Political Satire Comes to North Macedonia Village Carnival

The Vevcani carnival began on Monday in the village of Vevcani in the west of North Macedonia, with more traditional participants wearing masks depicting ghouls, goblins and devils, in accordance with the ancient belief that the noise and chaos they create will scare away evil spirits.

In line with a more recent tradition, more contemporary masks and costumes were also worn to comment on and satirise current social events, politics and trends.

The star attraction this year was a group of people wearing disguises intended to depict last year's arrest of former chief special prosecutor Katica Janeva, who despite once being an icon of the fight against corruption is now on trial for misuse of office.

Merging old pagan rituals with Christian motifs, the carnival has become a major tourist attraction and an important date in the Orthodox Christian religious calendar following Christmas and New Year.

Vevcani carnival. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Vevcani carnival. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Vevcani carnival. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Vevcani carnival. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Vevcani carnival. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Vevcani carnival. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Vevcani carnival. Photo: EPA-EFE/GEORGI LICOVSKI