Hi Kristijan,

In 1990 and 1991 I went to Ohrid for my holidays - I had a wonderful time there but, unfortunately, it was just before the collapse of Jugoslavija and I never went back.

I heard some Macedonian music while I was there and I have never forgotten it.

On one occasion I went for a guided walk on Mount Pelister, near Bitola. In the mountain refuge I heard two elderly men playing bagpipes (gaida?) and a long flute (kaval?) - I hope that I have the right words for these instruments.

In a village near the Mavrovo National Park I heard village children beating out the complex rhythms that you describe on old tin cans!

In a hotel near the lake I heard a local group playing guitars and an accordian. These people were such good musicians, and I enjoyed their music so much, that I failed to notice that the party of English people that I was with had left the hotel! I had to walk back, in the dark, to my hotel. I always remember that the bushes by the lake were full of nightingales - more beautiful music!

Macedonia ('Makedonija' - as I suppose I should call it) is a very beautiful country and, one day, I hope to go back. My best wishes to you and the Macedonian people.