The dance groups “Shevitsa” from Essen, Germany, and “Mila Rodina” from Krefeld, Germany, will collaborate under the name “Shevitsi from Mila Rodina” at the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival. The event is scheduled to take place from May 15 to 17 at the BMW Park in Munich. This marks the first joint appearance for the two ensembles.
According to their leader, Ivandzhelin Ivanova, the collaboration is motivated by a mutual dedication to preserving and promoting Bulgarian culture abroad through dance. The groups will perform the piece “Shopska Zakachka” (“Shopi tease”), a routine choreographed by Iliya Petkov. This performance is inspired by traditional dances from the Shopluk folklore region, aiming to recreate the lively atmosphere and playful interactions characteristic of village celebrations.
The combined group comprises 22 dancers, with ages ranging from 14 to over 60. Many members of the groups were born or raised in Germany but maintain significant ties to their Bulgarian heritage. Preparations for the festival have involved intensive rehearsals multiple times weekly, alongside the creation of costumes and accessories.
The travelling festival itself gathers amateur Bulgarian folklore ensembles from various international locations and has been held in several European cities since its inception in 2015.
Topics: #dance #groups #essen
