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 ensemble director, Iva Milkova, stated that the performance, titled “In the Embrace of the Flame,” will depict a love story resilient to adversity. She noted the dance draws inspiration from the Nestinarstvo fire-dancing rite, symbolizing enduring love for both people and Bulgarian traditions.
Milkova explained that the performance aims to remind the audience of their heritage and the historical challenges faced by the nation, emphasizing unity and tradition as enduring strengths. This tribute to history will explore a dual narrative: one of personal love and one of cultural tradition. The choreography features two sections: an introduction with free, rhythm bagpipe music, followed by a more dynamic segment incorporating combinations of the Kopanitsa and an arrangement of the horo dance Aidar Abasi.
The ensemble comprises 12 Bulgarian dancers—six students aged 18 to 24 and six older participants aged 38 to 50. Milkova also reflected on the ensemble’s experience hosting the festival, noting that successful organization requires meticulous attention to detail to create a temporary “homeland” for the community. Founded in 2013 in Montpellier to promote Bulgarian folk dances, the ludi group initially gained traction among local youth.
Following the establishment of the Bulgarian School for Folk Dances, the ensemble debuted publicly in March 2014. The Expats Join Hands festival, organized for amateur folk groups outside Bulgaria, is anticipated to host over 100 groups and 4,000 attendees at the Munich event.
Topics: #ensemble #folk #ludi
The Ludi-Mladi folk ensemble from Montpellier, France, is scheduled to perform at the 11th edition of the Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance festival. The festival will take place at BMW Park in Mun