The dance ensembles “Shevitsa” from Essen, Germany, and “Mila Rodina” from Krefeld, Germany, are set to participate jointly in the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival. The event is scheduled to take place from May 15 to May 17 at the BMW Park in Munich. The collaboration, operating under the name “Shevitsi from Mila Rodina,” marks the first joint appearance for the two organizations.
According to their leader, Ivandzhelin Ivanova, the partnership is motivated by a shared dedication to preserving and promoting Bulgarian culture abroad through dance. The performance repertoire will feature the dance “Shopska Zakachka” (“Shopi tease”), a piece choreographed by Iliya Petkov. This routine draws inspiration from traditional dances originating in the Shopluk folklore region, aiming to recreate the lively spirit and playful interactions characteristic of village gatherings.
The collective comprises 22 dancers whose ages range from 14 to over 60. A notable aspect of the group is that several members were born or raised in Germany but maintain deep connections to their Bulgarian heritage. Preparation for this joint venture has involved intensive rehearsals multiple times per week, alongside the creation of specialized costumes and accessories.
The travelling festival itself gathers amateur Bulgarian folklore ensembles from various locations abroad and has been a fixture in several European cities since its inception in 2015. This joint effort showcases the continued vitality of Bulgarian cultural expression through these dedicated local dance groups.
Topics: #dance #groups #essen
