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 from May 15 to 17 at BMW Park in Munich. The ensemble’s director, Iva Milkova, stated that their performance, titled “In the Embrace of the Flame,” will depict a love story resilient to obstacles. Inspired by the Nestinarstvo fire-dancing rite, the performance symbolizes enduring love, both personal and for Bulgarian traditions.
Milkova explained that the goal is to remind the audience of their origins, the challenges faced by the nation, and the enduring power of unity and tradition. The choreography comprises two sections: an introduction featuring 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 creative team includes choreographers Nikolay Zagorov, Evgenia Ivanova, and Preslav Varbanov.
Milkova added that the performance encourages reflection on the sacrifices made for love, regardless of the object of that love, ultimately leading to a consideration of personal choice and inner conviction. The Ludi-Mladi ensemble, founded in 2013 to promote Bulgarian folk dances among compatriots in the region, features 12 dancers—six students aged 18 to 24 and six older participants aged 38 to 50. Milkova also reflected on the significance of hosting the festival, noting that organization requires meticulous attention to detail to create a temporary “homeland” for the community.
The festival itself, which showcases amateur folklore ensembles outside Bulgaria, is expected to draw over 4,000 guests in Munich.
Topics: #ensemble #folk #ludi
The folk ensemble Ludi-Mladi, hailing from Montpellier, France, is scheduled to perform at the 11th iteration of the traveling festival, Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance. The event will take place