Na Zdravje! A Local Church Prepares for its 20th Annual Macedonian Festival Na Zdravje! A Local Church Prepares for the Annual Macedonian Festival

Andrew MacBeath: “Na Zdravje!

The annual Macedonian Festival starts this weekend from Saint George Macedonian Orthodox Church.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the event.

Festival Co-Chairperson Diana Jakimoski is glad to bring her culture to the people of Syracuse.”

Diana Jakimoski: “With the Festival of Nations not being around, we were kind of wanting to do something that would continue our culture within the community.”

MacBeath: “The festival will have traditional dancing, music, and authentic Macedonian cuisine over three days of celebration.

Jakimoski believes it is important to educate people about other cultures, and the festival is a great platform to bring Macedonian culture to the forefront.”

Jakimoski: “So it’s more bringing our culture and our food to the community, because you know, most people wouldn’t know where Macedonia is, because is such a smaller country on the map.”

MacBeath: “The festivities kick off tomorrow and will last until Sunday, August 7th.

From Syracuse, Andrew MacBeath, N-C-C News.”

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) —  St. George Macedonian Orthodox Church will host their annual Macedonian Festival this weekend.

This year will be the 20th anniversary of the festival.

During the fun-filled weekend, St. George Orthodox will be the venue for traditional Macedonian music, dancing, and authentic cuisine. Bottles of Macedonian wine, including highly valuable Domaine Lepovo bottles, will be sold at the event. Lepovo only makes 70,000 bottles a year.

Children can get involved in the celebration, where they can learn traditional Macedonian dances and songs. Some of the children at the church will perform these dances in shows throughout the weekend.

The festival will also hold church tours for those interested in joining St. George for weekly service.

The sign outside St George Orthodox displays an advertisement for the Macedonian Festival.
Located at 5083 Onondaga Road, St George Orthodox is planning to host their historic Macedonian Festival, where attendees will enjoy food, dancing, and music.
© 2022 Andrew MacBeath

Festival Co-Chairperson Diana Jakimoski is excited to bring the festival back for another year. The festival was born out of the desire to share Macedonian culture to the people of Central New York through the church and its platform.

“With the Festival of Nations not being around, we wanted to do something that would continue our culture within the community.”

The festival will be a chance for the church to expand its reach. It is both a cultural celebration and a fundraiser for St. George, enabling it to hold this festival year after year and carry out missions and other outreach opportunities.

Both regulars and newcomers frequent the festival, and Jakimoski looks forward to serving the community.

“It’s the hospitality of our culture and our people,” she says. “We’re very welcoming and open-minded; we’re always willing to help out an individual.”

The festivities start Friday and will continue until August 7th.

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