The dance community in Germany is set to showcase Bulgarian culture at the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival. This event will take place from May 15 to May 17 at the BMW Park in Munich. Participating in the festival are two local ensembles: “Shevitsa” from Essen and “Mila Rodina” from Krefeld.
For this occasion, the two groups are uniting under the name “Shevitsi from Mila Rodina” for their inaugural joint performance. According to their leader, Ivandzhelin Ivanova, this collaboration stems from a mutual commitment to preserving and promoting Bulgarian folklore abroad. The featured performance will be “Shopska Zakachka” (“Shopi tease”), a piece choreographed by Iliya Petkov.
The routine draws inspiration from traditional dances originating in the Shopluk folklore region, aiming to recreate the energetic spirit and playful interactions characteristic of village celebrations. The ensemble comprises 22 dancers, ranging in age from 14 to over 60. Many members of the troupe were born or raised in Germany but maintain deep cultural ties to their Bulgarian heritage.
The preparation for this showcase has involved intensive, multi-week rehearsals, alongside the meticulous creation of costumes and accessories. The traveling festival itself serves as a gathering point for amateur Bulgarian folklore dance ensembles from across the globe. Since its inception in 2015, the event has hosted cultural showcases in various European cities, providing a platform for cultural exchange and artistic continuity.
Topics: #dance #groups #essen
Dance groups from Essen and Krefeld are scheduled to participate in the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance festival, which will take place at the BMW Park in Munich from May 15 to May 17, featu