Location: Galicnik, Mavrovo, monastery St.Jovan Bigorski                                  Duration: 14 hours                                                                                                       Group Size: Tours: 15th of July 2007                                                                           Tour technical difficulty: easy walks only

Dear friends I’m informing you about this year’s date of traditional Galichka wedding. It will be held on 14th and 15th of July 2007.Our arrangement will be one day (the 15th off July), when the actual main ceremonies are taking place.

Time of departure will be at 6:00h on 15th of July in front of our agency. It is necessary to start the trip so early because of the crowd of people that gathers each year on this day in Galicnik on Galicka wedding. Returning back to Skopje will be in the afternoon hours after visiting the monastery St.Jovan Bigorski. Short time schedule:

08:00 h Inviting the dead relatives   
A group of the closest relatives and the bridegroom visit the graves of dead family members. The bridegroom invites them to his wedding.

09:15h   Inviting the kum (literally: "godfather", though the closest equivalent in English is the "best man")
After returning from the cemetery, the bridegroom, his friends and his closest relatives invite the best man to the wedding.

09:30h    Shaving the bridegroom
In front of the "Upija" fountain, one of the friends shaves the bridegroom, during which the closest relatives are rueful because the shaving is a symbol of the separation of the boy from his mother and father.

10:00h   Going for the bride
From the bridegroom's house an entourage of over 50 in-laws goes for the bride. The entourage is led by the bajraktar (flag bearer) and his friends on horses. The horses walk slowly in front of the entourage. Before that one of the friends goes to the bride's house to ask for permission for the arrival of the in-laws. On the way back he joins the procession.

10:30h  Arrival of the marriage brokers
After the arrival of the in-laws, the flag bearer hands over the flag which is hung by the window. Then one of the bridegroom's friends leads his horse in front of the bride's house where the bride looks at the bridegroom through her ring. The bridegroom kisses the hands of the bride's parents and then they put a towel over his shoulder.

10:45h  The bride welcoming the marriage brokers
In front of the house the bridegroom's closest relatives sit at a table. The bridegroom's mother gives presents to the bride and then the bride kisses her hand. After that she is dressed up and ready to go.

11:00h  Sending the bride with the in-laws
The bridegroom's friend informs the in-laws that the bride is ready and they all prepare to go. The bride mounts a horse. The procession is led by the flag bearer.

11:20h  Welcoming the bride
The bridegroom's mother welcomes the bride with a sieve, a cake and a goblet with wine. She turns around the bride three times tapping her on the head with the cake. Then they put a bridle on her and the bridegroom's cap. The bridegroom helps the bride to dismount the horse. Then she walks into the house.

11:30h   Marriage ceremony
The bride, the bridegroom's mother and father, the flag-bearer and the other relatives walk to the church. The bridegroom's mother carries a kettle and a basil bouquet. She spatters the young couple and the other guests on the way from the house to the church. A carpet is laid in front of the church and a flag is hung to the right of the entrance.

12:00h  Marriage banquet
After the wedding ceremony at the "Upija" there is a wedding banquet. The best man resides at the head of the table and the bridegroom calls for a toast.

12:30h  Taking the bride to "Upija" and then she leads the brides dance
The bridegroom's father and the best man lead the entourage. The bride is taken to the fountain to fill the water jugs. After that the bride leads the bride's dance.

12:45h   Farewell to the musicians
After finishing the wedding customs, the closest relatives say goodbye to the musicians.

13:00h  The end of ceremonies

13:30h  Returning back to Mavrovo. Lunch in some of the restaurants near the cable car on the shore line of Mavrovo Lake.

16:00h Departure and transfer to monastery St Jovan Bigorski.

17:00h Arriving at the monastery. Side seeing of it and the unique iconostas

18:30h Departure for Skopje
20:30h Arriving at Skopje