The dance groups “Shevitsa” from Essen, Germany, and “Mila Rodina” from Krefeld, Germany, will perform together as “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 marks the first joint appearance for the two ensembles.
According to their leader, Ivandzhelin Ivanova, the collaboration is motivated by a mutual dedication to preserving and promoting Bulgarian folklore and culture internationally. The performance will feature the dance “Shopska Zakachka” (“Shopi tease”), which was choreographed by Iliya Petkov. This piece draws inspiration from traditional dances originating in the Shopluk folklore region, aiming to recreate the energetic atmosphere and playful exchanges characteristic of village celebrations.
The combined group comprises 22 dancers, with ages ranging from 14 to over 60. Several members of the performing groups were either born or raised in Germany but maintain strong ties to their Bulgarian heritage. Preparations for the festival have involved rigorous rehearsals multiple times weekly, alongside the creation of costumes and necessary accessories.
The travelling festival gathers amateur Bulgarian folklore ensembles from various countries and has been held in numerous European cities since its inception in 2015. The participation of these two established groups from Essen and Krefeld highlights the continued cultural exchange showcased at the event.
Topics: #dance #groups #essen
It will be exciting to see the two groups collaborate at the festival in Munich.