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Traditional Galichnik wedding in Macedonia

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Detailed Trip Description

Location: Galicnik, Mavrovo, Monastery St.Jovan Bigorski Duration:14hours Amazing experience of seeing traditional Macedonian wedding and enjoying Macedonia's lovely nature in their national park Galichica!

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Macedonia

 
You will visit Macedonian lovely village Galichnik and enjoy the Macedonian National park - Mavrovo.
Eco-Tourism

Visit of the monastery of St. John Bigorski. The wonderful surrounding nature and the unique iconostasis, make it one of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia. The church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. According to the monastery's 1833 chronicle, it was built in 1020 by Archbishop John. However, the information is believed to be a legendary one. In the XVI century, the Ottomans destroyed the monastery, only an old church survived. The iconostasis of St. John Bigorski is one of the most beautiful. The authors of the iconostasis were esteemed craftsmen.
14:00Accommodation in Hotel Srna in Mavrovo followed by lunch. Time to prepare for the beginning of the wedding.
16:30 Arrival in Galichnik. This small but beautiful and proud village is the center of the Mijak region. Region that has given so much to the history and culture of our country. Visit to the Museum of Galichnik “Vila Dosta” – The (house of the bride). Learn all about the history and tradition of the region and everyday life in Galichnik in the 19 and 20 century. Visit to the memorial house of Georgija Pulevski. Get familiar with the work of the first Macedonian linguist and historian.
Dinner. Start of the official program of the Galicnik wedding ceremony.
19:00 Decorating the flag and firing the rifle. The top of the flag is decorated with flowers. Then the bridegroom hangs it on the right-hand side of his house and a riffle is fired.

Macedonia Eco-Tourism picture
Performing Arts

20:00h Bridegroom's mother dance. The dance is performed at the "Upija" and it's led by the bridegroom's mother. She carries a sieve on her head and a goblet in her hand.
20:15h The Teshkoto dance. The dance is symbol of the nation's pride and constant struggle for freedom.
20:30h Taking the bride to the three fountains. An entourage of svatovi (in-laws) with torches goes from the bridegroom's house to the house of the bride. Then, together with the bride they go to the three fountains.
21:00h The end of program from the first day. Continuing with the celebration at Hotel Neda
22:30h Departure for Mavrovo

Macedonia Performing Arts picture

Day 2 - Macedonia

 
Here the ceremony will take place. Be prepared for exciting traditional wedding!
Performing Arts

Breakfast and departure from the hotel. The second part of the wedding starts very early and in order to find a place where you can observe the whole event you will have to leave the hotel at 07.10.
08:00 Inviting the dead relatives. A group of the closest relatives and the bridegroom visit the graves of dead family members. The bridegroom invites them to his wedding.
09:15 Inviting the kum (literally: "godfather", though the closest equivalent in English is the "best man"). After returning from the cemetery, the bridegroom, his friends and his closest relatives invite the best man to the wedding.

Macedonia Performing Arts picture
Performing Arts

09:30 Shaving the bridegroom. In front of the "Upija" fountain, one of the friends shaves the bridegroom, during which the closest relatives are rueful because the shaving is a symbol of the separation of the boy from his mother and father.

10:00 Going for the bride. From the bridegroom's house an entourage of over 50 in-laws goes for the bride. The entourage is led by the bajraktar (flag bearer) and his friends on horses.

The horses walk slowly in front of the entourage. Before that one of the friends goes to the bride's house to ask for permission for the arrival of the in-laws. On the way back he joins the procession.

10:30 Arrival of the marriage brokers. After the arrival of the in-laws, the flag bearer hands over the flag which is hung by the window. Then one of the bridegroom's friends leads his horse in front of the bride's house where the bride looks at the bridegroom through her ring. The bridegroom kisses the hands of the bride's parents and then they put a towel over his shoulder.

Macedonia Performing Arts picture
Performing Arts

The bride welcoming the marriage brokers. In front of the house the bridegroom's closest relatives sit at a table. The bridegroom's mother gives presents to the bride and then the bride kisses her hand. After that she is dressed up and ready to go.
11:00 Sending the bride with the in-laws. The bridegroom's friend informs the in-laws that the bride is ready and they all prepare to go. The bride mounts a horse. The procession is led by the flag bearer.
11:20 Welcoming the bride. The bridegroom's mother welcomes the bride with a sieve, a cake and a goblet with wine. She turns around the bride three times tapping her on the head with the cake. Then they put a bridle on her and the bridegroom's cap. The bridegroom helps the bride to dismount the horse. Then she walks into the house.

Macedonia Performing Arts picture
Performing Arts

11:30 Marriage ceremony. The bride, the bridegroom's mother and father, the flag-bearer and the other relatives walk to the church. The bridegroom's mother carries a kettle and a basil bouquet. She spatters the young couple and the other guests on the way from the house to the church. A carpet is laid in front of the church and a flag is hung to the right of the entrance.
12:00 Marriage banquet. After the wedding ceremony at the "Upija" there is a wedding banquet. The best man resides at the head of the table and the bridegroom calls for a toast.
12:30 Taking the bride to "Upija" and then she leads the brides dance. The bridegroom's father and the best man lead the entourage. The bride is taken to the fountain to fill the water jugs. After that the bride leads the bride's dance.
12:45 Farewell to the musicians. After finishing the wedding customs, the closest relatives say goodbye to the musicians.

Macedonia Performing Arts picture
Adventure

13.00 End of the Official program of the Galichnik Wedding.
14:30 Lunch at Hotel Neda. Experience the process of preparation of the famous Galichnik cheese -“kashkaval”
17:00 Departure for Skopje
19:00 Arrival at Skopje. Small modifications of the timetable may appear due to changes of the Official program of the Galichnik wedding Ceremony.

Macedonia Adventure picture

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Traditional Galichnik wedding in Macedonia
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