The RitmiKKa folk dance troupe from Hamburg, Germany, is scheduled to perform at the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival, taking place in Munich from May 15 to 17. Kamen Kunev, the headmaster and choreographer of the troupe, stated that their performance will feature a dance created approximately 60 years ago by choreographer Zahari Andreev, a graduate of his own. Kunev emphasized the importance of preserving the work of past performing arts legends, stating that such dances remain vibrant and require support.
According to Kunev, the choreography evokes the spirit of a village square where people gather to dance together. He noted that historically, after working in the fields, people would assemble around a village fire for music, songs, and dance. Participating in the festival with this choreography, he explained, aims to demonstrate that unity through dance persists even when members are abroad.
Kunev added that the culture of Bulgaria remains present wherever Bulgarians reside. The troupe will debut in brand new costumes, designed specifically for the festival by fashion designer Nikolay Kolev. Preparations for the dance required an entire season of intensive rehearsals, with every detail being repeated numerous times.
The Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival is organized for amateur folk ensembles performing outside of Bulgaria. The initiative was first launched by the Ot Izvora group in Lyon, France, which hosted the inaugural edition in 2015 and the tenth edition in 2025. The 11th edition in Munich anticipates participation from over 100 dance ensembles and an attendance of more than 4,000 guests.
The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) serves as the official media partner for the event.
Topics: #dance #troupe #folk
Sounds like a wonderful cultural event to look forward to in Munich.
What specific styles of folk dance will the RitmiKKa troupe showcase at the Munich festival?