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 at BMW Park in Munich from May 15 to 17. The ensemble’s director, Iva Milkova, stated that their performance, titled “In the Embrace of the Flame,” explores a love story enduring through adversity. The piece draws inspiration from the Nestinarstvo fire-dancing rite, symbolizing eternal love for both individuals and the Bulgarian nation and its traditions.
Milkova explained that the performance aims to remind the audience of their heritage, the challenges faced by their nation, and the enduring strength found in unity and tradition. This tribute will manifest through a dual narrative: one of personal love and one of cultural tradition. The choreography features two distinct parts: an introduction with free, rhythm bagpipe music, followed by a dynamic section combining the Kopanitsa and an arrangement of the horo dance Aidar Abasi.
The 12-member ensemble includes six students aged 18 to 24 and six older participants aged 38 to 50, all of Bulgarian descent. Milkova also reflected on the significance of hosting the festival, noting that organizing the event requires meticulous attention to detail to create a temporary “homeland” for many Bulgarians far from home. The Ludi-Mladi ensemble was founded in 2013 to promote Bulgarian folk dances among compatriots in the region.
The festival itself, which features amateur folklore ensembles outside Bulgaria, was initiated by the Ot Izvora group. The 11th edition in Munich anticipates over 100 dance ensembles and 4,000 attendees.
Topics: #ensemble #folk #ludi
What is the theme or focus of the performance titled “In”?