The celebration of the Nativity of Christ is a festival whose jubilation begins on the eve of Christmas Eve and continues until its conclusion. This festival is inseparably connected with our people, our culture, and is deeply present in our way of life, engraved in the hearts and souls of those who glorify God. We witnessed how, during the recent festive days, the Christmas carols joyously resounded through the streets of our cities and villages. The melodious singing of everyone, both children and adults, invited us to delve deeper into the mystery of Christ’s Nativity, thereby creating a festive atmosphere everywhere their beautiful voices and instruments reached.
Last night, in the bright and joyful night, numerous lovers of cultural and spiritual tradition gathered on the stage at the Kichevo Cultural Center “Kocho Racin”, where, for the second year in a row, organized by the choir “Metropolitan Kozma of Preshchitsa”, the Christmas and New Year’s concert was held. Members of the distinguished Kichevo choir and musicians from “Merak Chalgii”, along with many young musicians from the direction of traditional music and dance at DMBUC “Ilija Nikolovski – Luj”, once again succeeded in conveying the profound festive meaning emanating from the Orthodox tradition. In these traditional musical compositions, the Christmas performance perfectly fit in, making the event, in essence, a unique musical. The play was performed by young actors Nina Mladenovic, Marija Spasenoska, and Matej Jovanovski, who on stage, together with the musicians, performed the drama “Christmas Adventure in the City of Snowflakes” – adapted by the playwright Mrs. Biljana Krajcevska, based on the eponymous literary work by Mrs. Marija Angelovska – Dangeva. The direction of this festive musical was entrusted to the experienced Mr. Vlado Dojcinovski and Mr. Nikica Jankovski. The host of the entire event was the well-known journalist from Bitola, Mrs. Vesna Sherovska.
To our great joy, in the packed hall, where, in addition to the seats, all other possible surfaces were filled with spectators standing throughout, among the attendees were: His Eminence Metropolitan of Krushevo and Demirhisar, Mr. Jovan, His Grace Bishop of Antania and Aboot of the Holy Bigorski Monastery, Mr. Partenij, the director of the Kichevo Cultural Center, Mr. Mazlam Osmani, as well as archimandrites, monks and nuns, residents of Kichevo city, but also friends and guests from several cities across Macedonia.
At the end of the musical event, the youngest participants – choir members called upon His Grace Bishop Mr. Partenij, to present him with an appropriate gift as a token of gratitude for his efforts, initiatives, and dedicated work in realizing such beautiful things, and Mr. Filip Tintoski read a letter of thanks on behalf of all participants.
Touched by the love and inspired by the entire event, Elder Bishop Mr. Partenij warmly thanked all participants and conveyed enlightening Christian messages and teachings for the New Year of the Lord.
The celebration continued in the city center, which throughout the pre-Christmas and Christmas period was decorated with a Christmas nativity scene and adorned tree – a gathering place for many citizens of Kichevo, as it was the site of the Christmas and New Year’s bazaar, participated in and continuously enriched with new contents by all residents of the city. Yesterday, on the last day of the Bazaar, the organizers prepared a grand spectacle, enjoyed by all, especially our Elder, Bishop of Antania, Mr. Partenij, who joyfully distributed festive packages to the youngest. Earlier, in the foyer of the Cultural Center, Bishop Partenij blessed and divided the Vasilopita, and the lucky Jordan Petrevski found the coin and received the blessing for spiritual progress in the New Year of the Lord. Many surprises were prepared, including a huge cake provided by the Atva company, which was shared with all attendees.
At the end of this joyful event, the participants and organizers wished everyone that the New Year 2024 be filled with love, joy, peace, happiness, new beginnings, new hopes, and new blessings.
