Top Festivals and Celebrations to Attend in Macedonia

Macedonia is a country that is rich in culture and history, and this is reflected in its many colorful cultural events. And that is evident in the many festivals and celebrations that take place throughout the year. From ancient pagan rituals to modern music festivals, there is always something happening, that celebrates the country’s unique cultural heritage.

Here are just a few of the cultural events and festivals  that you shouldn’t miss:

The Galicnik Wedding – A Celebration of Love and Tradition

Every year on July 12th, during the weekend surrounding the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, the Galichnik Wedding is celebrated in the small village of Galichnik, located in the western part of North Macedonia.

This unique and unforgettable event is renowned for its original and unrepeatable wedding customs and rituals that have been passed down through generations.

During the event which lasts for a few days, the selected couple from the village gets married in a traditional wedding style that is followed by folk songs, dances, and unique customs. The Galichnik Wedding has contributed greatly to preserving the original songs, dances, and the famous Galichnik traditional dress.

While throughout the year, the village Galicnik is home to only a few residents, during the days of the Wedding Festival, thousands of domestic, as well as international visitors come to the village to attend this special event.

The Vevcani Carnival: Where Tradition and Festivity Collide

For a more unusual festival experience, check out the Vevcani Carnival. This centuries-old tradition takes place in the small village of Vevcani. The carnival has been celebrated for over 1,400 years and has become a beloved tradition in the region.

The festival usually takes place in early January and lasts for two days. It is a celebration of the New Year and the end of the old one.

The carnival is famous for its unique and creative masks, costumes, and rituals that reflect the local folklore and traditions. The carnival is said to have pagan roots and is meant to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year.

The main event of the carnival is the grand parade, where hundreds of locals dress up in elaborate costumes and masks and march through the streets, dancing and singing to the beat of traditional Macedonian music.

The masks and costumes are usually made from natural materials, such as wool, fur, and wood, and are decorated with colorful beads, feathers, and other embellishments.

Raise a Glass to Macedonia’s Finest Wines at the Tikves Wine Festival

If you’re a fan of wine, be sure to visit North Macedonia in September for the Tikves Wine Festival, you shouldn’t miss the traditional wine harvest event in Kavadarci.

From September 6 to 9, Kavadarci hosts the “Tikveski grozdober”, one of the largest local events for wine lovers. For over 50 years, this traditional event has been a regional attraction and unique experience for visitors.

Kavadarci is one of the largest grape and wine producers in Macedonia and among the largest in the Balkans. 

Tikves winery processes about 30,000 tonnes of grapes a year and markets its wines in over 15 foreign countries, making it the largest such operation in Macedonia.

So why not plan your visit in September and join the celebration? Who knows, you might just discover your new favorite wine.

Celebrating the Power of Words at Struga Poetry Evenings

If you’re a literature enthusiast, you won’t want to miss out on the Struga Poetry Evenings, a cultural event that has been celebrated in Macedonia for over half a century.

This annual event is held in the city of Struga towards the end of August and attracts some of the most distinguished poets from around the world. The festival celebrates the art of poetry with readings, performances, and competitions.

The festival opens with the reading of the famous poem “T’ga za jug” (“Longing for the South”) by Konstantin Miladinov, a pioneer of modern Macedonian poetry. This tradition sets the tone for the rest of the festival, which is dedicated to the art of poetry.

The highlight of the Struga Poetry Evenings is the awarding of the “Golden Wreath” to a renowned poet chosen each year. This international poetry award is one of the most prestigious in the world, and previous recipients include Pablo Neruda, Allen Ginsberg, Ted Hughes, Joseph Brodsky, Tomas Tranströmer and many more.

Over the years, more than 5,000 poets from over a hundred countries have participated in the Struga Poetry Evenings, making it the largest gathering of poets in the world.

The festival has become a melting pot of cultures and civilizations, with the sound of many languages mingling on the Poetry Bridge over the picturesque river Black Drim.

Cheers to Summer: Pivo Fest

Pivo Fest is one of the most popular festivals in Macedonia, held annually in the town of Prilep. It is a celebration of beer, food, music, and culture, and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the country and beyond.

The festival usually takes place in the second week of July and lasts for several days. During the festival, the central square of Prilep is transformed into a bustling and lively place, with numerous beer tents, food stalls, and live music performances.

One of the main highlights of the festival is the wide variety of beer on offer. Visitors can sample some of the best local and international beers, including traditional Macedonian brews such as Skopsko and Zlaten Dab, as well as other European and international brands.