Aegean Women Dance "Žensko Beranče"

Ethnic Macedonian women from Kostur (Kosturcanki), Aegean Macedonia performing the ethnic Macedonian folk dance 'Žensko Beranče' - filmed by Radio Television Skopje.


The dance was brought from ethnic Macedonian refugees from the Greek civil war (1946-49) from the villages near Kastoria (Macedonian: Kostur), today Northern Greece.

Macedonia drawed against Iran in Teheran

Teheran, Iran - Macedonia drawed against Iran on Azadi Stadium in today's friendly.

Iran - Macedonia 1-1 (1-0)
Friendly Match, Teheran

Goals: 1-0 Teymourian (36' / Assist by Meydavoudi)
1-1 Pandev (49')

Today's friendly soccer match was a chance to check the capacity of both squads. On such a rainy day, both teams had one half to show their skills.


Iranian coach Afshin Ghotbi played with the following team: Rahmati - Kaebi, Aghili, Nosrati, Beikzadeh - Teymourian, Nekounam (46' Mobali) - Kazemian (46' Khalatbari), Shojaei (76' Ansarifard), Madanchi (57' Heydari) - Meydavoudi (67' Borhani).

Macedonian squad led by Mirsad Jonuz selected the following players:

Goalkeepers: Tome Pachovski - Germinal Beerschot, Belgium; Kristijan Naumovski - Rabotnicki, Macedonia;


Defenders: Goce Sedloski - SV Mattersburg, Austria; Vlade Lazarevski - FK Karpaty Lviv, Ukraine; Goran Popov - SC Heerenveen, Netherlands; Nikolce Noveski - FSV Mainz 05, Germany; Daniel Mojsov - FK Makedonija Gjorce Petrov , Macedonia; Robert Popov - Auxerre, France;

Midfielders: Veliche Shumulikoski - Preston North End, England; Filip Despotovski - FK Vorskla Poltava, Ukraine; Armend Alimi - NK Istra, Croatia; Slavco Georgievski - Ulsan Hyundai, South Korea; Gligor Gligorov - Sileks, Macedonia;

Strikers: Goran Pandev - SS Lazio, Italy; Aco Stojkov - FC Aarau, Switzerland; Filip Ivanovski - Polonia Warszawa, Poland; Besart Ibraimi - FK Renova, Macedonia; Dusan Savić - Rabotnicki, Macedonia.


The few spectators saw an even first half under pouring rain, in which the Macedonians had the better chances, but faild to convert, while Iranians mainly relied on shots from far out, which mostly were all but dangerous.

One such effort led to the homeside's lead in minute 36. Meydavoudi smacked a freekick on goal and Pachovski could not hold on to the wet ball, so Teymourian tapped in the rebound from close range.

Macedonia responded just four minutes into second half, when a cross from the right side found superstar Pandev on the far post, who perfectly headed the ball past the chanceless Mehdi Rahmati.

Iran now created more chances than in first half, but Iman Mobali (51' / shot), Mohammad Nosrati (52' / header), Teymourian (55' / shot) and Masoud Shojaei (64' / volley) faild to bring Iran back in front.

On the other side Macedonia remained dangerous through counter attacks, but Pandev (49') and Ibraimi (65') were denied by Rahmati.

Iran looked more eager to win than the guests during the final minutes, but saw a Hadi Aghili header saved by the goalkeeper, seven minutes from time.

Croatia beats Macedonia in FINA's World League match in Skopje

Skopje, Macedonia - FINA's World League debut match for Macedonia. Swimming poll "Mladost", attendance 600. The result 7-9 (1-1; 3-3; 1-3; 2-2) for Croatia.


Macedonian national water polo team had a great debut, even though Croatia won the match at the end.

Croatian team led by water polo legend Ratko Rudic came to Skopje with with a few newcomers. Macedonian coach Nonkovic put an a good strategy, pressuring the Croats all over the field.

The first two periods were tied. A few seconds before half time Macedonian led by 4-3, but Croats scored and went on break with draw.

The game was finally decided in the third quater. Croats played more agresively, and scored 3 goals more, recieved only one. At one point in the fourth quater, Croats led by 4 goals (9-5).

Macedonia scored twice before tha match was over, and showed that they are a team to be respected and feared in this group.


Macedonia will take on Greece in the next match, in Athens.

Macedonia trashes Canada in soccer friendly in Strumica

Macedonian national soccer team demolished the Canadians in the friendly match in Strumica, in the south-east part of Macedonia.

In front of 4500 spectators, Macedonian national team led by italian SS Lazio star, Goran Pandev started slowly. In the first 45 minutes, even though the Macedonian players controled the ball, and created chances it was draw, with no scoring.

The second half was opened after only 3 minutes, when the ex-captain of the national team, Goce Seldoski scored with a header.

1-0 Macedonia leads.

In the 56 minute, Ibraimi play with the hand in the 16, referee Genhcev gives penaly for Canada. Hume misses the goal.

Just 5 minutes later, duel between Dusan Savic and Paul Stalteri in the Canadian penalty area. Genchev puts the ball on 11 meters, Pandev scores.

2-0 for Macedonia.

One more penalty for Canada in the 69 minute. Mojsov fouls Rob Friend, Tome Pachovski once again undefeated. Jackson shot was saved by the macedonian goalkeeper.

In the extra time, on more penalty. Kevin McKenna stops the macedonian midfielder Despotovski, Goran Pandev scores once again with a exhibition shot.

3-0 Macedonia.

This match was the 98'th cap for the ex-captain Goce Sedloski, the 39'th and fairwell match fot the ex-national team player Goran Stavrevski, and a national team debut for the U-23 goalkeeper Kristijan Naumovski.

Galichnik

Galičnik (Macedonian: Галичник) is a mountain village in the Republic of Macedonia and along with Lazaropole is one of the two biggest Miyak villages in the region, in the municipality of Mavrovo - Rostusha. 

Galičnik has well preserved traditional architecture, including an amphitheater in the village square and is famous by its countryside and nature reserve.



The village of Galicnik which extends on the falls of Mount Bistra is found 110 km away from the capital city of Macedonia. The road to Galicnik runs through Lake Mavrovo dam, 14km uphill Mt. Bistra, at 1,450m above sea level. It passes by Tonivoda, the Macedonian steppe, where you will encounter wild horses freely grazing here. 

This is yet another village that many villagers have left to work abroad. It has large, robust houses and is virtually deserted. Yet, it gets crowded during the summer and then again desolate after September.


On Petrovden (St. Peter's Day), 12 July, Galicnik and its inhabitants are hosts to the only festival of this type, the traditional Galicnik Wedding, echoing the sounds of drums, zurlas, and pipes and displaying the most beautiful and ornate folk costumes of Macedonia. 

During the wedding, local men will dance the "Teškoto" (the "hard" or "heavy") - a dance that is meant to symbolize the overcoming of difficulties in life.



In this region you can taste first-class yellow cheese - kashkaval as well as the local salt brine white cheese "belo sirenje", yoghurt, lamb, and trout from Lake Mavrovo.


Notable people from Galičnik

* Aleksandar Sarievski (1922 - 2002)
* Georgija Pulevski (1838 - 1895)
* Partenije Zografski (1818 - 1876)
* Velimir Ginovski (born 1915)
* Vladimir Ginovski (born 1927)
* Vasil Grivchev (1922-1996)

Treskavec Monastery

About ten kilometers from Prilep, in the arms of the massive rocks of  Zlatovrv, there is the church Mother of God's Ascending, which with the dormitory shelters and the dining room of the Treskavec Monastery, provide God's energy and spiritual tranquility to this wonderful picturesque area.


The highland offers a clear view of all Pelagonija Plane, the mountains Pelister, Babuna and Kajmakcalan. The evening street lights in all parts of Prilep witness different events of the inhabitants of Prilep, Bitola and Krusevo.


Treskavec Monastery is believed to have been built in the 13th Century, during the rule of the Byzantine emperors Andronic II and Mihailo III who, according to the writings on the frescoes at the entrance gate, were the first donors to this monastery.

Its complex and diversified architecture points to the fact that the monastery was subjected to tearing down. Most probably, the monastery was renovated in the 14th Century, during the time of the Serb king Milutin.


The frescoes in the Church of St.Mary Mother of God (Македонски: Света Богородица), date from different periods. The oldest ones are on the walls of the two towers from the 15th Century. They illustrate themes of the calendar and of saints presented in full size. 

The portraits of the monastery founders, placed on the east wall of the south porch, were painted in the second half of the 14th Century. The picture of the Mother of God is painted in the nisa of the south door of the naos. According to the painting technique, this fresco belongs to the period of the 15th Century.


The naos is enriched with frescoes that were made towards the end of the 15th Century. The frescoes in the first zone are particularly interesting. The depict figures of standing saints in full natural size. They are dressed in noblemen's' clothes and wear richly decorated hats on their heads.


The frescoes were made by the hands of the Krusevo painting group from the 19th century are most remarkable.

Treskavec Monastery has other valuable artifacts. Most remarkable among them are the ones made in shallow wood carving: the two wing doors and the Emperor's Gate from the 16th Century, then the Kosmitos Cross from the 17th Century. It is worth mentioning the choir seats, the numerous holiday icons and the icons of the Apostles from the 17th and 18th Century.


People have been telling the legend of how Treskavec monastery came to life. It has a great religious and cultural significance. It says that on the day in honour of St. Mary Mother of God, the people from Prilep and Varosh, were all gathered in the little Church called Prichesta to celebrate the holy day. While the service was still going on a laud crash was heard hitting the monastery. 

The next mourning, the most courageous men of the village armed well and went to see what had happened. When they entered the monastery, they saw a murdered beast over the bones of the monks. After that event, the people reconstructed the monastery and continued to serve their religion like before. From that time on, the monastery was called Treskavec (crash place), because of the loud crash that was heard in it a long time ago.

Source: culture.org.mk