The document describes traditional wedding celebrations that take place annually in the village of Galicnik, Macedonia on St. Peter's Day in July. For three days, locals and tourists participate in rituals, customs, dances, songs, eating, and drinking that have been passed down over centuries. Key events include decorating the wedding flag and rifle, welcoming musicians, and a traditional dance performed by the bridegroom's mother. The Galicnik Wedding offers visitors a glimpse into the rich cultural traditions and atmosphere of weddings in the past.

1. Mouse over to Stop
Each year the village of Galicnik hosts a traditional Macedonian wedding in the
beginning of July which will hold only on St. Peter's Day. This traditional wedding is a
remainder of the past. When Galicnik had 1600 people living in 800 houses. The village
of Galicnik which extends on the falls of Mount Bistra is found 110 km away from the
capital city of Macedonia. The sound of drums and trumpets echoes through Mount
Bistra and the valley of the river Radika. The people from Galicnik and some 7.000
quests from the Republic of Macedonia and from U.S.A, Germany, Austria, Italy and
some other countries. Each tradition and ritual was followed with great interest and
attention. All of this was captured on photo and film cameras. With the arrival of the
drums, the mother in-low dances the “Svekrvino oro" the Traditional Mother in-low
dance. In the front yard of the grooms house, girls and boys dressed in Traditional clothes
which originate from Galicnik with flowers they decorated the "Barjak" which was then
put on the house. The older people from Galicnik danced the "Hard Dance" (Teskoto) ,
the symbol of the people in this region. While dancing, they were reminded of the hard
past, at the fortune seeking, at the weddings and the happiness. A few tears rolled down
their wrinkled cheeks in grief for the past and happiness that Galicnik still lives. On the
second day at the wedding the rituals continued. On this day the groom together with his
closest relatives invite the Godfather to attend the wedding. Before the wedding column
was formed, the groom was shaved and few traditional songs were sung: " Nejke zetot
berber da go brici, tuk mi saka mlad pobratim...". In the moment when the the in-lows
were on their way to the bride they carried out the custom "Bodinjanje" where they race
who will be first to get to the brides house. Many customs were carried out there too:
looking through the ring, giving presents, carrying the dowry and taking the bride. During
the two days, a number of customs and rituals could be seen on the Galicnik wedding.
This gave outside a glimpse of the richness and atmosphere of wedding in the past. The
marriage ceremony attracted the most guests. This takes place in the church temple "St.
Petar and St. Pavle" in Galicnik. Each year the temple in filled with people.

2. Galicnik Wedding
On one day every July, St. Peter’s Day, locals and tourists
alike are invited to attend the traditional Macedonian wedding
celebrations at Galicnik, a legendary old village in the western
mountains near Mavrovo.
The three-day feast, which includes much song, dance, eating
and drinking, uses traditional customs, costumes, and rituals
and dances that have been passed down over the centuries.
The Galicnik Wedding is an incomparable event that every
visitor to Macedonia must experience at least once.
SATURDAY
19.30 DECORATING THE FLAG The top of the flag is decorated with flowers.
AND THE RIFLE Then the bridegroom hangs it on the right side
of his house and a riffle is fired.
19.45 WELCOMING THE The musicians start performing from the hotel
MUSICIANS “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 bride.
20.00 BRIDEGROOM’ S MOTHER The dance is performed at the “Upija” and
DANCE it’s led by the bridegroom’s mother. She
carries a sieve on her head and a goblet in her
hand.

3. Search Site
CURRENT EVENTS