The dance groups “Shevitsa,” based in Essen, and “Mila Rodina” from Krefeld, Germany, will collaborate for their first joint performance at 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 partnership unites the two ensembles under the name “Shevitsi from Mila Rodina.” According to the groups’ leader, Ivandzhelin Ivanova, this collaboration is motivated by a shared dedication to preserving and promoting Bulgarian folklore culture internationally.
The performance repertoire will feature the dance “Shopska Zakachka” (“Shopi tease”). This routine was choreographed by Iliya Petkov and draws inspiration from traditional dances originating in the Shopluk folklore region, aiming to recreate the spirited and playful atmosphere characteristic of village celebrations. The combined group comprises 22 dancers, with ages ranging from 14 to over 60.
Several members of the participating groups were either born or raised in Germany but maintain strong ties to their Bulgarian heritage. Preparation for this joint effort has involved rigorous weekly rehearsals, alongside the creation of specialized costumes and accessories. This traveling festival serves as a gathering point for amateur Bulgarian folklore ensembles from around the world, having been held in various European cities since its inception in 2015.
The collaboration between these two notable dance groups highlights the commitment to cultural exchange through traditional performance art.
Topics: #dance #groups #essen
