The Ludi-Mladi folk ensemble from Montpellier, France, is scheduled to participate in the 11th edition of the traveling festival Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance, taking place from May 15 to 17 at BMW Park in Munich. The ensemble’s director, Iva Milkova, stated that their performance, titled “In the Embrace of the Flame,” will portray a love story resilient against adversity. Inspired by the Nestinarstvo fire-dancing rite, the dance symbolizes eternal love, encompassing both personal affection and devotion to Bulgarian traditions and the nation.
Milkova explained that the performance aims to remind the audience of their origins, the challenges faced by the nation, and the enduring strength found in unity and tradition. The double love story celebrated is directed toward a person and the culture itself. Choreographically, the piece comprises an introduction featuring free, rhythm bagpipe music, followed by a more dynamic segment integrating combinations of the Kopanitsa and an arrangement of the horo dance Aidar Abasi.
The creative team includes choreographers Nikolay Zagorov, Evgenia Ivanova, and Preslav Varbanov. The ensemble hopes the audience will contemplate the sacrifices made for love in all its forms, prompting reflection on the value of such sacrifices and the acceptability of pain. Furthermore, the message shifts toward personal choice and inner conviction.
Milkova also provided context on the ensemble’s history. Founded in 2013 to promote Bulgarian folk dances among compatriots, the Ludi-Mladi ensemble quickly gained momentum. She detailed the organization’s experience hosting the festival, noting that hosting requires meticulous coordination to create a temporary “homeland” for community members far from home.
The festival itself, which features amateur folklore ensembles outside Bulgaria, is expected to host over 100 groups and 4,000 guests in Munich.
Topics: #ensemble #folk #ludi
