The Ludi-Mladi folk ensemble from Montpellier, France, is scheduled to perform at 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 performance, titled “In the Embrace of the Flame,” will depict a love story that endures despite various obstacles. According to the ensemble’s director, Iva Milkova, the dance draws inspiration from the Nestinarstvo fire-dancing rite, symbolizing both personal and national love for Bulgarian traditions.
Milkova stated that the performance aims to remind the audience of their heritage and the unity that has sustained the Bulgarian nation through difficult times, presenting a dual tribute to both individual romance and national tradition. The choreography comprises two sections: an introduction featuring free, rhythmic bagpipe music, followed by a more energetic part incorporating combinations of the Kopanitsa and an arrangement of the horo dance Aidar Abasi. The creative team includes choreographers Nikolay Zagorov, Evgenia Ivanova, and Preslav Varbanov.
Milkova expressed that the ultimate message is for the audience to contemplate the sacrifices made for love, regardless of its object, ultimately leading to a reflection on personal choice and moral conviction. The Ludi-Mladi ensemble, founded in 2013 to promote Bulgarian folk dances among compatriots in the region, has since become established. Milkova also reflected on the festival, noting that hosting the event taught her the meticulous effort required to create a temporary “homeland” for expatriates.
The festival itself, organized for amateur folklore groups outside Bulgaria, anticipates over 100 ensembles and 4,000 guests for the Munich event.
Topics: #ensemble #folk #ludi
This sounds like a wonderful cultural event for the festival.
What style of music or dance can readers expect from the Ludi-Mladi ensemble?