The Bulgarian dance groups “Shevitsa,” based in Essen, and “Mila Rodina” from Krefeld, are uniting for a joint performance at the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival. This event is scheduled to take place from May 15 to 17 at the BMW Park in Munich. The collaboration marks the first joint appearance between the two ensembles, driven by a shared commitment to preserving and promoting Bulgarian culture internationally, according to their leader, Ivandzhelin Ivanova.
The groups will perform the routine “Shopska Zakachka” (“Shopi tease”). This piece was choreographed by Iliya Petkov and is inspired by traditional dances originating from the Shopluk folklore region, aiming to recreate the lively spirit and playful interactions characteristic of village celebrations. The combined group comprises 22 dancers, representing a wide age range from 14 to over 60.
Several members of the troupe were either born or raised in Germany but maintain deep ties to their Bulgarian heritage. Preparation for this performance has involved intensive weekly rehearsals, alongside the meticulous creation of costumes and accessories. The traveling festival serves as a significant platform, gathering amateur Bulgarian folklore ensembles from various countries.
Since its inception in 2015, the event has been hosted in multiple European cities. This joint venture from the Essen and Krefeld based groups highlights the dedication of the community to keeping Bulgarian cultural traditions alive through the art of dance.
Topics: #dance #groups #essen
This sounds like a wonderful cultural collaboration to watch in Munich.