21 Bulgarian folklore ensembles from 8 countries gather for a festival in Burgas

Bulgarian folklore dance troupes abroad are the "beating heart" of Bulgarian communities around the world. From September 18 to 20, it will "beat like crazy" in Burgas during the second festival of folklore ensembles from abroad. The initiative is of the Association of Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles Abroad (ABFEA) and is a continuation of the first edition of the festival, which was hosted in Veliko Tarnovo in 2025.

21 groups from 8 countries will dance by the sea as part of the event called "Burgas Brings Us Together". Performing in front of a domestic audience brings great excitement and respect for the amateur dancers, Radoslava Nedyalkova, chairwoman of the Association, but also creator of the ensemble "Nashenci" in Milan, told Radio Bulgaria. The idea for this festival in Bulgaria was given impetus by the event „Na Megdana na Drugata Bulgaria" (On the Village Square of the Other Bulgaria) known throughout Europe, which for 11 years has been gathering thousands of Bulgarians from all over the world in a dizzying folklore experience in the central squares of some of the major European cities.

"For us, the whole organization is very exciting. The Association of Bulgarian Folklore Ensembles Abroad has the idea to invite Bulgarian folklore ensembles that perform abroad to show their passion for dance on Bulgarian soil. And I have to tell you that it happened in a very difficult way, because the groups feel an incredible respect for their homeland and for folklore in general. But, thank God, this year we gathered enough participants and we will be able to hold three festival evenings - on September 18, 19 and 20."

Nostalgia as a powerful engine

Life abroad gives rise to nostalgia and folklore fills the void and unites our compatriots.

The Association has over 60 Bulgarian dance troupes – from Europe and beyond. According to Radoslava Nedyalkova, there are already over 200 Bulgarian dance troupes in America and there are probably as many in Europe. The interest in Bulgarian dance is there and many of the dancers are not Bulgarians. However, the challenges facing these groups are not few – from finding a suitable rehearsal space to purchasing folk costumes and music. However, this does not dampen their enthusiasm:

"We we have no state funding. These are exclusively personal funds of the leader, of the people who are members of these groups. In addition, we are all amateurs – this requires time for preparation, it requires the right choreographer who knows how to teach people."

The rhythm and energy of Bulgarian folklore have the power to create a community

2026 is a special year – it marks 10 years since the establishment of the Association of Folklore Ensembles Abroad. This will be specially celebrated during the Fifth Creative Seminar, which the Association traditionally organizes in the second week of November in Sofia. The task of these workshops of the ensemble leaders is to contribute to the preservation of authentic Bulgarian folklore abroad, with the thematic emphasis now placed on the Shoppe folklore region of Bulgaria.

The program of the festival in Burgas

The three-day celebration "Burgas brings us together" starts on September 18 with an opening at the Summer Theater. On September 19, a one-hour horo dance will be performed at "Sts. Cyril and Methodius" Square, from which we will also expect impressive footage filmed from a bird's eye view with a drone. On September 20, a colorful parade of participating groups in folklore costumes is planned, which will start from the Municipality and reach the Summer Theater for the gala concert. "There will also be two children's groups from Bulgarian schools who wanted to dance at this festival. When there are children on stage, the emotion is even greater, so please come and watch us!", says Radoslava Nedyalkova in conclusion.

See also:

Online catalogue of Bulgarian folk dances "sets off" on a European tour

MilenMitev: Radio Bulgaria is the natural partner of the Bulgarian schoolsand folklore ensembles abroad