Adult Dance Group Bulgari
We share a great passion and love for Bulgarian Folklore!
To help reach our goals, we have formed and will continue to establish partnership agreements with different public and private entities. We have interacted with organizations such as the Greek Orthodox Church „St George“, Ethnic Dance Theater, Tapestry Folk Dance Center, Minneapolis Public Library, the Roseville Library, Festival of Nations, International Children’s Festival, Balkanicus Institute for Balkan Art, Culture and History, and the Minneapolis Film Association.
The Bulgarian Adults Dance Group “Bulgari” was formed in September 2013 from a group of people with different backgrounds, but one common goal – a great passion and love for Bulgarian folklore.
Our mission is to create an environment where anyone who enjoys Bulgarian folklore music and dance can join, have fun dancing, and feel a part of our big family. We want to preserve the rich Bulgarian culture and traditions, introduce it to our children, and never forget where our roots are. This common passion not only help us unite the Bulgarian community in Twin Cities, but also anyone with special interests in Bulgarian culture and traditions.
Along with all the performances and participation in dance and music festivals and events, we try to educate people and create community through the experience of Bulgarian folklore. Bulgari’s rehearsals and workshops include selections of the rich dance styles from all regions of Bulgaria. Our group has been exposed to different levels of difficulty and training to learn the particular dance styles, techniques, and rhythms of individual ethnographic regions of Bulgaria.
Beginner Level Folk Dance Class
Our Beginner level class is designed to introduce newcomers to the vibrant and rich traditions of Bulgarian culture through dance. This class focuses on teaching the fundamental steps and movements that form the basis of various Bulgarian folk dances. Participants will learn basic rhythms, footwork patterns, and hand placements that are characteristic of this dance style. The Beginner level class is perfect for those with little to no dance experience and provides a welcoming and supportive environment for ages 15 to 105 to explore and enjoy Bulgarian folk dance.
Advanced Level Folk Dance Class
This Advanced level Bulgarian folk dance class is tailored for dancers with a solid foundation in the basic steps and rhythms of Bulgarian folk dance. The class delves deeper into complex footwork, intricate patterns, and stylistic nuances unique to various regions of Bulgaria. Advanced dancers have the opportunity to refine their technique, learn challenging choreographies, and enhance their performance skills. Additionally, advanced level dancers can showcase their talents by performing at various events and festivals throughout the year, including Festival Verea in Chicago, the Landmark Center in St. Paul, and other cultural celebrations.
Rehearsal information:
Time:
Location:
Pricing Information:
- 1 dancer per family: $100 per school year*
- 2 dancers per family: $160 per school year*
- 3 or more dancers per family: $180 per school year*
*The school year runs from September to May.
* Pricing for both Beginner and Advanced level is the same.
* Once signed up for a class (Beginner or Advanced), dancers can attend the second class for free.
You can make a payment in a few different ways:
* Electronically – by using PayPal or Zelle.
* Check or money order payable to Bulgarian School of Minnesota – “Saints Cyril and Methodius”
* Give check, money order or cash to Elena Momtcheva.
Payments will be collected on the first day of class.
Our country
Bulgaria is a small country, located on the Balkan Peninsula in southeastern Europe. Bulgaria is famous for its wonderful folk music that is so noteworthy that it was sent into space by NASA. The most exciting folklore festivals in Bulgaria are those in Koprivshtitza, Rozhen and Predela. Through the music, singing and dancing you will touch the unique Bulgarian folklore art. Bulgaria is divided into (at least) seven ethnic regions: Northern (Severnjasko), Dobrudzha, Trakija (Thrace), Rodopi (Rhodope mountains), Shopluk (Šop), Pirin (Bulgarian Macedonia), and Strandzha. Each region has its own distinctive style of dance, to the extent that a knowledgeable observer can often tell which region a group of Bulgarians comes from by how they perform a popular dance like the pravo. In addition, due to the intricate ethnic mix in the Balkans, each locality and even each village may have its own variation of a dance, different enough that it amounts to a distinct dance.
Our costumes
The traditional dresses for women in Bulgaria include dvuprestilchena (costume with two aprons), sukmanena (dress /gown type), sayana (saya – a dress with a slash in front), and ednoprestilchena (a single-apron costume). In the past, these traditional costumes were entirely home-made prepared with lots of hard work and awesome designs. The traditional men clothing in Bulgaria were “white” and “black” costumes. The “white” male clothing consists of a chemise, gashti, benevretsi, dimii (tight or looser breeches, pants), poyas (wide girdle), belt and top clothes made of white home-spun fulled freeze. Upper garments modify the silhouette of the costume, whereas its decoration performs linear embroidered patterns and gaytani (colored woolen bands/braids) on the bosom and the chest, on the sleeves and the leggings. Very impressive samples are kept from Belogradchik, Trân, Lom, Botevgrad, Vratsa and Nikopol regions. The “black” men dress consists of a chemise, poturi (loose trousers), girdle, belt and a top garment: elek, dzhamadan (vest), anteriya (jacket with sleeves) made of black woolen frieze. The poturi are loose with a rich decoration of black braids. Most impressive are the collections from the Sliven, Yambol, Silistra and Smolyan regions.