Current Updates: I’m no longer sick! School is getting very busy-I look forward to the weekends to rest even though my host mom thinks I sleep too much (not true!) I learned how to make another Macedonian dish yesterday, so life is good!
Задушница
First, let’s rewind to last weekend. Friday, February 13, was a holiday to visit loved ones who have passed away, pronounced "za-doosh-neet-za." People here celebrated this on Friday and Saturday. I was informed by Sofija, my host mom, that there are 3 of these days throughout the year. What typically happens on this day is many people visit the local cemetery-I did not go with Sofija, but she and my counterparts at school, explained this to me. Before going to the cemetery, you prepare bags of food, similar to packed lunches, to hand out to people-I asked if you hand them to random people or if there are specific people you give them too. Sofija told me you can give them to anyone at the cemetery-people who walk past you or whoever you’d like because there will be many people there. She prepared 8 bags of food that you can see here. Everything was dairy, meat, and egg free because it was Friday and many Orthodox people are “Posno” on Friday, where they don’t eat dairy, meet, or eggs. She included a banana, juice box, bread, chocolate, and a few other items.
Задушница
First, let’s rewind to last weekend. Friday, February 13, was a holiday to visit loved ones who have passed away, pronounced "za-doosh-neet-za." People here celebrated this on Friday and Saturday. I was informed by Sofija, my host mom, that there are 3 of these days throughout the year. What typically happens on this day is many people visit the local cemetery-I did not go with Sofija, but she and my counterparts at school, explained this to me. Before going to the cemetery, you prepare bags of food, similar to packed lunches, to hand out to people-I asked if you hand them to random people or if there are specific people you give them too. Sofija told me you can give them to anyone at the cemetery-people who walk past you or whoever you’d like because there will be many people there. She prepared 8 bags of food that you can see here. Everything was dairy, meat, and egg free because it was Friday and many Orthodox people are “Posno” on Friday, where they don’t eat dairy, meet, or eggs. She included a banana, juice box, bread, chocolate, and a few other items.
Sveti Trifun
Then, on Saturday, was St. Valentine’s Day in America, but here it is called Sveti Trifun, Saint Trifun, who was known as the patron of the vineyards. On this day, rather than celebrating with hearts, chocolate, and flowers like we typically do in America, people gather with their families and gather at a nearby vineyard. Luckily for us, we have 3 rows of grapes in our backyard! So, on Saturday, Sofija called me to watch the process. We were with her son and a family friend. Here's what happens:
1. They say a short prayer and make a sign of the cross.
2. Then, they cut a part of the vine (seen in the first photo)
3. They pour holy water over the cut vine (2nd & 3rd photo going across)
4. Next, they pour wine over it. (4th and 5th picture) This is to bring good luck to this year’s grape and wine season.
And that’s all! Sounds good to me! I think I prefer this version of Valentine’s Day than in America! :)
Then, on Saturday, was St. Valentine’s Day in America, but here it is called Sveti Trifun, Saint Trifun, who was known as the patron of the vineyards. On this day, rather than celebrating with hearts, chocolate, and flowers like we typically do in America, people gather with their families and gather at a nearby vineyard. Luckily for us, we have 3 rows of grapes in our backyard! So, on Saturday, Sofija called me to watch the process. We were with her son and a family friend. Here's what happens:
1. They say a short prayer and make a sign of the cross.
2. Then, they cut a part of the vine (seen in the first photo)
3. They pour holy water over the cut vine (2nd & 3rd photo going across)
4. Next, they pour wine over it. (4th and 5th picture) This is to bring good luck to this year’s grape and wine season.
And that’s all! Sounds good to me! I think I prefer this version of Valentine’s Day than in America! :)
Прочка
Sunday, Feb. 22, Macedonia celebrated Прочка, a holiday pronounced “Prochka” which means the day of forgiveness. After some confusing conversations with Sofija about what actually happens, my counterparts (who I work with at school) informed me about what happens-I understood much better since it was in English. On Prochka, those who celebrate visit the older people in their families, typically the baba and dedo (grandmother and grandfather). You bring them fruit and there is also fruit that you can eat there. Then, you are served a certain type of cake, раванија, pronounced “ra-van-ee-ya,” and it is cut in a diamond shape. Traditionally, the cake is made from eggs, wheat flour, and lots of sugar (I’m sure it has other ingredients but those are the most important-especially the sugar). Then, the younger people ask for forgiveness and they do so in a certain way-they ask it 3 times. The older family members respond by saying that the younger one’s have been forgiven by me and by God. (The asking forgiveness part isn’t a common practice anymore according to one of my counterparts.) Often people visit the cemetery, such as my host mom, who visited her husband’s grave with her son and daughter-in-law. I didn’t attend today with them because I thought it was a family event. They asked me just before they left but I decided to stay behind. Even though I didn't go, I still tried the cake they make as mentioned above:
Sunday, Feb. 22, Macedonia celebrated Прочка, a holiday pronounced “Prochka” which means the day of forgiveness. After some confusing conversations with Sofija about what actually happens, my counterparts (who I work with at school) informed me about what happens-I understood much better since it was in English. On Prochka, those who celebrate visit the older people in their families, typically the baba and dedo (grandmother and grandfather). You bring them fruit and there is also fruit that you can eat there. Then, you are served a certain type of cake, раванија, pronounced “ra-van-ee-ya,” and it is cut in a diamond shape. Traditionally, the cake is made from eggs, wheat flour, and lots of sugar (I’m sure it has other ingredients but those are the most important-especially the sugar). Then, the younger people ask for forgiveness and they do so in a certain way-they ask it 3 times. The older family members respond by saying that the younger one’s have been forgiven by me and by God. (The asking forgiveness part isn’t a common practice anymore according to one of my counterparts.) Often people visit the cemetery, such as my host mom, who visited her husband’s grave with her son and daughter-in-law. I didn’t attend today with them because I thought it was a family event. They asked me just before they left but I decided to stay behind. Even though I didn't go, I still tried the cake they make as mentioned above:
Overall, I can’t keep up with all the holidays but they definitely keep me entertained (and exhausted!) There is always something to celebrate and a reason to be with friends and family-I think this is one aspect of the Macedonian culture I will definitely bring back with me to America.
Also, here is the process of making Zelnik (pronounced zel-neek) that I made with one of my counterpart’s mother-in-law yesterday. Well, by me making I mean I sat, took notes and pictures, and ate it at the end. That was the hardest part of all! Click on each picture to read the steps!
Also, here is the process of making Zelnik (pronounced zel-neek) that I made with one of my counterpart’s mother-in-law yesterday. Well, by me making I mean I sat, took notes and pictures, and ate it at the end. That was the hardest part of all! Click on each picture to read the steps!