from Islam to Orthodoxy. In the modern period, Florina Romani have distanced themselves from their relatives in Elbasan and Korçë, over concerns that links with Muslim Romani could negatively impact their local standing in the area they reside. During the late twentieth century, Florina numbered some 15,000 inhabitants. Its population was composed of Slavophone Dopii, the Greek Anatolian refugees from the Greek-Turkish population exchange and their descendants, Greeks who had recently left the former Soviet Union, Aromanians and Hellenised Aromanians from Bitola who went to Florina in 1913, Romani, Albanians, and a small number of foreigners. In fieldwork done by Riki Van Boeschoten in late 1993, the population of Florina is mixed and Greek is often the language used for communication. Minority languages are used in the town, especially on market days when farmers from the villages arrive in Florina to sell their produce. The Romani community of Florina speak Romani and are multilingual in all other languages used in the region. Florina in cinema Movies of the Greek cinema, filmed in the area by Theodoros Angelopoulos include:The BeekeeperThe Suspended Step of the StorkUlysses' GazeNotable people Alexis Alexoudis (born 1972), footballer Mary Coustas (born 1964), Australian actor Necati Cumalı (1921-2001), Turkish novelist, short-story writer & poet Peter Daicos Australian Football player (AFL); family from Vevi, Florina region Dimitris Kalamaras, sculptor Dimitrios Makris (1901–81), Member of Parliament & Minister Pericles A. Mitkas (born 1962), electronic & computer engineer, Rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Nikolaos Pyrzas (1880-1947), leader during the Macedonian Struggle Nadia Tass (active 1979 to present), Australian director & actor Vassy (born 1983), Australian singer, songwriter & producer; family possibly of Florina origin Pavlos Voskopoulos (born 1964), politician & leader of the Rainbow party Gallery ReferencesThe Columbia Encyclopedia, 2004Encyclopædia Britannica, 2005The Penguin Encyclopedia of Places, 1999Rough Guide to Greece, Mark Ellingham et al.'', 2000 Notes External links City of Florina Florina regional unit Awarded "EDEN – European Destinations of Excellence" non traditional tourist destination 2007 Municipalities of Western Macedonia Greek prefectural capitals Populated places in Florina (regional unit)