The Chemshir Bulgarian Folklore Club, based in Armagh, Northern Ireland, is set to participate in a special collaboration at the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival. This event, dedicated to amateur folklore ensembles performing outside of Bulgaria, will take place in Munich from May 15 to 17. The performance will feature dancers representing several nations, including Greece, Cyprus, the USA, and Northern Ireland.
According to Plamena Chemshirova, leader of the dance group, this cross-national participation is significant as a symbol of the global unity of Bulgarian dance traditions. The group plans to present a Thracian dance originating from the Pazardzhik Region. Chemshirova noted that the choreography narrates themes of youthful love, the strength of friendship, and the captivating nature of the Bulgarian horo, a dance form believed to connect people through emotion.
The festival itself was established to support and showcase diaspora folklore groups. It was initially launched by the Ot Izvora group in Lyon, France, which hosted the first edition in 2015 and the tenth edition in 2025. Organizers anticipate a large turnout for the 11th edition in Munich, expecting participation from over 100 dance ensembles and an attendance exceeding 4,000 guests.
The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) serves as the official media partner for the event and will provide coverage for all participating groups.
Topics: #folklore #northern #ireland
It is wonderful to see such cultural exchanges happening between folklore groups from Northern Ireland and Greece.
What is the nature of the collaboration between the Chemshir Bulgarian Folklore Club and the Detelini Folklore Ensemble?