Macedonian Postcards
David Bilides & Dragi Spasovski
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Recent Episodes
Episode 59 Stefče Stojkovski interviews Dragi Spasovski on Macedonian National Radio
On July 28, 2023, Stefče Stojkovski invited Dragi to his radio show on Macedonian National Radio, and interviewed him for the next 2 hours. He asked questions about his childhood, mother, interest in…
Episode 58 Bonda Dimiškova
This episode begins our new series on singers and songs. Today we are featuring the legendary vocalist Bonda Dimiškova, who was related to and served as a role model for Vaska Ilieva. Dragi talks…
Episode 57 Sva noḱ e Stanka sedela
This episode marks the conclusion of the podcasts of the 54 songs in Dragi's 3-CD set. We will be continuing the show after this episode with more wonderful songs, but are delighted to have reached…
Episode 56 Tri godini, Kate, bolen ležam
Dragi discusses the long history of the Ohridski Trubaduri, who originally recorded this love song. He also talks at length about the wonderful vocalist Vanja Lazarova.
Episode 55 Stani, bre sine Stojane
Dragi talks about some of the traditions found in line dancing, and some ways romancing was carried out. He then spends the majority of the podcast talking about the extraordinary legendary vocalist…
Episode 54 Urva Fanka
Dragi talks about the four major women's vocal groups from Aegean Macedonia, how they came to be formed, and the importance of cultural context and hidden meanings in songs.
Episode 53 Snošti te prativ na voda, ḱerko
This love song from the Debar region features the wonderful singer, Kiril Mančevski. Dragi also talks about ornamentation, and wedding traditions.
Episode 52 Mome ore zeleni livadi
Dragi discusses another of his mother's songs, from the Kumanovo area. He talks about the differences between čalgija, urban, and izvoren melodies, and how musical arrangement decisions were made for…
Episode 51 Ori mome, lastar mome
Another song from the Tetovo area, originally sung by Olga Sičan, about a girl who cannot marry due to a death in the family. Dragi talks about these customs.
Episode 50 Snošti go vidov ubavoto Stojne
This song, popular throughout Macedonia, was originally recorded by Aleksandar Sarievski. Dragi talks about Sarievski and his contemporaries.
Episode 49 Izgore selo Trnovo
Another song from the repertoire of Dragi's mother, Rajna Spasovska. Dragi continues his discussion of his mother's singing history and her colleagues, including a review of vocalists and groups from…
Episode 48 Crna ce čuma zadade
This well-known ballad about Goce Delčev is sung all over Macedonia. Dragi talks about the first person to record it, Mirvet Belovska, and about some of the many singers who've recorded it since.
Episode 47 Ḱerko mori, ḱerko
This love song from the Tetovo region is an example of how hidden love is expressed in the lyrics. Dragi also talk about Olga Sićan and his recent conversations with her family, and the Gavrovski…
Episode 46 Ne spi, Jano, ne spi, ḱerko
This song from SE centra Macedonia describes a brave woman who wards off a potential assault and joins her love to fight in the mountains. Dragi describes other songs with the theme of brave, strong…
Episode 45 Neli si se naspalo
This is a love song of the Macedonian Muslims living in the greater Šar Planina area. Dragi talks the Isjanovska sisters, describes the Macedonian Muslim dialect, and discusses that singing…
Episode 44 Stojan mi bolan legaše
This ballad is the first of several songs featuring Dragi's mother, Rajna Spasovska. Dragi also talks about Carka Tasevska and other singers from the Kumanovo area.
Episode 43 Minav gora
Dragi first heard this love song from Kumanovo sung by Blaga Videc. He talks about her and about table songs in general.
Episode 42 Snošti dojdov po tebe
This is an urban love song from Prilep, home to many singers. Dragi focuses on Jovanka Ivanovska, from whom he first heard the song.
Episode 41 Oro se vie kraj manastirot
Sung all over Macedonia, this song describes a wedding celebration at a monastery, and whose dancing is the best. Dragi also tells a story about how we got invited to Niš.
Episode 40 Karanfilke, filke, mome
Dragi learned this love song, from Radoviš, from Vančo Arsov. He talks about Vančo and the eastern Macedonian dialect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Macedonian Postcards has published 59 episodes since November 2007, covering topics in Music, Music Commentary.
Macedonian Postcards is currently declining with new episodes quarterly. Average episode length is 21m.
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