SHOPSKO VILLAGE – a manifestation that unites culture and tradition in Kriva Palanka
The wealth of cultural heritage and tradition will triumph at the authentic and unique manifestation "SHOPSKO VILLAGE", which is organized on the occasion of the holiday celebrations in Kriva Palanka dedicated to the patron and protector of the city "St. Joakim Osogovski".
According to the ethnological classification, the Kriva Palanka ethnographic area is part of the Shopsko-Bregalnica ethnographic unit, which in turn is part of the large Shopsko ethnic area (SHOPLUK), extending over the territories of Serbia, Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Based on the specifics of SHOPLUK as a special ethno-geographical brand and the fact that the Kriva Palanka region is located in the heart of this ethnographic area, the Municipality of Kriva Palanka this year introduces a special multi-day festival event with a folklore, ethnological and entertaining character, presenting the spiritual and material culture of Shopluk and the neighboring border regions.
The manifestation unites the "St. Joakim Osogovski" Folklore Festival, the Food Festival and the Crafts Festival, creating an attractive cultural tourism package to attract more guests and visitors to the city.
From August 20 to 25, Kriva Palanka will be the place with a folklore spectacle of dancers from the country and abroad, a gastronomic show of local and regional specialties, and a bazaar of authentic crafts and handicrafts.
A central event of the manifestation is the International Folklore Festival "St. Joakim Osogovski", which this year is being held for the 19th time. In the three festival evenings, folklore groups from Turkey, Serbia, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia will perform, parading and having concerts at the City Square stage. Within the framework of the festival, on August 21, a seminar will be held by the ethnochoreologist Bojan Petrovski, including a screening of a film from Durachka Reka titled "Don't Knit Leso" with a presentation of clothing elements from the ethnic areas of Durachka Reka, Eastern part of Slavishte and Sredorek. On August 22, the seminar "Traditional Culture in Kriva Palanka" will follow with the lecturers: Prof. Dr. Zoranco Malinov, Prof. Dr. Rodna Velickovska and Prof. Dr. Stojance Kostov.
At the same time, the Food Festival and the Crafts Festival will be held at the Kriva Reka Riverbank, starting at 18:00. These festival attractions will feature local and regional caterers, artisans and crafts individuals who will present the authentic food and crafts characteristic of their regions. Special guests will be caterers with a license of the famous "Leskovac grill" brand from Leskovac, Serbia and artisans from Kyustendil, Bulgaria.
The manifestation "SHOPSKO Village" will be enriched with performances by the famous musicians Igor Dimovski and Rakija Pause on August 20 and 21, and by the famous singer of traditional songs Elena Andonovska on August 23.
The municipality expects a large number of visitors during these holiday and festival days, which are part of the Kriva Palanka Cultural Summer and the manifestation Kriva Palanka - City of Culture 2024.