TRADITIONAL DIVERSITY | Page 147

Ilinden : Macedonian National Festival

Ilinden is a big National Macedonian holiday that is celebrated on the 2 nd of August every year . It has a big meaning in the Macedonian history because the Ilinden Uprising took place on the 2 nd of August 1903 .
On August 4 , under leadership of Nikola Karev a local administration called KruĊĦevo republic had been set up . Actually , it was the first republic on the Balkans . Unfortunately , it lasted just 10 days .
Today , this holiday is celebrated for 10 days starting from the 1 st of August until the 10 th of August . Different events are held everyday in honour of the holiday .
Before the beginning of the holiday people place the Macedonian flag on every corner of the streets and a lot of people put up red woolen blankets on their balconies which symbolize victory .
Stefanija-Marija NIKKAREV