Vevchani Carnival / Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski

VIDEO INTERVIEW | Vevcani is not Venice, but it has a gondola, Mijalkov from Monaco at carnival, Grubi plays football

"May it be for many years to come," was heard on all sides in Vevcani. Despite the bad weather conditions, the village was filled with hundreds of visitors. All came to feel the far-famed magic of the carnival, which anthropologists from around the world are delighted with, tourists are amazed, and the hosts are happy. Cheerful revelers from the youngest to the oldest, both men and women, girls and young men, through humor and satire, continue the centuries-old tradition - Vevcani Carnival.

The people of Vevcani are aware of the value and significance of the oldest carnival in Europe, which was left to them as a legacy by their ancestors. It is believed that this festival took place on this land more than 15 centuries ago. They spend months preparing the masks, taking care of them down to the smallest detail.

And if you ask the people of Vevcani if ​​they dress up every year, every one of them will answer in the affirmative that they have been participating in the carnival from a very early age.
Today, besides the standard masks that we see every year like the groom, the bride, and the foolish Augustus, politics, world events, and current events are the main inspiration for the masks of the Basiliskari to make the people laugh.

Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski

Artan Grubi, several ministers, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, were the inspiration for one of the group masks to be a football team of politicians. Sasho Mijalkov arrived not only in Monaco, but also in Vevcani in a red "Ferrari". The "Monkeys" from Vevcani were the main attraction for the audience, but several other group masks attracted attention, such as the army of dragons, monsters from the underworld, builders, devils, a betting shop, winegrowers ...

– We made this mask in a few days, but it has been smoldering in us for a long time. This is actually the everyday life of the people of Vevcani. Our grapes are from the oldest variety, the most resistant, and we will have quality and cheerful grapes this year as well – the winegrower tells "Sloboden Pechat".

Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski

The scary masks that banish evil and invite happiness and goodness dominate. But you will also encounter many funny masks, the creativity of the Basilisk performers through humor and satire on the pedestal is irreplaceable.

– We are a gondola from Vevcani, we take tourists up and down. We are not like in Venice, we will give you a ride for free if you want – says a Vasilika resident.

The grace of some of the masks is breathtaking, from afar you will notice how some of them have taken care of small details, to show perfection and authenticity to infinity through the mask. One of the most precisely crafted masks that amazes with its appearance is the mask of monsters from the underworld.

– We are monsters from the underworld and only on January 13 and 14 do we come among people. We worked on the mask for about three months. We used a lot of materials from foam, Styrofoam, but we also borrowed a lot of things from nature. We are not from here, but we love and support the Vevcani Carnival – said the Vasiličar.

Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski

We also met Pinocchio with a not very big nose, that surprised us, so we asked what it was about.

– I haven't been lying much lately because I hope for a better tomorrow, but here's the list of those who lie instead of me – he said, showing us a list of names of politicians.

The ancient way of celebrating the Old New Year and welcoming Vasilitsa will be celebrated in 2025, beautifully, in the company of cheerful Vasilitsa fans.

Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski
Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski
Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski
Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski
Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski
Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski
Photo: Free Press / Dragan Mitreski

 

Dear reader,

Our access to web content is free, because we believe in equality in information, regardless of whether someone can pay or not. Therefore, in order to continue our work, we ask for the support of our community of readers by financially supporting the Free Press. Become a member of Sloboden Pechat to help the facilities that will enable us to deliver long-term and quality information and TOGETHER let's ensure a free and independent voice that will ALWAYS BE ON THE PEOPLE'S SIDE.

SUPPORT A FREE PRESS.
WITH AN INITIAL AMOUNT OF 100 DENARS

Video of the day