Memorial House of Kocho Racin
Kocho Racin (Kosta Apostolov Solev) is one of the most outstanding Macedonian poets and revolutionary that lived a relatively short life (1908-1943) but made a great influence on the development of Macedonian literature. His most well-known work is the collection of poems named White Dawns that sold in more than 4,000 copies not only in Macedonia but in the surrounding region as well.
The Memorial House is the real house of Kocho Racin who was born in Veles. The house was built on the left side of the Vardar River and reflected the traditional Veles house, which nowadays is considered the type of house with the most appealing architecture. The house was constructed in the late 19th century and consists of a stone ground floor, a prominent white façade on the first floor, and a steep roof covered with tiles.
The house underwent full reconstruction in 1963; however, it has maintained its authentic appearance and typical of the old Macedonian houses, it presents a ground floor and a first floor. Racin’s pottery workshop and the kiln in which he fired the clay products are on the ground floor. The upper floor has two rooms, a kitchen and a guest room, as well as a chardak with a breathtaking view of the old town.
On the chardak, there's a permanent exhibition of documents and objects that belonged to the great poet, whose poem collection White Dawns is the most translated book by a Macedonian poet. The Memorial House represents his initial manuscripts along with many other memorabilia from his life and work. There showcased 31 love letters and cards from Kocho Racin to Rahilka Firfova-Raca, several of which were written with his blood in the 1920s.
Racin’s house is most visited during “Racin Meetings” and “Children’s Racin Meetings”, which are held in his honor. During the summer, a pottery workshop took place at the Memorial House, where top Veles potters teach the interested students about the fundamentals of pottery, preventing this craft from dying out.
Location: Kocho Racin Str., Veles
