Prilep is gearing up for its biggest summer party. From July 17 to 19, the town beneath Marko's Towers will host the 23rd edition of "Beer Fest" - an event that long ago grew from a local gathering into one of the most-visited summer festivals in the country.

Mayor Dejan Prodanoski announced that preparations are in their final stage and that the town is "maximally ready" to welcome the guests. Municipal crews are sprucing up the central town area, "Aleksandrija" square, the parks and the greenery. Three nights of musical program, the municipality says, and "unforgettable moments".

Behind every announcement like this stands a reality worth mentioning. "Beer Fest" for Prilep is not just a party - it is one of the few days of the year when the town fills its hotels, cafes and shops, when the local economy gets the injection it needs. For a town that has been fighting emigration and closed factories for years, three days of full streets mean more than they seem.

The question that remains, as every year, is whether a single festival can carry the weight of an entire local economy. It is lovely when the town buzzes for three nights. But what happens in the other 362 days? Until then, let Prilep enjoy its beer party - it is deserved. And the bill for everything else arrives once the speakers fall silent.