Vevcani Carnival – customs under the masks that are performed on Vasilica (January 14, January). With those masking is the old one and welcomes the new (Orthodox) year. The goal is to ensure happiness and fruit in the coming year. The celebrations last two days (January 13 and 14) and are committed to St. Basil the Great. Participants in the custom are disguised with traditional or current masks. For traditional, the groom and the bride, stupid August, the devils, prius and musicians are considered. With current masks, certain modern conditions are ridiculed. Until the launch of the celebration, the masks are kept secret, and the characters under the masks until the end of the carnival. It is traditionally masked vasilicians from the Vevcani carnival only male people. On January 13, masked in groups come to the middle, where the ceremony is held. Vasilicians are organized in two groups, from Upper and Lower Maala. After the collection of the groups, the groups go on homes where they sing and play on people named Vasil and thus congratulate the IMENDEN, for which they receive gifts. The night after midnight goes to the springs. After the prayer of the priest, women fill water from the sources and with it spreads the rooms in the home and the Messi Kashaler (Tours-Beats) in which it is placed. In eating, the one who finds the parent, is considered to be happy in the next year. In 1993 This carnival became a member of the Association of European Carnival Cities. By 1996 Vevcani was the seat of this association. Vevcani Vasilicians with their masks and program participate in other carnivals in the world. Lit.: Ilija Kalanovski, Vevcani Carnival, Vevcani, 2001; Anastas Kjaskovski, the sanctuaries in Vevcani, Struga, 2002. M. Keith.
Original article in Macedonian language Cyrillic alphabet
Кириличен напис ВЕВЧАНСКИ КАРНЕВАЛ