Skopje, 15 December 2025 (MIA) - The citizens' association organizing the traditional Christmas Eve (Badnik) celebrations in Skopje promoted Monday the godfather and the toast-giver for the event set to take place at the "St.Clement of Ohrid" cathedral church on January 6.

"Energo System" co-owner Zoran Kondratenko is this year's Badnik godfather, while musician Jakov Drenkovski is the toast-giver.

"I have been given the opportunity to salute the citizens and hope to deliver on what is expected from me," said Drenkovski.

"It is a big honor to be the Badnik godfather and I hope that all expectations will be met," said Kodratenko.

The Badnik celebrations will take place under the auspices of Centar municipality, with Mayor Goran Gerasimovski saying he was pleased to see more and more young people joining the tradition each year.

This weekend, the godfather and the toast-giver will cut the Badnik branches at Vodno hill in the vicinity of Skopje, usually from an oak tree that is burned on Christmas Eve, accompanied by prayers that the coming year brings food, happiness, love, luck, and riches. The branches are given to worshipers during the Badnik event.

Photo: MIA