Macedonian Orthodox faithful mark the Day of forgiveness – or Procka – when the younger ask their elder for forgiveness for all wrongs they’ve done during the year. In response, it is customary that the older ones accept the request and ask for forgiveness in return.

Procka marks the beginning of the spring holidays, and is celebrated with rich feasts and bobbing for apples.

This year, Procka finds the Macedonian society deeply politically divided, over the constant persecution and arrests, and over the imposed name change. A holiday Twitter message from Prime Minister Zoran Zaev was quickly followed by dismissive comments.