Celebrating slava in Veles

On November 25, Balkan Language Initiative students Benjamin Hiatt and Andrew Mairs, accompanied by their language teacher, embarked on a cultural excursion to the city of Veles. The agenda encompassed a tour of the town's architecture, a visit to the prominent St. Cyril and Methodius church at the town center, and a brief excursion to the picturesque Lake Mladost near Veles.

The highlight of their experience was a visit to a traditional Macedonian "Slava" or Family Name Day celebration hosted by the family of Igor Stojkov, the YES Alumni Coordinator family in proximity to Veles. This afforded them the unique opportunity to savor authentic Macedonian Slava cuisine, to engage with a Macedonian family and to experience the rich traditions associated with the slava celebration.