The Ludi-Mladi folk ensemble from Montpellier, France, is scheduled to participate in the 11th edition of the Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance festival, taking place at BMW Park in Munich from May 15 to 17. The performance, titled “In the Embrace of the Flame,” is designed to explore the theme of enduring love, drawing inspiration from the Nestinarstvo fire-dancing rite. According to the ensemble’s director, Iva Milkova, the performance aims to honor the history and traditions of the Bulgarian nation.
The choreography is structured in two parts: an introduction featuring free, rhythmic bagpipe music, followed by a more dynamic section incorporating the Kopanitsa and an arrangement of the horo dance Aidar Abasi. The ensemble, composed of 12 Bulgarian dancers—six students and six older participants—is dedicated to preserving Bulgarian folk culture. Milkova stated that the artistic message encourages the audience to reflect on the sacrifices made for love in any form, ultimately guiding the viewer toward personal choice and internal conviction.
The Ludi-Mladi ensemble was founded in 2013 to promote Bulgarian folk dances among compatriots in the region. Beyond performance, the group has taken on a role in hosting the festival, an experience that deepened their understanding of the logistical commitment required to create a cultural gathering for expatriates. The festival itself is organized for amateur folk groups outside of Bulgaria, with the 11th edition in Munich expecting over 100 participating groups.
Topics: #ensemble #folk #ludi
