On 13 January, Vevchani will be in the center of attention as they open their 1400 year old traditional carnival. The event will take place in this small village, located 4 km North-West of the town of Struga.
The carnival is an interesting mix of paganism and modernism. Three traditional masks are predominant on this occasion: bridegroom and bride, August the Fool and musicians. The whole village obtains a new look, becoming a great theatre where people disguise themselves to mark everyday events and mock the authorities and the power they represent with a great deal of humor and sarcasm. The carnival ends on 14th January, the beginning of the New Year according to the old Julian calendar.
Apart from Vevchani, cthe most famous place where this carnival is held, numerous other villagers all over Macedonia celebrate the arrival of the New Year by disguising themselves and visiting the village houses and dancing. It is a moment of great fun during the rather monotonous winter life of peasants.
In the cities, the coming of the Old New Year’s Eve is celebrated in restaurants accompanied by good music, lively dance, delicious food and drinks. People from some regions even prepare homemade bread with a coin inside, which is later divided into several parts (according to the number of the family members) and the one who gets the piece with the coin is thought to be lucky throughout the year.
Welcome to Macedonia wishes all of our readers a Happy Old New Year!
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