Zvonimir Budimirovic DEMIR KAPIJA a PART of TIKVESH STORY ABOUT WINE
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Zvonimir Budimirovic DEMIR KAPIJA A PART OF TIKVESH STORY ABOUT WINE 1 Publisher: Wine Museum Demir Kapija Edition: History of wine Zvonimir Budimirovic DEMIR KAPIJA IMPORTANT DESTINATION FOR WINE MERCHANTS TROUHT THE AGES wine is captured sun and dream of the gods author 2 A review for the book ‘History of wine’ by Zvonimir Budimirovikj : The author successfully conveys story for the wine and viniculture through centuries in the region of Demir Kapija and Tikves. The perception of this matter, he compares it in his own way through the prism of ethnology, history, archaeology and mythology. Phd Antonio Jakimovski On the work of Zvonimir Budimirovic, Demir Kapja Important Destination of Wine Merchants through the Ages Reviewer: Viktor Lilcic, Ph, Dr at St.Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Philosophy-Skopje, Institute of Art History and Archeology, Department of Archeology. Mr.Zvonimir has created a work worthy of respect. Although it has not so many pages, it is full of erudition and vision, as well as wxperience and interdisciplinarity, about the main product of the Middle Povardarie, that, under the protection of the God from Nysa- Dionysus, here in Macedonia, in the region called Tikvesh, has been occupying and activities of the people who make their existence through wine through millennia nad centuries. The author gives detailed information about the origin of wine, types of vines and their origin. He emphasizes the origin of the grapevine from the oldest periods from Georgia. Z.Budimirovic tries to find a solution for the etymology of the wine named kratoshija and makes a connection between this word and the words krater and karta(wooden wine flask) and the sweet protogenic grape extract-the must(shhira). The author of this exceptionally interesting work gives an analysis about the Paeonians, the oldest known settlers of the Tikvesh region and the Demir Kapija region, as well. He also gives an analysis 3 about old paeoninan coins, and notable vessels for storing and drinking wine. The well-known bronze krater excavated at Gramage excavaion site, near the village of Koreshnica in Demir Kapija, and the kantharos presented on the silver tetrobol of the Paeonian ruler Teutaos, discovered at the ancient fortification Markova Kula, village of Koreshnica. This work also contextualizes the finding of the representative hydria painted by the painter Meidias, as well as the wine jug which was discovered during the investigation at Varnicite excavation site near Klisursko Maalo in Demir Kapija. These findings present distinctivematerial mementos to a time past, to a specific process in which wine played a central role in the lives of local people of higher ranks. The author of the book, Mr.Zvonimir Budimirovic, continues with a description of the deep cave `Golem Zmejovec`, which was considered by the ancient population of the Middle Povardarie to be the gate to the underworld, the deadly Hades, and also mentioning a highly representative finding which has been taken to Switzerland. He gives a chronological description of the events in the Demir Kapija region and its neighboring areas, connected through the context of autochthonous wine production, the processes of its storage and transport, i.e its reading. So, he leads us thorugh the Middle Ages, through the Ottoman era when other types of grapewines arrived in this are. The author gives a special attention to the twentieth century when, even under various shifts of power, the grapevine didn`t give its leading place to other cultures. In the final part of the work, the author deals with the chemical composition of wine, the antioxidant role of phenols and their positive effects on the human organism. Finally, in front of us, we have a genuinely written monument, the work of the author Zvonimir Budimirovic, Demir Kapija, `Important Destination of Wine Merchants through the Ages` in wich he speaks, in very interesting way and interpretation, about wine, the companion of people through few millennia, wine which in an optimal absorption measure causes positive reactions in the lives of people, wine native to Demir Kapija whence it started its journey with trade caravans parts of Macedonia and the world. Because of all the useful information and the vividly painted story about wine and Demir Kapija, I warnly recommend his work to anyone in wine and truth. Prof. Viktor Lilcik, Ph 4 DEMIR KAPIJA 2011 Preface When I started writing the story about wine, I wanted to avoid all the mystic entrapments that like red rubies enlightened the way to the birth of this divine beverage. With facts bright as the light of the torches, the bare truth showed me how blind audience we were not to see like on a palm arranged evidence, about one extraordinary space at the flow of rivers Doshnica and Boshavica into the eternal Vardar. The place called Iron Gate (Demir Kapija) with all of its beauty and splendor, with its wild rocks and cliffs hanging over the river, with its eagles masters of the heights, announces to the traveler the entrance into the tame valley. The scent of noises and camel sweat, the big wooden barrels of wine and the shining gold and silk are spinning in the vortex that connects the Middle East with the North and the West. At this space exchange of goods was made, this ancient market place was marked with big red dot on the maps of the caravan roads. Through the ages the famous Tikvesh wine traveled from here to the royal tables and military camps and fortresses, to embellish the mood of the noblemen and to return the warmth in the veins of the lonely soldiers, to instill courage in their hearts. In mutual quarrels the Gods forgot the wine goblet and unwillingly gave wine to the people. Wine has remained a permanent connection between the supernatural and the natural, between spiritual and physical, between truth and deception. Women under the influence of wine lure young men into bed freed from fear and shame. In the warm and playful bed loaded with desire, in the hands of divine Eros, the body yields in bliss, ending the passion with a scream that no flame or spring that gushes cold water can match. That drink is poured when we are born, when we swear and when we die is a gift greater than sorrow and happiness. Wine is present when we socialize, when we sing and dance. It has the power to chase out and banish the darkness out of our souls. Wine, red as our blood has soaked the land of Demir Kapija, only to be reborn. Here, at the mouth of the river Vardar who grabs his way through the gorge towards the Aegean, happened the history of wine that I want to tell. the author 5 To the foreword Writing a panel story about wine is relied on historical sources. The research demands from us each and every time, extreme seriousness. In this text there is no space for legends and mythical stories. But one is surely interesting and by its audacity overcomes the boundaries of this type of literature. Namely, in conversation with my friends who are dealing with similar issues, we were searching for an answer to the question why the Tikvesh region is one of the most significant wine-region in this part of the Balkans. Beside the historical genesis of the viticulture and wine making, one very interesting explanation has imposed itself. Thousand of years ago after the big eruptions on planet Venus, cloud made of dust has been released into space that reached even planet Earth. The atmosphere was filled with dust called ambrosia. Pulled down by intensive raining, part of this dust fell on Tikvesh soil. The rose of the winds took further participation in filling this region. The composition of the soil in Tikves region is ideal for wine production. We don’t have written sources about this occurrence, but we do have information about the dust from Sahara desert that can reach our areas and store itself here. Maybe planet Venus is very far away, but Sahara desert is quite near during the major cyclone activity. 6 Wine is a beverage that deserves much larger space in the researchers’ agendas. As a beverage for body and soul it is present in every religion in the East and West. And the greatest historical stronghold is the Mediterranean. In the Christian religion wine is on the table of our messiah Jesus. Jesus says to the apostles: “this piece of bred is part of my body, and this drink is my blood with which you will communicate trough the ages”. Romans say: “in vino veritas”. And the ancient Macedonians celebrate wine through svetkovini, celebrations dedicated to the God Dionysus. Dionysus is actually Dios by Nisa, area inhabited by mixed Macedonian and Thracian population. He is God of nature’s awakening in spring. The dynasty of the Aygs celebrated Dionysus through the March’s jubilations, festivals, called martinki. Through the Thracians, even today in Bulgaria this custom called martie, martinki is still preserved. Wine is present not only in the rituals and religious rites but also in the secular happenings. During marriage proposals, wedding receptions, baptisms even at funeral rituals wine is always dominant as beverage. The wine cult is strongly present in the artistic circles. Our icon painters in the Middle Ages used wine instead of water to mix the colours and also their ascetic food consisted of bred and wine. Artists consider wine as the strongest mediator in releasing the creative genius, which rests deep in the psychological constitution of the human. Today wine is considered as a drink with bounding and relaxing abilities.