The RitmiKKa folk dance troupe from Hamburg, Germany, is scheduled to participate in the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival, taking place in Munich from May 15 to 17. Kamen Kunev, the headmaster and choreographer of the troupe, stated that the performance will feature a dance created approximately 60 years ago by choreographer Zahari Andreev, whose graduate Kunev is. He explained that selecting this specific choreography reflects a commitment to preserving the work of notable figures in the performing arts.
According to Kunev, the dance symbolizes the communal gathering in a village square. He noted that historically, evenings following fieldwork involved community gatherings centered around music, songs, and dance. Participating in the festival, he stated, aims to demonstrate that unity through dance persists even when members are living abroad.
The troupe will debut in newly designed costumes, which were tailored specifically for the festival by fashion designer Nikolay Kolev. Preparing for the performance required an entire season of rehearsals, with meticulous attention paid to every detail. The Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival is organized for amateur folk ensembles performing outside of Bulgaria.
The initiative was first launched by the Ot Izvora group in Lyon, France, which hosted the inaugural edition in 2015 and the tenth edition in 2025. The 11th edition in Munich anticipates participation from over 100 dance ensembles and an attendance of more than 4,000 guests. The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) serves as the official media partner for the event.
Topics: #dance #troupe #folk
