The festival “Kavadarci Folklore Gatherings” was first held in 2019 in Kavadarci, organized by the Folklore Ensemble “Tikvesh”, which operates within the House of Culture “Ivan Mazov Klime” in Kavadarci. The event was supported by the Ministry of Culture of North Macedonia and brought together numerous folklore groups from North Macedonia, Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and other countries.
The main aim of the festival was to promote folklore as an essential part of cultural heritage and to preserve and pass on traditional customs and values to younger generations. Numerous folklore ensembles participated in the event, performing traditional dances, songs, and music from their respective countries.
The festival provided an opportunity for cultural exchange and mutual appreciation of folklore traditions among different nations and regions. It contributed significantly to the promotion of culture and tourism in Kavadarci and in North Macedonia as a whole. The event achieved remarkable success and quickly became one of the most important folklore festivals in the country, with expectations that it will continue to be held in the future. “Kavadarci Folklore Gatherings” takes place during the summer months and lasts several days. The program includes open-air performances by folklore groups, exhibitions of traditional costumes and souvenirs, as well as presentations of traditional food and beverages. The festival is open to all visitors and features free public performances. It attracts a large number of attendees from across North Macedonia and the wider region, making it one of the most visited folklore festivals in the country.
In addition to stage performances, the event also includes workshops and lectures dedicated to folklore and traditional culture, offering opportunities for meetings and exchange of experiences among folklore enthusiasts. Overall, the festival serves as a valuable platform for preserving and promoting folklore as a vital element of cultural heritage and bringing it closer to a broader audience.