Project’s description
The Yuruks from the municipality of Karbinci (Stip region) will present their splendid world of colors, ornaments, emboridery in sterling silver and silk, their special music, instruments and dances. This ethnic community from Turkish nationality lives in the rural area of the region Plackovica and Lakavica. They will be able to present their plentiful heritage by means of a brochure, catalogue and an exhibition in Skopje, as part of the project “Yuruk Tradition”, implemented by the Association “EM” from Stip, in cooperation with the ethnologist Elizabeta Koneska.

Contact:
Association "EM" - Stip
Jonus Ali
Sremski Front Street no. 6/6, 2000 Stip
tel. 032/ 387 351; 070/ 612 333
emstip2002@yahoo.com

Location
Karbinci, Plackovica and Lakavica region, Eastern Macedonia

About the Yuruks from Plackovica and Lakavica regions
Yuruk villages on the territory of the municipality Karbinci are located on Mountain Plackovica. Traditional Yuruk culture, very particular, and unfortunately little know in our country is fostered by the locals. The Yuruk villages from the region have maintained their traditional patriarchal lifestyle. Clothing, mainly of the younger women and girls is extremely vivid, with many colors and patterns, and thus easily recognizable.

How to reach Karbinci and other villages:
Village Karbinci is the seat of the municipality. It is 15 kilometres from Stip. You can reach it by car via Stip on the road to Mountain Plackovica. Regular buses run from Skopje to Stip, and from Stip, once a week, there is local transport to Karbinci. The villages Kucica, Sasavarlija, Lakavica and Prnalija are 19 km away, whereas Selce and Dragoevo about 15 km from Stip and they can be reached following the local road to Karbinci. To reach Selce, take the local bus that operates once a week.

Where can one stay overnight?
If you want to visit the Yuruk villages on Mountain Plackovica, you stay overnight in Stip in the hotels "Oaza" and "Garni" or the hotel "Izgrev" in the settlement Prebek. One can also find accommodation in the Hiking Centre "Vrteska", located on the mountain, and managed by the Hikers’ Association "Lisec" from Stip

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Local particularities
This region is very colourful, in terms of traditional folk costumes and customs. The population is Turkish, thus the culture and tradition are very much Turkish as well. A special feature is the Turkish dialect used by the community. When visiting the villages, you can try the traditional dishes such as: several types of halva, majun, cus-sus. One of the main occupations of the local population is cattle-breeding, and they also produce tasty cheese, milk and diary products.

What Do the Surroundings Offer?
Visit the neighbouring Juruk villages where you can get to know the traditional architecture, the folk costumes and the life style of this ethnic group. City of Stip is near by, where you can visit the fortress Isar, which offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area and the valley of the Bregalnica river. You can also visit the two icon galleries – in the church St. Nicola in the centre of the city and in the church of Virgin Mary in the near-by village Novo Selo. The remains of the ancient city Bargala can also be found in the vicinity of Stip.