The dance groups “Shevitsa” from Essen, Germany, and “Mila Rodina” from Krefeld, Germany, will perform jointly 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 stems from a shared dedication to preserving and promoting Bulgarian culture abroad through dance. The performance will feature the dance “Shopska Zakachka” (“Shopi tease”), choreographed by Iliya Petkov. This routine draws inspiration from traditional dances of the Shopluk folklore region, aiming to recreate the lively atmosphere and playful interactions characteristic of village gatherings.
The combined group comprises 22 dancers, with ages ranging from 14 to over 60. Several members of the group were born or raised in Germany but maintain deep connections to their Bulgarian heritage. Preparations for the festival have involved intensive rehearsals multiple times per week, alongside the creation of specialized costumes and accessories.
The travelling festival gathers amateur Bulgarian folklore ensembles from various locations across the globe. Since its inception in 2015, the event has been hosted in numerous European cities, providing a platform for cultural exchange through dance.
Topics: #dance #groups #essen
I look forward to seeing the two groups perform together at the festival in Munich.
What is the significance of the joint performance for the two respective dance groups?