I want to explore all 1,645 Macedonian villages

The Expedition in Resen and Prespa was performed by Ethnology Professor Branislav Rusic with a group of students, including Resen's Traian Pecale, in 1949. Kristina Paskoska's expedition is second and occurs after 75 years

Conversation with ethnologist Kristina Paskoska:

Kristina Paskoska is a graduate ethnologist and anthropologist. She graduated from the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology in Skopje. The focus of her research activity is aimed at the anthropology of dance and music, visual ethnography and anthropology of cultural heritage. She is the author of the personal blog « Mecam », which contains an enthusiastic travelogues for Macedonian villages, cities and places, restaurant reviews (Ethmanology), music and ethnographic films.
In 2024 he announced his biggest mission, a project of great importance for Macedonia and respect for the roots – expedition across all Macedonian villages. A few months later, after the expedition's announcement, the first destination chose the ethnographic whole of Prespa, the capital of Tsar Samuel. This whole includes 46 villages in the Macedonian part, 22 villages in Greek and nine villages in the Albanian part. Together with his team, he managed to visit and document 38 villages within three weeks and eight more villages remain by the end of the expedition. The first expedition in Resen and Prespa was performed by prof. Branislav Rusic with a group of students, including Traian Pecale, in 1949. Kristina Paskoska's expedition is second and has been going on after 75 years.
– The project began to be cut off by my great love for Macedonia and respect for the roots, but also from the starting fact that the villages were the foundation of the state. A rich village means a rich city, that is, a rich state. That is why the needs of the villagers should be in the first place. That was the case in the past, why not the case now, at a time when there is sophisticated machinery and equipment where various subsidies can increase the business branches from which certain villages live, and thus their urbanization – says Paskoska.

I spent the most beautiful fly from childhood in Ljubojno

As we mentioned, Christina began the expedition of Prespa, the capital of Tsar Samuel. Her impression is that Prespa is beautiful, vibrant, wild, and at the same time a titomy area.
– Prespa Lake inspired her special archaicism and mysticism while villages are a story of itself. One of the reasons I chose Prespa, is because my grandmother (my mother's mother) originates from the village of Ljubojno. Ljubojno is the village in which we and I and I and my brother symbolism of the children's game, how to be a carefree child and enjoy childhood. Every year, after completing my school duties, with my parents and my brother we went to Ljubojno and stayed there until the start of the school year – says Paskoska.

Through Macedonian villages I meet people in the true sense of the word

Air, surroundings, meadows, landscapes of mountain luxury and view of Prespa Lake do not leave anyone indifferent. As Paskoska says, that sight, that peace, freshness in the chest should be experienced right there.
Through her journeys, she encountered fully emigrated villages, but also to villages with more or less inhabitants, from which they hear their life stories about the former and current rural life, as well as their messages to improve the current situation in the Macedonian villages.
– I meet people in the true sense of the word. Saturated and tired in the fight for a better tomorrow, but nevertheless with sparking hope in the eyes and soul. Eager for a hug, a smile, a nice shared word – says Paskoska.
He says that some basic needs and problems should be solved for the better functioning of the Macedonian villages.
– Some villages still do not have water, have no electricity, no infrastructure, they have nowhere to throw trash, ambulance, shop, schools. The villages can survive if all this is carried out, not neglected. In the 21st century people begging for basic needs is a real tragedy – says our interlocutor.
These disadvantages are the cause of massive displacements, not only from villages but also from cities, outside the borders of Macedonia. In addition to these reasons, migration is largely due to socio-economic development, family reasons, education and employment. But Paskoska is optimistic and thinks situations can change for the better.
The expedition will be documented through photography and drone, field notes, audio and videos. Upon completion of the expedition in each region, there are montage of aerostors, post -production of photographs and processing of ethnological and anthropological audio and videos, ie transcriptions. The ultimate goal is an exhibition of photographs and publishing a book.

Family – main support

It is interesting to mention that Kristina Paskoska is making her travels with her family. She says her travelogues would not be what they are if she is not experiencing traveling with her family, which is very supportive.
– I feel safe and comfortable while traveling and researching together. The expedition to take place naturally, without forcing, enjoys and works. What I want is all who participate in the expedition to feel good and no pressure. Everyone has their own role, husband manages drone, my brother Nikola Kolarovski is photographing, and my son can use a camera. I am in charge of visual ethnography in ethnological and anthropological research – says Paskoska.
The expedition through all 1,645 Macedonian villages is a big challenge for Paskoska and her family of time, organizational and financial aspects.
– The expedition is funded by selling T -shirts and hoodies with the McCam logo, as well as through a transaction account. In my numerous public speeches I have emphasized that we do not seek luxury, nor that we want to get rich from this project, but strive for spiritual refinement -Ethnologist Kristina Paskoska says.
Since the collapse of the Prespa region so far, Prespa specialties have left a special impression, especially the well -known « ciron ».
– If there were guests from abroad, I would first take them to the village of Arvati. Guests would enjoy the outstanding palette of wines, eat traditional Prespa specialties, and as we go, in the background we would hear the Sharplanine Ezgija performed on the kaval of my great -grandfather Mile Kolarovski, known among the people as Mile Kolarov – says Kristina Pasko, As in the completely expatriate villages of Stipona and Petrino, who only revive in the summer months, thanks to people from the diaspora originating from these villages.