The Ludi-Mladi ensemble from Montpellier, France, is scheduled to participate in the 11th edition of the Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance festival in Munich, taking place from May 15 to 17 at BMW Park. The folk performance, titled “In the Embrace of the Flame,” aims to depict a love story resilient to adversity. Iva Milkova, the director of the ensemble, stated that the dance draws inspiration from the Nestinarstvo fire-dancing rite, symbolizing enduring love—both personal and national—for Bulgaria and its traditions.
She explained that the performance intends to remind the audience of their heritage, the obstacles faced by the nation, and the enduring strength found in unity and tradition. The choreography is structured in two parts: an introduction featuring free, rhythm bagpipe music, followed by a more dynamic section incorporating combinations of the Kopanitsa and a rearrangement of the horo dance Aidar Abasi. Milkova noted that the ensemble comprises 12 Bulgarian dancers, six students aged 18 to 24 and six older participants aged 38 to 50.
She also reflected on the group’s history, mentioning that Ludi-Mladi was founded in 2013 to promote Bulgarian folk dances in the region. The festival itself, which showcases amateur folk groups performing outside Bulgaria, is anticipated to draw over 4,000 guests for its Munich iteration. Milkova added that hosting the event changed the group’s perspective, realizing that organizing such an event requires meticulous detail to create a supportive “temporary homeland” for participants.
Topics: #ensemble #folk #ludi
Sounds like a beautiful cultural performance to attend at the Munich festival.