Mitre the Vlach

Mitre Pangiaru, better known as Mitre the Vlach (, ) and Mitros Vlach, was аn Aromanian revolutionary of the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization. He was a revolutionary leader in the region of Kastoria.

Life

He was born in 1873 in Konomladi in Ottoman Macedonia, to Farsherot Aromanian parents from Plasë ( or ). Like his father, Mitre worked as a shepherd. He was a member of the first revolutionary band in the Kastoria region, created by Pavel Hristov in May 1900. As a member of bands, he became literate and always carried revolutionary literature. His courage earned him notoriety in Kastoria. In 1901, together with his brothers Atanas and Nume, Mitre was a member of Vasil Chekalarov's band.

His rival, Greek bishop Germanos Karavangelis, sent a letter to him under a fake name, offering him residence in Greece, a monthly salary and a free education for his sons, with chances to become officers in the Greek army. Mitre declined the offer, said that he received weapons from Bulgarian prince Ferdinand and advised the sender to not oppose the Bulgarian Committee, otherwise "he would send his skin to Kastoria." Relying on intel, Karavangelis advised the Ottomans to surround the village Zoupanitsa at night, giving Hristo from Sistevo as a guide. Mitre was killed, along with members of his band, by the Ottomans on 5 March 1907. Mitre was buried in the village Aposkep together with his entire band.

References and notes