Rebellious Village in Macedonia Stages Carnival

{{The tiny Macedonian town of Vevcani boasts its own constitution, its own currency and a passport emblazoned with a golden coat of arms.}}

They are a tongue-in-cheek expression of the village’s historical defiance of authority — and were born of a symbolic declaration of independence.

But beneath the mockery lies a real rebellious streak that has coursed through Vevcani for decades and spawned violent protests, diplomatic incidents and run-ins with the law.

That spirit of rebellion reaches a climax every year during the village’s annual carnival in January, where villagers don costumes that poke fun at the world around them.

The sharp satire leaves nothing untouched, targeting the national leadership, politics, religion and social issues. Most recently it has taken aim at Macedonia’s crisis-stricken southern neighbor, Greece.

With its colorful floats and masked revelers, the festival — said to be 14 centuries old and date from pagan times — has grown in popularity over the last decade.

It attracts thousands of visitors to St. Vasilij Day celebrations on Jan. 13, welcoming in the New Year according to the Julian calendar.

Agencies