Bulgarians from all over the world gather in Palma de Mallorca for the In the Town Square of the Other Bulgaria festival to dance the horo

79 folklore groups to perform, culminating on 12 May

published on 5/10/24 2:10 PM

Photo: Facebook/sabornmndb

Bulgarian folklore groups from 17 European countries have arrived in Palma de Mallorca to take part in a big horo chain dance, part of the In the Town Square of the Other Bulgaria festival. "We are looking forward to arriving, to meeting old colleagues and friends and to making new ones," write compatriots from Spain, Ireland, Italy, Great Britain, the Netherlands and elsewhere in anticipation of meeting "in the square of the other Bulgaria".

The hearts of the dancers from 79 groups will beat in unison when they join hands in the joyful horo dances that will swirl around the square in Palma de Mallorca, according to the "Bulgaria" dance group, directed by Stanimir Minchev, which is organising this year's traditional forum. The motto they have chosen is 'The multicoloured carpet'.

The concept of the festival is to be held every year in a different place, hosted by a different group, under a different motto. The event provides Bulgarian folklore groups outside the country a venue for dancing, meeting people and exchanging ideas. Thanks to this, each event turns out to be entirely unique and very emotional. Each of the groups that organise the festival adds to and updates it, thus leaving a piece of themselves in the DNA of the festival, the initiators say.

"The ninth edition of the gathering will be held on May 11 and 12, 2024 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. In previous years, the uneven Bulgarian beats have "shaken" squares in various cities in the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, Denmark and France" - explained Anita Ekenova, permanent coordinator of the gathering. She is also the head of the folklore troupe Ot izvora (From the fount) in the French city of Lyon, who started this festival tradition.

"No matter how many social networks there are, nothing can replace live contact between us - there is nothing more important than a hug, a smile, holding hands. This is the way to find like-minded people and move forward" - Anita Ekenova is convinced in an interview for Radio Bulgaria.

Anita Ekenova from Lyon: When you are dancing on stage, it is as if you are carrying the whole of Bulgaria with you

The festival programme includes a presentation by the Association of Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles Abroad, a fashion show of folk costumes, tailoring workshops, boutiques for pigskin mocassins and decorations, and a charity initiative to help deaf children in Bulgaria.

The culmination of 'In the town square of the other Bulgaria' will be a huge horo dance with all the participants on Sunday (12 May) at 10:00 in front of the cathedral in the De la Mar park in Palma de Mallorca.

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