BREZNITSA

Breznitsa had its name changed by the Greek Government to Vatohorion. It is a part of the Lerin region about 32 kilometres southwest of the town. It is on the ridge of the renowned mountain Vrba and Lisich and 21 degrees 09 minutes longitude and 40 degrees 40 minutes latitude and 880 metres above sea level and with an area of about 20 square kilometres.

The village borders to the north with Rulja and on the other sides there is mountain. Near it there is no other settled village.

In 1945 there were about 780 residents of Macedonian background.

The residents were employed in raising livestock, timber getting, agriculture and other necessary occupations and trades.

During the Greek Civil War the residents actively took part in the organization of NOF and the armed forces of DAG led by KPG with more than 130 active fighters. 29 gave their lives and in the time of the Albanian war, a further 3 died.

They were:

1. Argjirova Vane Elena
2. Belo Leonida Hristo
3. Belo Kosta
4. Vlashev Vane Lambro
5. Vlashev Pando Dimitar
6. Gatsov Lazo Nikola
7. Gulentsov Dono Ziso
8. Gjerginova Atina
9. Gjurova Naum Olga
10. Zhajkova Atanas Atina
11. Zhajkova Gjorgi Jordana
12. Zhogovski Gjorgi Petre
13. Zaspali Vasil Sofija
14. Zaspali Risto Eni
15. Zaspalov Todor Vasil
16. Kalemi Stojko Doncho
17. Kalemi Mitre Kostadina
18. Kalemovski Spiro Atanas
19. Kolovski Lambro Ilija
20. Kolovski Lambro Risto - brothers
21. Kolovska Spiro Olimpija
22. Kostadinov Kosta
23. Kostadinov Tashko Vasil
24. Mandzhukov Sotir Ilija
25. Mandzhukov Krste Lazar
26. Papagjeorgjiu Mihali Vasil
27. Pashkinov Petre Vasil
28. Popovski Mitre Zoja
29. Seri Apostol Sotir
30. Topsi Ilija Apostoli
31. Fatsi Risto Nikola
32. Shimbov Kosta Tashko

The details of the fallen fighters were given by Argirovski Dimitar Tashko from Breznitsa, a participant in DAG from 1947-49.

Of the fallen, 22 were men and 10 were women.

The number of residents fell after the Greek Civil War and the forced emigration from the village. The 1991 census recorded 51 residents.

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