Vevcani Carnival begins

The traditional Vasilica Carnival, dedicated to St.Basil the Great and the banishment of evil, is held in Vevcani on Tuesday and Wednesday. The event begins with an improvised fair for alternative tourism and concerts of Vlado Janevski, Vlatko Stefanovski, bands Milko and Riblja Corba on Tuesday, whereas the traditional masked ball and related customs will be held on Wednesday.
A novelty of this year's festival edition is the New Year's bazaar for craftsmen and souvenir producers. "One should attend the carnival and feel the Vevcani spirit and humour, where no one is forgiven, be it famous or common person", said chairperson of the Vevcani Carnival Board Liljana Popovska. Vevcani mayor Pero Ilieski urged people to come to the carnival and feel the spirit of masked people, including children, "who are a guarantee that tradition will not die out".
The carnival's roots originate from paganism, whereas its long-standing tradition represents a merger between the mythic and ancient with the modern. The event has an international spirit, since a number of foreign guests also take part, coming from Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Turkey.
This year's Vevcani Carnival is organized by "Tetragon", association for alternative tourism "Balkanika" and association "Denica", along with the support from the culture and economy ministries.

NY Times picks Macedonia one of world's top travel destinations

Macedonia has been placed among the 31 world's top travel destinations, which the "New York Times" recommends for 2010.
"One of the deepest lakes on the planet, with a dazzling Unesco World Heritage site of ancient dwellings rising high above its shores, Lake Ohrid in Macedonia is a local vacation star poised for greater international acclaim. In the tiered, terra-cotta-roofed city of Ohrid, 18 miles from the Albanian border, a lakefront settlement dating back to Neolithic times, Macedonians boast that on their side of the lake is a church, monastery or mosque for every day of the year, each full of resplendent frescoes, mosaics and icons.
Notable attractions include the recently renovated church of St. Clement and St. Panteleimon at Plaosnik, an epic Byzantine masterpiece, and the 13th-century St. John of Kaneo, a limestone and brick monastery that juts out over transparent blue waters. An estimated $50 million renovation of the Ohrid Airport is planned for 2010, with more international flights expected by summer, and up to six new luxury hotels are in the works, including a $33 million property with construction scheduled to begin in March.
Tourist attractions on Ohrid’s beaches were upgraded last year with swank bars and dining spots complimented by bamboo and leather couchettes, with the hot spot Cuba Libre (www.cubalibreohrid.com) leading the way.
Meanwhile, new government-financed archaeological digs around the lake regularly unearth treasures, like the 17 fifth-century tombs discovered last July. The find follows the 2008 opening of the Museum on Water, a re-created Bronze Age village built on stilts incorporating Ohrid artifacts", reads the "New York Times" text on Macedonia.

MERRY MACEDONIAN CHRISTMAS!!!

Finally, Macedonian christmas! Macedonia Daily wishes you a happy christmas and a great time celebrating it! Christmas is widely celebrated all over Macedonia. In Skopje for example the 18th traditional Christmas Eve festivity took place outside St. Kliment Ohridski Cathedral. This event to become traditional in the Macedonian capital is becoming a reality. 
Each year, thousands of Macedonian citizens attend this celebration, the peak of which is the welcoming of the Christmas godfather with a blessing from the Macedonian church head. Like every year, free brandy, communion, and Christmas Eve oak tree branches were given away outside the cathedral, while the ceremony began with a Christmas Eve hymn and with the committee hoisting the Christmas Eve flag. MD: 

We wish you a merry christmas!! 
Hristos se rodi! Navistina se rodi!!

Macedonia's Smoking Ban Obeyed

Law on Protection from Smoking is obeyed, controls of the State Market Inspectorate show. Economy Ministry informed that inspectors carried out controls in Old Skopje Bazaar, at Skopje downtown and Makedonija street whereat no violation of law is recorded. Law on Protection from Smoking entered into force on Jan. 1, encompassing a complete ban of smoking in cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, but also in all places that serve food and beverages.
Smoking is not banned only in people's homes, at open spaces and public areas free of sporting competitions, cultural and entertainment events, gatherings and other public events.
Law violations will result in EUR 150-300 fines for smokers, firms will have to pay EUR 2,500-4,500, whereas hospitality facilities would be closed for a 30-day period.

New Year Party kicks off in Skopje on Monday

In light of the New Year's eve, musicians from Macedonia and neighbouring countries for the first time will perform at the Skopje main square for four straight days. In addition to "Leb i Sol", Vlado Janevski and Esma Redzepova, Gibonni, "Prljavo Kazalishte" from Croatia and Manjifiko from Slovenia will perform as well. The party starts on Monday. Citizens will have the chance to see "Leb i Sol", "Area", Dario, Elena Ristevska, Jovan Jovanov, Adrijan Gaxha, Vlatko Lozanovski and DNK live between 17h and 23h. Croatian singer Daniela Martinovic, "Beatles Real Tribute" from Serbia, Mitan Projet feat. Adrijana Janevska from Macedonia, "Infuse", "Shkrip Orchestra" and "Zoambo" from Slovenia will perform on Dec. 29.
Local bands, "Foltin", "Superhiks", "Bei The Fish" as well as Zvonko Bogdan from Serbia, Jordan Kostov and "Retro Cabaret" are scheduled to hold a concert on Dec. 30. On Dec. 31, children will be greeted by Santa Claus in the afternoon, while the new year 2010 will be welcomed with the performances of Esma Redzepova, Vlado Janevski, Gibonni, "Prljavo Kazalishte" and Manjifiko.
New Year's party will be also organised at Skopje Fair, where Gorillaz Sound System and Macedonian composer and DJ Kiril Dzajkovski will be the main acts. The New Year's party is organised by the City of Skopje and ONE telecommunications operator.

Santa arrives in MI 18 Helicopter

Straight from the North Pole, Santa touched down at Skopje's international airport greeted by numerous kids. Little did we know Santa travels in Russian made MI 18 helicopter. It's all about safety these days and Santa is no different.
Macedonian kids at the airport were overjoyed when they received packages full of candies, chocolates and toys. This year Santa doesn't have the time to go from house to house and preferes centralization, one location, the airport.

Macedonian kids were very modest in their wishes as usual: Three year old Skopje resident Martin wishes for a Castle with a Princess in it, while his friend Zarko requested Live Dragon that shoots Fire. Both things sound easy enough for Santa.

50 CENT CONCERT IN MACEDONIA

It depends on your musical taste if you like this or not, but it's a big fish. Macedonian Company AVALON will bring 50 cent to Skopje. He will hold a concert in the Boris Trajkovski Arena on 31st of March 2010 as part of his 'Before I Selfdestruct' world tour. More info closer to date....but you can have a look at the link below.

Tikvesh Winery hires Croatian beauty for Calendar

Sexy Croatian TV hostess Nikolina Pisek has posed naked for the annual calendar of Tikves, Macedonia's leading wine producer.
Pisek, 33, said the calendar was designed as a fairy tale that she had found very attractive. She added she had enjoyed the shooting but refused to reveal the amount of money she had received.
The Croatian media have reported she received around 50,000 Euros. It was not Pisek’s first cooperation with the well-known Macedonian wine producer. Almost six months ago, she made a TV commercial for their new wine Alexandria.

MACEDONIAN CITIZENS ON FIRST VISA-FREE TRIP

A total of 100 citizens of Macedonia will be picked at lottery Thursday evening for cost-free trip to Paris on Saturday, when EU's decision to scrap visa requirements enters into effect. Macedonian state television will broadcast the lottery.
Some 10,000 citizens with biometrical passports have applied for the trip. All the selected lucky winners will get free air tickets to Paris. The government organized the trip to mark the EU's decision to scarp visa obligations for the citizens of Macedonia. Deputy Prime Minister in charge of EU Integration Vasko Naumovski and Interior Minister Gordana Jankulovska, as well as 20 best students, will accompany the lucky winners.
The travelers will have a unique opportunity to land in a country, member of the White Schengen zone, without visa requirements. They will enjoy a sightseeing tour of French capital. The one-day travel also will include a reception at the Macedonian Embassy in Paris. The European Union lifted the visa obligations for the citizens of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro. The holders of biometric passports will be entitled to visa-free travel to 25 members of the 27-nation bloc - except for Britain and Ireland - as well as in Norway, Switzerland and Iceland Finally, the time has come, VISA free regime.
For most of the readers from Europe and USA its normal to travel where you want, when you want. But, it can do no harm to imagine how hard it was for Macedonians to be cut in their freedom like this, especially when in the past ( before the nineties) they were free to go and then suddenly they got a blockade.

USA DECORATES 31 MACEDONIAN SOLDIERS

The Unites States decorated 31 members of the Macedonian Army - ARM's special operation regiment for their participation in "Iraqi Freedom" mission on monday. Four of the members of the 11th ARM rotation in Iraqi Freedom mission received a meritorious service medals and 27 commendation medals of the US Army.
A total of 493 members of the ARM special operations regiment and joint operations command have taken part between June 2003 and December 2009 in Iraqi Freedom mission in 11 rotations. 124 have been awarded with medals and decorations.
- By participating in the Iraqi Freedom mission, the Republic of Macedonia has demonstrated that it is ready to join the coalition in the fight against today's biggest evil - global terrorism, said Minister of Defense Zoran Konjanovski in a speech delivered at the ceremony. In addition to Iraq, Macedonia takes part also in missions in Afghanistan. Lebanon, Bosnia & Herzegovina and provides logistic support to the KFOR mission in Kosovo.
Macedonia will demonstrate its commitment to Euro-Atlantic integration, he added, by sending addition troops in Afghanistan in early 2010. - With our contribution, Macedonia already functions as a NATO member. So we ask to be accordingly valued, not to be awarded, said Konjanovski. ARM Chief of Staff, Lieutenant-General Miroslav Stojanovski said in the past 18 years Macedonia had managed to establish a professional army that took part in NATO, EU, UN-led missions.
- The United States do not doubt that the Macedonian Army is strong, smart and ready for any mission. The country knows that the Republic of Macedonia is a close friend and an ally, said Thomas Navratil, US Deputy Ambassador. Presenting the medals, Admiral William Brown said foreign operations had showed to the world the capacities, preparedness and determination of Macedonia for Euro-Atlantic integration. - Macedonia is a key member in the Adriatic Group and it will play an important role in the enlargement process in the region.
Macedonia continues to be a regional leader in promoting Balkan peace and stability, said Brown, adding that Macedonia and US fostered permanent partnership.