Galicnik
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Galičnik (Macedonian: Галичник) is a village in the Republic of Macedonia. It is located on the slopes of the Bistra mountain, in the heart of the region of the Mijaci tribe, about 10 km from the artificial lake of Mavrovo and the winter resort of Zare Lazareski. It is famous for the "Galička Svadba", a traditional and public summer wedding, held annually on the day of the village feast of the Patron Saint – Petrovden (St. Peter's day). During the wedding, local men will dance the "Teškoto"[1] (the "hard" or "heavy") - a dance that is meant to symbolize the overcoming of difficulties in life (.wav sound file).
In the past, the economy of Galičnik relied on the sheep trade, while many families sent the men on a "pečalba" - abroad to work and bring home some fortune. Today, Galičnik is but only a destination of tourism and leisure for the long departed locals, many of whom return to renovate and restore old family houses and use them as a holiday refuge away from the summer heat in the capital Skopje.
People from Galičnik and northwestern Macedonia appreciate its mature yellow cheese "kaškaval" as well as the local salt brine white cheese "belo sirenje". Galičnik is also famous for its local traditional architecture, including an amphitheatre in the village square, its summer Galičnik Art Colony and its countryside and nature reserve.
