Bulgarian folk dances in the spotlight

Since ancient times, when a celebration approached, our ancestors used to flock to the village square and everyone joined in the communal chain dance (known in Bulgarian as “horo”) where the combined energy and magic of traditional Bulgarian music could be experienced. In recent years, the interest in Bulgarian folk rhythms has been on the rise with an unprecedented force. Within the past 5 years only, the number of clubs offering lessons in traditional folk dances has exceeded 60 in the capital Sofia alone.

Quite recently, the fans of Bulgarian folk dances also obtained their own meeting dance hall. It is the so-called Club of Horo Dances which is located in the heart of the capital, near the National Palace of Culture. Thus, the exuberant joy of dancing was brought right onto the dance floor under the flashing colored spotlights. And curiously enough, the club is open 24/7. So at any time of day, everyone tempted by the magic of the folk dances can go there and dance, or just have a drink in the company of friends to the lovely background of Bulgarian folk music.

It is very unusual, yet pleasant, to see young people dressed in jeans and t-shirts, who play Bulgarian folk dances. One feels that the Bulgarian spirit is being reborn and this gives hope, Borislav Slavov says with a smile. He and Kostadin Gospodinov, founder of one of the first and largest schools of amateur folk dance Chanove, are the people who made the emergence of this new dance club possible. All those passionate lovers of Bulgarian folklore who study the intricacies of dancing in the various clubs in Sofia did not have their own dance hall where they could show their skills, this is how Borislav Slavov described the need for the emergence of this new place.

This is just one of many ideas and initiatives of the two enthusiasts related to Bulgarian folk dances. A few years ago, they released a CD and DVD with the first tutorial in Bulgarian folk dances most often characterized by their asymetrical beats. Using this CD, everyone can learn 40 of the most popular Bulgarian folk dances. The interest in the tutorial is really great, not only among Bulgarians, but also among our compatriots abroad and among foreigners from different countries. That is why the tutorial has language versions in Bulgarian, English, French and Japanese. The new edition, which will include 20 more dances, will be translated in Dutch as well, because it turns out that the Bulgarian dances have many fans in the Netherlands.

In 2007, Borislav created a special website dedicated to Bulgarian horo dances – www.horo.bg. And while Kostadin is a professional dancer and has been doing this all his life, Borislav is just an amateur. In recent years though, his life revolves around dance and all his ideas are related to it.

"I generally do something completely different. I graduated in electronics in Poland and I have my own company in the field of electronics. My passion for dancing started quite by accident. But obviously it was something waiting to be rediscovered inside me. For 15 years, my family has had a house in a village near Sofia, and traditionally twice a year, folk festivals are organized there with lots of music and dancing. I watched the locals dance there and was drawn to this. So I looked for information on the Internet and thus I came across the Chanove club and began attending their classes. Gradually, I learnt 50 folk dances and I was terribly pleased. Since then, every time I listen to Bulgarian folk music, I feel exhilarated. This is how I started dancing and how I met Kostadin and his wife Milena. We started to share some ideas and I cannot tolerate a good idea to remain unrealized."

A true fan of Bulgarian folk dancing is also our colleague, journalist Veneta Nikolova. She has been dancing since she was a student at Sofia University and she has traveled with the folk ensemble for many concerts abroad. Yet, her love for Bulgarian folk rhythms has been rekindled nowл

"Bulgarian dances are played not only with the feet, but also with the soul. This is a spiritual experience because it lies deep within us. Dance is encoded in ancient man and all humans possess the need to express themselves through movement, music, and beauty. Bulgarian national dances are not like rap or reggae dance in the disco clubs. This is a very special experience as we are influeced by the thought that our ancestors played to the same rhythms and made the same movements, expressing both their joy and sorrow. They communicated with each other with the same complex movements that we now perform in the hot stuffy gym or folk dance club. It enriches us because we take a look back to our roots and establish a communication with our past. We witness a very interesting contrast today when young people dressed in modern clothes gather in the folk dance nightclub that does not differ in any aspect from the other disco clubs. That's an incredible experience. At some point, you have the feeling that you are no longer touching the ground, but you feel as if you are soaring above, over life, over all that reality surrounding us. Bulgarian folk dances and music are a kind of island in our busy routine, in this confused world we live in."

The resurrected interest in Bulgarian dances is not a fleeting fashion but a strong conscious need, Borislav believes.

"The Bulgarian dances are a source of positive energy. You might get physically tired, but you are spiritually enriched. There are many hidden assets in Bulgarian folk dances and this is one of the advantages to being a Bulgarian. Even foreigners feel their power and develop an understanding of their spiritual depth. A few weeks ago, a middle-aged foreigner came to the club, a Dutchman married to a Bulgarian and living in Bulgaria. He was an exquisite dancer of the Bulgarian chain dances”, says Borislav Slavov, one of the founders of the first disco club with folk music recently opened in Sofia.

Translated by Rossitsa Petcova
Photos: provided by "Na Horoto" chain dance club

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Bulgarian folk dances in the spotlight

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