New Year’s Feast Angers Macedonia Animal Rights Activists

Mayor Marjan Gjorcev (centre) announces the party | Photo by: Kisela Voda

While some animal rights activists have accused the mayor of the Skopje suburb of Kisela Voda, Marjan Gjorcev, of a public display of barbarism and animal cruelty, the authorities say they only want to hold a lively traditional party.

“Do we have to watch these animals slaughtered and massacred so that we can feast and enjoy a good party?” Dragana Velkova from the Skopje based NGO for the protection of animals, “Anima Mundi”, told Balkan Insight.

The association has urged the mayor to cancel his planned feast and make the party more dignified.

But the municipal authorities rebuff the accusations, saying the event would lose its splendor without the free food and wine.

“The goal is to make a rich and memorable public celebration,” Mayor Gjorcev explained to Balkan Insight. “People will enjoy good Macedonian music and tasty food so I call on all, even those who object, to come and join us,” he added.

“We are not slaughtering the oxen and pigs ourselves. We will buy them from meat vendors,” the mayor said, adding that the city will hire a private security company to maintain order at the party and the evening will be partly sponsored by private companies.

Local residents, meanwhile, have mixed views about Gjorcev’s plan.

“He should be ashamed of himself. A mediaeval party is not a dignified way to celebrate the New Year, especially not in an urban area,” says Snezana Divanovska, a 55-year-old housewife from Skopje.

Pance Kraljevic, a 23-year-old who lives in Kisela Voda, told Balkan Insight: “Why not? Free food and drinks for the holidays sounds good and people will get together.”

There are others who think the elaborate feast is closely related to the local elections, set for next spring.

“I guess the mayor decided to start his campaign a bit earlier,” one Kisela Voda resident told Balkan Insight.

For those who do not prefer pork chops for New Year, the city of Skopje is throwing a bit more standard party in the city centre, with performances from local pop and folk stars and plans for a lengthy fireworks show.