The Rhythm and Friends folk formation from Wokingham, UK, is scheduled to participate in the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival, taking place at BMW Park in Munich from May 15 to May 17. For this event, Rhythm and Friends Wokingham will perform the Thracian dance, Sedyanka. The choreography for this performance was specifically developed for the eleventh edition of the festival, which is themed “Libe le, libe hubavo” (My Love, My Beautiful Love).
According to Elena Yonchevska, the group’s leader, the dance narrates the initial encounters and emotions of young men and women at a village square gathering. This setting is described as a place where love originated, marked by the uneven rhythms of the Bulgarian horo, the significance of receiving a maiden’s flower for young men, and the declaration of affection by young women. Yonchevska, who also directs the choreography and arrangement, aims for the performance to evoke the feelings of happiness and love experienced by those who attended such gatherings.
She noted that the music accompanying the dance is traditional folk music. Yonchevska founded the Rhythm folk formation in Wokingham in September 2018. With a background spanning over 25 years in folk dance, she has worked as an instructor and assistant choreographer for the Rhythm folk formation and ensemble in Varna.
She stated her commitment to preserving Bulgarian traditions and dances by teaching them to both children and adults interested in their heritage. As the leader of Rhythm Wokingham and the Friends amateur folk dance school in Oxford, she expressed her desire to share her passion for folklore with all ages. The group comprises Bulgarians and foreigners from the United States, England, and Turkiye, with members ranging in age from seven to over 80.
The festival, organized for amateur folklore ensembles outside Bulgaria, was initiated by the Ot Izvora group in Lyon, France. The 11th edition in Munich anticipates participation from over 100 dance ensembles and an attendance of more than 4,000 guests.
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