 Project description
The idea for the project on “Days of Culture in Vrapciste” was raised by a group of young enthusiasts from Vrapciste that had felt the lack of cultural events in this region. The aim was to strengthen interethnic understanding by valorizing local cultural heritage and providing impetus for social and economic development. An ethnological museum was set up in the premises of the local self-government, and several activities were organized: cultural festival, competition of “pelivan” wrestlers, presentation of the traditional cuisine, presentation of traditional costumes, and an exhibition of handicrafts; promotional materials were printed and a book entitled “Vrapciste Through History” was published; also, a panel discussion was organized on the “Living Heritage” topic.
Contact
Association “Millennium”, Vrapciste, 042/332-326, mngo@post.com,
Alinadir Karabatak, 070/582-338
Location
Vrapciste, Gostivar region, northwestern Macedonia.
 About Vrapciste
Vrapciste is located in the northwestern part of the Republic of Macedonia, at 580 metres above the sea level. It is situated between the towns of Tetovo and Gostivar, in the Polog Valley. With the number of its inhabitants and its infrastructure, Vrapciste has increasingly been resembling a small modern town.
How to reach Vrapciste?
You can reach Vrapciste by using the Skopje - Tetovo - Gostivar highway; if you take a car from Skopje, it will take you 45 minutes. There is a road sign to Vrapciste on the road, and the village is at three kilometres away from this spot. There are coaches driving from Skopje to Gostivar each hour (the ticket costs 160 denars). There is no organized transportation from Gostivar to Vrapciste, so you can use a taxi (the taxi drive by car will cost you some 100 denars, and by taxi-van it will cost you 30 denars).
 Where to stay overnight?
There are no hotels or motels in Vrapciste. Visitors can stay in some of the hotels in Gostivar.
Local specifics
While in Vrapciste, visit a “kebap restaurant” where you can try delicious barbecue specialties. Coffee shops and pastry shops are widely known for their sweets and ice cream. You can also visit the interesting mosques in the village, and the surrounding nature offers possibilities for walks and picnic.
What can you see in the surroundings?
Immediately on the exit point of the Skopje - Tetovo - Gostivar highway, the picnic spot “Ciflik” is located with a newly-opened restaurant offering local specialties. You can visit the towns of Gostivar and Tetovo each having several famous cultural sites and buildings.
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