The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, visited the village Chalakli in Valandovo and attended the opening ceremony of the traditional spring celebration festival Hid-Bach-Sent Fest.

The festival, held annually in early May, was established in 1992 and includes numerous activities - folklore, exhibitions of handicrafts and photographs, concerts, theater performances, traditional wrestling and soccer tournament.

This event, as part of the tradition of the Turkish people, is a celebration of spring holidays, at the same time promoting the Turkish culture and customs. The festival marks the holiday Hidrellez which celebrates the beginning of a new cycle in nature and its renewal, and it is a celebration of life, being the motto of the festival. Numerous artists and groups from Macedonia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Greece were part of the festival Hid-Bach.
 
Paying tribute to the Turkish culture and customs, the President stressed that the Republic of Macedonia is a homeland of many cultures which contribute with their uniqueness and characteristics to the country’s diverse cultural heritage. The Turkish population living in these areas for centuries is an inseparable part of the Macedonian tradition of coexistence and respect, contributing to the rich cultural color.