 Project description
The goal of the project “Economic development through cultural and historical values” was to revive local cultural and historical values and thereby support economic strengthening of women and the development of small businesses. Training was organized in weaving and embroidering for traditional costumes; in preparing traditional meals; in forging and developing specific clay plates (“cerepi”). Public ovens were developed in Velesta and in Delogozda. In the end, public events were organized in both villages with an exhibition of traditional costumes and meals made in ovens that same day and a presentation of traditional music, dance and songs.
Contact
Nurie Zaku, Women organization “Aureola”, Struga, 29 Boro Sain St., 046/787-347, aureola_6@yahoo.com
Natmir Zaku, Association “Vitae”, Delogozda, 046/67-867, tel: 046/709-449
Location
Velesta and Delogozda, Struga region, western Macedonia.
 About Velesta and Delogozda
Velesta and Delogozda are one of the biggest villages in the Struga region with some 10 thousand inhabitants. They possess rich and diversified tangible and intangible heritage. However, in the course of time, due to the migration of young people, a great part of the cultural and historical heritage have become forgotten and neglected. Local population occupies itself with agriculture. There is a primary school in Delogozda.
How to reach Velesta and Delogozda?
You can reach Velesta and Delogozda if you take a car from Struga on an asphalt road. Velesta and Delogozda are 14 kilometres and 7 kilometres away from Struga respectively. To reach Velesta you take the road from Struga to Debar, and to reach Delogozda you use the same road, but you have to turn on a crossroad in the vicinity of the “Ilinden” gas station. There is no regular bus line to the villages.
Where to stay overnight?
There is a hotel and a restaurant in Delogozda. One can also stay overnight in one of the many hotels in nearby Struga.
 Local specifics
The two villages possess diversified cultural and historical heritage: old musical instruments, traditional costumes, and other traditional traits. The villages are known also for their agriculture and cattle breeding products. They are also famous for the rye bread baked in “cerep” - clay dishes covered with metal plates.
There are many restaurants in Velesta and a hotel in new Velesta- just before you enter the village. There is a small fishpond in the centre of the village; next to it, there is restaurant where people will immediately prepare you meals from the fish in the fishpond as well as other traditional meals.
What can you see in the surroundings?
In the village of Livada a kilometre away from the entrance of Delogozda, there is a private ethnological museum established by a history professor, which deserves to be visited. In the vicinity the Vevcani village is located with its famous springs and other natural and cultural values. Of course, you can visit the town of Struga and the Ohrid Lake.
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