The dance troupes “Shevitsa” from Essen, Germany, and “Mila Rodina” from Krefeld, Germany, will collaborate under the name “Shevitsi from Mila Rodina” at the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival. The event is scheduled to take place from May 15 to 17 at the BMW Park in Munich. This joint appearance marks a first for the two groups, who are uniting due to a shared commitment to preserving and promoting Bulgarian culture abroad through dance.
According to their leader, Ivandzhelin Ivanova, the collaboration aims to showcase the rich traditions of Bulgarian folklore. The performance will feature the routine “Shopska Zakachka” (“Shopi tease”), choreographed by Iliya Petkov. This piece is inspired by traditional dances from the Shopluk folklore region, aiming to recreate the lively spirit and playful interactions characteristic of village celebrations.
The ensemble comprises 22 dancers, whose ages range from 14 to over 60. Several members were born or raised in Germany but maintain deep ties to their Bulgarian heritage. Preparation for the festival has involved intensive weekly rehearsals, alongside the creation of specialized costumes and accessories.
The traveling festival itself gathers amateur Bulgarian folklore ensembles from around the world and has been held in various European cities since its inception in 2015. The participation of the groups from Essen and Krefeld highlights a continued effort to keep Bulgarian cultural traditions vibrant through performance dance.
Topics: #dance #groups #essen
The dance troupes “Shevitsa” of Essen and “Mila Rodina” of Krefeld will collaborate as “Shevitsi from Mila Rodina” at the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival. This joint perf