What is "bistrenci"

Bistrenci is one of the larger villages in Demir Kapija Municipality. Its population is mixed among Turks, ethnic Macedonians, Albanian, and Vlach. It had its roots in the Ottoman period until the Slovenes came to harvest grapes. The Catholic church was then built. Many Turkish stayed and still live in the village to this day. The Slovenes stayed until World War II, and the Macedonians inhabited the village afterwards and erected an Orthodox community. To this day, the village is one of the few with a mosque, which was recently rebuilt, a Catholic church, and an Orthodox church. The Slovenian Embassy recently built a park commemorating soldiers killed in World War II. The village celebrates its patron holiday, coined Panagjur, on October 27.