Galičnik (Macedonian: Галичник) is a mountain village in North Macedonia and along with Lazaropole is one of the two biggest and oldest Mijak villages in the region. Galičnik has well-preserved traditional architecture, including an amphitheater in the village square, and is famous for its surrounding countryside and nature reserve.

Galičnik
Галичник
Village
Galičnik is located in North Macedonia
Galičnik
Galičnik
Location within North Macedonia
Coordinates: 41°35′39″N 20°39′11″E / 41.86317°N 20.65306°E / 41.86317; 20.65306
Country North Macedonia
Region Polog
Municipality Mavrovo and Rostuša
Highest elevation
1,500 m (4,900 ft)
Population
 (2021)
 • Total
48
Time zoneUTC 1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC 2 (CEST)
Car platesGV

History

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The village is located in the ethnographic region of "Mijačija", named after the Mijaks (Мијаци/Mijaci), the tribe historically inhabiting this mountainous region. This region has plentiful rich pastures for livestock grazing and this feature attracted Vlachs, shepherds, who established settlements based on cattle-breeding and shepherding.[1]

Events

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The most important event in the village is the Galička Svadba, a traditional wedding custom held annually in summer (in July), on the day of the village feast of the Patron SaintPetrovden (St. Peter's day). 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.[2]

Culture

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The regional art, dress and music are rich in detail and original in character. While sharing characteristics of regional culture dating back centuries.

The traditional dress and costume adorned during ceremonial events is highly detailed and unique. Examples can be seen at museums.[3]

The village is built based on traditional housing standards used for centuries in the region. Stone wall construction, supported by wooden beams, compact earth insulation and using stone slate roofing.[4]

Historic houses

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There are many houses owned by prominent families in Galičnik that are protected by the Macedonian Cultural Heritage Protection Office.[5] A selected few are as follows:

 

Notable people from Galičnik

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References

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  1. ^ Linda Welters (1 November 1999). Folk Dress in Europe and Anatolia: Beliefs about Protection and Fertility. Bloomsbury Academic. pp. 100–. ISBN 978-1-85973-287-8.
  2. ^ "Teskoto". www.soros.org.mk. Archived from the original on 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-10-19.
  3. ^ "Galičnik Items". British Museum.
  4. ^ Slavko Brezoski (1993). Rekanska Kuќa, Arhitektonsko Nasledstvo vo Makedonija. University of Skopje, Architecture: Bigoss.
  5. ^ Bužaroski, Risto (2004). "Naša Kniga". Галичка повест [Galičnik History] (in Macedonian). Skopje: NIK. p. 176.
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