaspora 40 Under 40 awards. They include Antonio Ilijevski of Utah, who founded a digital project to preserve Macedonian history, language and culture.
The first group also includes Delfina Shakespeare of Florey, Australia, and Aneta Trajkova of Lyon, France. United Macedonian Diaspora plans to introduce 10 honorees at a time throughout November.
From Skopje to Utah
Originally from Skopje, Ilijevski now lives in Utah and works at the University of Utah. He founded Makedonska Drzava, a digital project focused on preserving Macedonian heritage.
The project brings historical and cultural material online, including archives and resources related to the Macedonian language. For Macedonians living abroad, it offers a way to explore the history and language behind traditions passed down in their families.
United Macedonian Diaspora introduced Ilijevski in a separate profile that highlighted his work on the project.
How the 40 Under 40 Awards Work
The United Macedonian Diaspora 40 Under 40 awards recognize Macedonians under 40 for leadership, professional achievement and contributions to their communities. Nominations for the 2026 class opened on April 1 and closed on June 1.
With the first group announced, 30 honorees are still to be introduced. The organization plans to announce 10 more each week throughout November.
