Wedding in Galicnik in Macedonia

"Galicka svadba" (Wedding in Galicnik) annual action which is traditionally held in Macedonia. This unique event, rooted in the distant past, every year attracts thousands of tourists in a small provincial town Galicnik.






Girls in traditional costumes for western Macedonia gathered at the festival "Wedding in Galicnik", which usually lasts for two days and takes place every year on the eve of St. Peter. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



July 11, 2010 annual ceremony was held in the provincial town of Macedonian Galicnik, which is located in the western part of the country about 150 km from the city of Skopje. Boys and girls are on the streets of the city with torches on the night before the wedding. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



This festival is held to pay tribute to the Macedonian cultural heritage, and not to forget the popular wedding traditions. Photo: Macedonian girl in old traditional dresses. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



"Wedding in Galicnik" - a colorful action, is the attraction of this small country. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



Wedding in Galicnik each year attracts many tourists who want to get acquainted with the original, unique and inimitable folk traditions and rituals. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



Begins on the day of the feast of St. Peter. On this day, the town is a colorful ceremony with the groom headed. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



The festival starts with a floral decoration symbolic banner, then grooms welcome musicians procession and go to the houses of brides to "redeem" them. Bride at this time do not lose time in vain. Then the guests begin wedding fun. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



Bride Lupke Sotarovska dressed in national costume, riding on a white horse to meet her groom. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



On the first day you can watch the local customs and rituals, enjoy folk music and folk dances to learn. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



All the participants welcome the bride. By the way, UNESCO declared the wedding in Galicnik unique pearl of Macedonia, and captured this event on video. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



After the bride met her groom, the wedding ceremony itself will take place and then the wedding banquet at which the bride will dance for all the participants. (AFP PHOTO / ROBERT ATANASOVSKI)



So they met. The groom and the bride Philip Sotarovski Lupke Sotarovska pass on the street during the wedding ceremony. (REUTERS / Ognen Teofilovski)



The next day, "Wedding in Galicnik" continues. On this day people visit the graves of relatives. (REUTERS / Ognen Teofilovski)



Also during the festival is a series of other amazing rituals, without which an honest girl will not marry. (REUTERS / Ognen Teofilovski)



Macedonians themselves say: "I have not seen one of Macedonia, who was not at the wedding in Galicnik." (AP Photo / Boris Grdanoski)