WITCHES BANISHED – DAY OF FORGIVING AND HAPPINESS
18.03.2013
On the holiday called `white week -Poklade` that represents the beginning of Christian celebration of great fasting period beofre Easter time, `Nonius` Horse riding club, in the cooperation with the residents of Gornje Medjurovo and with the support of Palilula Municipality, organized for the fifth time manifestation `Karavestice –witches`. Hosts of this year jubilee of poklade in Gornje Medjurovo were Toni and Jasna Ilieski. This is unique reminding and returning to folk tradition and old creativity arts of the people of this part of country, said the hosts.During the beautiful and a bit cold sunny weather, the residents of Medjurovo gathered, but also from the surrounding villages and many guests from Nis members of this horse riding club. The fact that old Serbian customs still attract the attention of the residents showed this gathering that mostly made happy the youngest, since they had to put special masks for this day.

Participants of manifestation, how Jelena `witch` programme host announced, Boban Dzunic, Municipal president, welcomed the present as first chief from Palilula. `This manifestation in one unique way is our contribution to the celebration of great Christian jubilee 1700 anniversary of Milan Edict. It is also promotion of folk tradition, customs and tourist offer in Palilula and City of Nis, emphasized the president of the Municipality. Specially we are happy for the big presence and active participation of children that according to tradition came with masks, but I am also glad for the great enthusiasm and hospitality of Ilievski family`.

`Poklade` is celebrated in Serbian tradition before the beginning of pre – Easter fasting, as and period of great fasting –`white poklade`. Poklade is folk holiday also widely present in Europe and USA. Its roots are in pagan way connected to celebration of the cult of Sun and coming of Spring. Today they are connected to the beginning of the celebration of great fasting before Easter. Poklade are recognized as time of enjoying food, drink and celebration with masks, all this familiar as carnival. It is a day for forgiveness and celebration. It is thought that in the period of great fasting one should go without sin. In households traditionally preparations are for `fat` feasts specially white type of `fat` after which this celebration got its name. Folk beliefs are connected to the period of the poklada with increased danger of evil powers and witches from which the folk protects itself in symbolical ways, for example garlic or burning ritual fires (olagija).

Village yard in Gornje Medjurovo, horses, children with masks – participants of the programme, returned us to the moment of long time passed period. The most beautiful masks and `most beautiful` witches according to the estimation of the special jury, got also special awards. The fires were burned. Dolls symbolizing witches are thrown to bonfire and the most courageous were jumping over the fire while the fire was not totally put off. Jasna and Toni Ilieski, the hosts of Karavestice, were very much pleased with visit. This manifestation already became tradition. According to old, Serbian custom, gathering was finished with food, hot tea and heated brandy.