Skopje, 9 January 2024 (MIA) - The Vevchani Carnival will take place on January 12-14. According to the program, DJ Ampov, Younge Daddy, Best of Igor Dzhambazov, Gugu Hare band and Nokaut will perform on Friday, while Akustik band live, Naum Petreski, Vevchani zurna and drums orchestra, Pero Beli and Koki Bioritam will take the stage of on Saturday. The carnival will end with Sunday's traditional burning of the masks.

Culture Minister Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska told a press conference on Tuesday that Mden 1.8 million (EUR 30,000) will be allocated for this year's festival.

"The Vevchani Carnival is an intangible cultural heritage of North Macedonia and we must keep it as such. I am glad that the Culture Ministry is this year's worthy sponsor. Vevchani Mayor Spase Kochovski and I signed an agreement to finance the Vevchani Carnival with Mden 1.8 million (EUR 30,000), and 70 percent have already been transferred to the municipality before the start of the carnival," said Kostadinovska-Stojchevska.

She added that the Government recognizes the authenticity of the festival and its goal is to preserve Macedonian traditions, culture and history, together with Vevchani municipality.

"This is the only way to show that we care about the cultural heritage, and continue to nurture the customs represented by the Carnival, because by supporting the Vevchani Carnival, which represents a cultural tourist attraction in this region, we can support Vevchani's innovative spirit. I have to say that I am looking forward to the start of the carnival and the new collections of masks like the son-in-law and bride, musicians, the devil, stupid August, as well as the new satirical comments that are a healthy corrective of society," Kostanovska-Stojchevska noted.

Festival promoter Igor Dzhambazov pointed out that the Vevchani Carnival is attended by the most creative people in the country who know how to joke and laugh at everything.

"Wikipedia says that the carnival is 15 centuries old, 1460 years, while artifacts found in Gorna Belica village assess that the carnival might have existed for more than 2000 years. The first Vevchani Carnival was held 900 years before Columbus discovered America," Dzhambazov stressed.

He added that they are expecting a lot of guests, like a Norwegian television broadcast that will be filming a travel documentary about Heraclea Lyncestis, Ohrid and Vevchani Carnival, including Putriota, one of the most famous bloggers in the region.

Vevchani Mayor Spase Kochovski stressed that the Vevchani Carnival is a name and a brand, and it should be a source of pride for every government and minister.

"We have guests from all over Europe, and journalists as well. There is evidence that the carnival is as old as Vevchani itself. Carnivals are a response to the natural disasters people encountered, such as drought, famine, disease. Over time, the administration was created, then the state and now Vevchani is a place where all politicians who have done negative things throughout the year can come and see themselves represented at the carnival, without taking offense. The Vevchani Carnival offers humor and satire," said Kochovski. ssh/ik/

Photo: MIA