Probistip has a local TV station that promotes the events that are scheduled to occur in the town but since I have cable TV, I don’t have access to that station. Accordingly I quite often don’t hear about scheduled events until after they take place. Now that David (the other PCV) works at the municipal building, I can get a better heads-ups on whose coming to town or which local organization is sponsoring an event.
I missed the biathlon that takes place here each spring (I did report on it last year) but as far as I know, that’s the only major event I didn’t know about. At the end of this school year, the students from the two primary and one high school put on a musical program at my school. This was in addition to the individual evening school performances that took place on separate dates at the old movie theater or as I call it, The Death Trap. The children and high schoolers are very talented and Macedonians in general, love to sing and dance.
The Municipality sponsored a “Run Day” for all the students. While not a requirement, every student was expected to participate (not all did). So on 14 May, the teachers escorted their students to “downtown”. Starting with the pre-schoolers and finishing up with the high schoolers (for whom it seemed to be a very-voluntary event) everyone ran a course corresponding to their grade level. Certificates were presented to the first three finishers in each category. It was another well-intentioned effort by the municipality to foster a sense of community in the town.
20 May was National Firefighters Day in Macedonia. Children from the primary schools presented flowers to the Probistip firefighters who were assembled on the plaza. Also there, was the fire truck that was donated by the United Kingdom last year and a fire Captain from England who had returned to Probistip this year with some additional equipment. In the U.K., fire fighting vehicles must be replaced every 10 -15 years, at which time those that are still functional, are donated. Members of The Florian Society, a firefighter’s organization, use their vacation time to deliver and train firefighters from developing countries in the use of the donated equipment. David and I met the Captain, who was delighted to find additional English speakers (he did have a very competent firefighter-translator from Skopje with him). After a demonstration of the fire equipment, David and I were invited by Risto, a town official, to the fire house to have a traditional Macedonian feast with the firefighters and town dignitaries to celebrate the day.
On the evening of the 20th, the Fourth Year graduating students (Seniors) had their Prom Night. What was fascinating was the tradition of, what appeared to be, the entire town showing up at 9PM to line the street as the 4th Years arrived at the hotel where the formal celebration was to occur. I really enjoyed watching the crowd as the students with their escorts walked the “Red Carpet”. The girls dressed exquisitely on their big night and rivaled any fashion models walking the Runway. I felt I was back in America on Prom Night, Anywhere, USA.
The Mayor’s Office also sponsored (through the Ministry) free English and basic computer lessons for the residents. I don’t recall the exact number of participants but it was quite impressive. The English instructors chose to use the textbook that was assembled by several previous Peace Corps Volunteers and is the one I use at school with the students I work with. I offered to assist the instructors but none of them took me up on my offer.
Our Wednesday evening English Conversation Group continues to be a blast. We have a fun time talking about whatever seems to be a topic of interest for that week. I really admire the individuals who come every week wanting to practice their English. David and I learn so much about how real down-to-earth Macedonians feel about the issues of the times and they in turn have so many questions about life in America. It’s a great time to share.
Several of the PCV’s in Skopje put together the First Annual Squirrel Basketball and Football Tournament for the purpose of collecting new or wearable clothing for those in need in the city. Such a concept does not yet exist in the Macedonian mindset. Instead of paying an entry fee, teams had to bring usable clothing on the day of the tournament. A dozen-or-so PCV’s from all over Macedonia traveled to Skopje to assist the organizers who had done all the preliminary work. I worked as a basketball referee. The event was an all–around tremendous success and the outside agencies that participated are already talking about next year. Great job, Jordan and Sarah (PCV’s)!
Finally, it’s great to be in Europe during the World Cup. South Africa is in the same time zone as Macedonia so the games are on at a reasonable time. It’s fun to be caught up in the excitement here in “The Probe”. Here one can drink their coffee, beer, or rakija at an outdoor café and watch the games on a large plasma screen, interrupted only occasionally by the hoof beats of a donkey or horse cart, the crowing of the nearby roosters, or the scooters driven illegally by helmetless 14 year olds.
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