Macedonian Festival in Syracuse Profile Story

Macedonian Festival in Syracuse Profile Story
Angie Trajcevski was excited as she served food to her customers at the Macedonian Cultural festival at Saint George Macedonian Orthodox Church, Onondaga Road, Syracuse, New York, running from Friday, August 5, 2022 at 4 p.m. to Sunday, August 7, 2022, 6 p.m. With a jovial smile on her face, Angie said, “Everything is back to normal! With food, dance, and wine! In fact, this year we have a special locally made wine at $5 a glass, and $25 a bottle, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the festival.” “I enjoy interacting with people during the festival as it is getting bigger; there are hundreds of vendors this year!" she said. Angie sells dessert, lamb, kebapi and other local Macedonian foods.
This was the 20th Anniversary of the festival that marked the celebration of Macedonian culture in Syracuse, United States. Crowds from all over the country congregated here to buy the Macedonian cultural wares that included sculptures, attires, and ornaments. The visitors also bought the Macedonian dishes and cuisines, including Kebapi, Meshana Skara, Pileshko, and the delicious Sarmi, beef, and potatoes prepared with a Macedonian touch. “20 years ago, the festival began with a simple annual dancing and crafts event at the church,” Archpriest Brando Postolovski said. According to Archpriest Postolovski, the Orthodox church building was built in 1981 and later upgraded in 1984 to what it is today. “I was appointed as the parish priest in 1988, and I helped beautify the sanctuary. Initially, I was disappointed with the building as it was not a conventional Orthodox church building. Later I engaged an iconography artist who encompassed the community’s spirit into the building in 2001,” Archpriest Postolovski added. The Archpriest was born in Macedonia 67 years ago and said that since he joined the community, they are stuck with him.
Ava Stojanovski noted that the turnout was higher this year. Tents with sellers were organized along Onondaga Road, promoting cultural wares, sculptures, ornaments, costumes, and gowns. Dancing and performing are essential to maintaining Macedonian culture. The dances and performances are a way of showcasing everything from celebrations like weddings, to everyday events like tending the fields and farms, to times of sadness and struggles Macedonian people have faced in their history. Ava said that the festival was a big part of her family’s culture as her grandparents and parents are Macedonian. “The music and culture are beautiful, and the church has always had dancing and singing since I was a child,” she said. Additionally, the event promoted cohesiveness, she said. Notably, she had been dancing since she was five, and she remembers she would get costumes and dance around having fun.
Ava also added that her favorite food is zelnik (spinach and cheese pie) and that it’s her favorite thing to make with her family. She feels connected to her childhood. She notes that there are new things, such as more Western components in the festival, even though much remains the same. She would like them to add more activities regarding the church history and the church tours with the priest giving the tourists ...