|
Home » Cultural Heritage Tourism » Galichnik Wedding
Galicnhik Wedding - The Tradition Continues
Day first, Saturday 12 July 2008
08:00, Departure from Skopje
09:40 AM, Traditional Mavrovo breakfast
Homemade "pita", Mavrovo sheep cheese, ("kachamak")
11:30, 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.
14:00 Accommodation in a 3* Hotel in Mavrovo, followed by lunch
Time to prepare for the beginning of the wedding.
16:30 Arrival at Galichnik
At 1450m altitude Galicnik is a small but beautiful vivid village in the center of the
Mijak region. Region that has given so much to the history and culture of our country,
a place of tradition and legends. If you interested in the traditional crafts and trades
of the region, in everyday life of people in the past, then Galichnik is the place for you.
Visit to the sheepfold where the famous Galichnik cheese - "kashkaval" is prepared.
- Visit to the Museum of Galichnik “Vila Dosta”
Visiting the village museum is a walk in the past of people whose life story is that
of creation, spiritualism and art. 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.
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.
19:30 Welcoming the musicians
The musicians begin playing: they start from outside hotel "Neda" and walk slowly
to the bridegroom's house. The bridegroom, his brother and his friends go to welcome
the musicians. The welcoming is at the bridge.
20:00 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.
20:15 The Teshkoto dance
The dance is symbol of the nation's pride and constant struggle for freedom.
20:30 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.
21:00 Dinner and Continuing with the celebration at Hotel Neda
The dance is symbol of the nation's pride and constant struggle for freedom.
22:30 Departure for Mavrovo
Day second, 13 July 2008
07:30 Breakfast and departure from the hotel
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.
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.
10:45 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.
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.
END OF THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM OF THE GALICHNIK WEDDING
14:00 Lunch at Hotel Neda
16:00 Departure for Skopje
Small modifications of the timetable may appear due to changes of the Official
program of the Galichnik wedding Ceremony
Price of the tour: 119 ˆ per person
Discount till 01.07.2007: 109 ˆ per person
Single room supplement: 13 ˆ per person
The price includes:
- Transport with an air-conditioned mini-bus;
- 3* Hotel accommodation in Mavrovo in double rooms;
- All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and 1 drink per meal;
- Full escort by a professional guide;
- Tour of Galichnik, Galichnik Wedding Ceremony
- All sightseeing’s and entrance fees;
- Refreshment during the travel (in the bus)
The price does not include:
- Mini-bar and phone-calls in the hotels;
- Extra drinks during the meals.
If you want to register, please click here!
| 
email this site
print this page
)
