Click Here to Check Email

In the course of many centuries the Strumica region and the city of Strumica were the crossroad of merchants from the east, west, north, and south, hence also a milestone to the interests and influences of many different civilizations. Despite strong propaganda and pressures, numerous traditional cultural values have managed to survive in this region. Today, the Strumica region represents an important cultural center where the old traditions and customs endure, constantly being complemented and suplemented, but leaving enough room for the new and progressive cultural events. Besides the traditional events persevering throughout the centuries, including popular folklore, old customs, village fairs, the Drvosh bullfights, and the well-known Strumica Carnival, today the city also enjoys other events, such as the International Art Colony and the Chamber Theater Festival.

Back to top

Traditional Strumica Carnival

Carnivals in Macedonia are usually associated with the end of winter and the arrival of spring. It was believed that the cold winters and the dangers associated with them was the work of the evil goddess of winter, known among the people as Baba Roga. Thus, at the end of winter, a doll representing Baba Roga, was burned as a celebration for the end of the winter dangers.

The Traditional Strumica Carnival blends together the old traditions, the ethnological specifics of the region, the talent and humor of the people, the past, present, and future, into one manifestation that has proved to be an important tourist attraction for the city of Strumica. As noted by the turkish traveler Evlija Chelebija in 1670, "in the city in the foot of the hill, that night masked people ran from house to house through laughter and songs". Similarly, today thousands of people enjoy the talented creations of the participants in the carnival. The rich range of creativity based on familiar topics and themes from the Bible to the visions of the future, result in such costumes as "The Last Dinner", "Clinton in Strumica", "The Children of Africa", and "K-15 by Strumica", as well as many other inventive creations reflecting on people's everyday lives.

The Strumica Carnival is held during the Trimeri holidays, at the beginning of the big Easter fast. Trimeri begin on Sunday night (on Procka) and last until Wednesday. The night of Tuesday is the traditional carnival night. This night of costumes, laughter, songs, and happiness, begins with the opening of the carnival by the carnival Tzar followed by fireworks and lots of music. Then, the carnival parade goes through the city streets entertaining everybody present, not only from Strumica but also visitors from other parts of Macedonia and even internationally. At the end, the best costumes are selected and awarded in one of three categories, a group costume, a single costume, or a musical group. The partying continues until the early morning hours, in the city's night bars or through the houses of the newly wed or engaged women, where the Trimeri celebrations come to an end.

The Carnival became an organized event in the early 1990s and has grown ever since. In 1995 Strumica became a member of the Federation of European Carnival Cities (FECC) and in 1998 it hosted the FECC annual meeting.

Back to top

International Strumica Art Colony

The International Strumica Art Colony has been quite successful since 1964. It is one of the most productive events of its kind noted by the participation of over 700 painters from Macedonia and 50 other countries. The participants have made over 3,000 works in all art disiplines and tecniques, of which 1,600 are in permanent possession of the Strumica Art Gallery.

The International Art Colony is held every year from August 1 to August 20 and approximately twenty artists, representatives of different cultural environments and art traditions and trends work in each of the sessions. The newly created works are presented to the public at the traditional exhibition held on September 11, the Day of the Liberation of Strumica. A part of the works made at the Colony decorate the business premises of some organizations and institutions in Strumica, while the best ones are presented to the art-lovers at the thematic exhibition cycles.

The International Art Colony is a recipient of numerous prizes and awards. Due to the Colony, Strumica is considered as a source of renowned artists and is also numbered among the cities with greatest number of private collectors. Thanks to the Colony, Strumica and Denizli, Turkey, have become sister cities.

Back to top

The Cultural Center

The Cultural Center, as an institution, is an important factor for the cultural life in Strumica. Since its construction in 1986, an exquisite and attractive structure, the 'Blagoj Jankov Muceto' Cultural Center is the organizer of a sequence of events, attracting the attention of the public. Apart from arranging different cultural programs, the Center also represents a core for promotion of a variety of activities, involving a considerable number of citizens, particulary youth, such as the 'Denica' Youth Choir, winner of prizes at practically every domestic and foreign event at which it has taken part.

One of the most important activities of the Cultural Center is the inclusion not only of the institution, but also of the entire region and the country, in the UNISONO cultural market, primarily by animating the cultural values of Macedonia and the exchange of cultural contents with the world.

The Cultural Center of Strumica, formerly the Culture and Education Community, fosters the cultural activities and unites all the cultural and artistic associations in the region. Among these are the 'Goce Delcev' Cultural and Artistic Association from Bosilovo, 'Kostake Tasev' from Dabile, 'Manus Turnovski' from Turnovo, 'Ilija Mladenov' from Novo Selo, 'Braka Minkovi' from Kuklis, 'Koco Racin' from Robovo, 'Rusalii' from Sekirnik, and others. In Strumica, within the frames of the Cultural Center are the Cultural and Artistic Association 'Boro Djoni', the Ensemble for Old Town Songs 'Raspeani Strumicani', the city Brass Orchestra, the Cultural and Artistic Association 'Kardaslak' for the young people of Turkish and Rom minority, etc.

Back to top

The Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments and Natural Rarities and Museum

The Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments and Natural Rarities and Museum, was founded in 1958 in Strumica as a District Museum, which operated as such until 1978 when it was transformed into the present organizational structure.

The major activity of the institution is research, protection, and presentation of the cultural and historical heritage and museum material of the Strumica region. In the course of its existence, this institution has organized a number of exhibitions from the field of archeology, history, history of art, and ethnology. An archeological map of the region has been made, marking all the well-known archeological sites. Among these should be mentioned the Roman therms and the 'Holy 40 Sevastil Martyrs' in Bansko, 'Stranata' in Angelci, the 'Holy 15 Tiveriopol Martyrs', Orta Mosque, and 'Macuk' in Strumica, as well as the Vodoca Churches complex in Vodoca. Twenty five structures and one urban entity are under protection of the Law and technical and photo documentation has been prepared for all of them. Over 1,300 icons have also been registered. As for the natural rarities, the fern species 'osmunda regalis', the black pine trees, the maple and elm, as well as the waterfalls in Smolare and Kolesino, are also under protection.

On the occasion of the 35-th aniversary of this institution, in 1987 the permanent exhibition 'Strumica and the Strumica Region Throughout the Centuries' was opened, and in 1989 the 'Collection of Papers', a collection of extremely important documents and material on the history of Strumica, was published.

Back to top

The Archive of Macedonia - Extension Service Strumica

The Archive of Macedonia - Extension Service Strumica, formerly known as the City Historical Archive, was founded in 1956. Its main activity is to collect the archived material of the administration organs, economic organizations, other organs and organizations, political parties, associations, and civilians. The Archive has a fond of 382 archived materials, 6 collections, and 1,882 books. The documents are mainly in Macedonian, but there are also some in Bulgarian, Serbian, Turkish, and English. The oldest document, one of the 'Evangelistic and Methodist Church', dates from 1882. The Archive has published the exceptionally important publication 'A Guide to the Archive Funds and Collections', while its library has 1,345 valuable books, primarily historical and professional literature.

Back to top

Introduction
Strumica Geography
  · Geo-economic regions
  · Seismology
  · Soil
  · Climate
  · Land
  · Forests
  · Geology
  · Irrigation
Strumica History
  · Ancient Times
  · Medieval Times
  · Ottoman Rule
  · Balkan Wars
  · World Wars
Strumica Culture
  · Traditional Strumica Carnival
  · International Strumica Art Colony
  · The Cultural Center
  · The Institute for Protection of Cultural Monuments and Natural Rarities and Museum
  · The Archive of Macedonia - Extension Service Strumica
Strumica Economy
  · Agriculture
  · Industry
  · Banks
  · Postal Services
  · Road Infrastructure
  · Transportation
  · Trade
 

The bullfights in the village of Drvosh

A K-15 mask at the Traditional Strumica Carnival

The Strumica Carnival was represented in Denmark

A painting from the Strumica Art Colony

A painting from the Strumica Art Colony

The Strumica Cultural Center

The Cultural Artistic Performing Group 'Boro Djoni'

The city brass orchestra

The Strumica Museum

Sample exhibits from the Strumica Museum

Sample exhibits from the Strumica Museum

The Smolare Waterfall - protected by law