site.btaAuthentic Folklore Group Chilnovski Babi to Participate in Munich Festival

The authentic folklore group Chilnovski Babi from the village of Chilnov, Ruse Region, Bulgaria will participate in the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival, which will be held from May 15 to May 17 at BMW Park in Munich. 

"We will perform two songs, 'Libe le, libe hubavo' and 'Song for Bulgaria'," the group's artistic director Stefka Atanasova told BTA.

According to her, preparations for the festival are proceeding with enthusiasm and energy, as the ensemble recently marked the 40th anniversary of its establishment.

"We are beautiful grandmothers, we sing of love and youth, and bring joy to everyone! Age does not prevent us from travelling and enjoying ourselves, from glorifying our homeland with its age-old traditions and timeless virtues," Atanasova added.

She specified that the group includes women of different ethnic backgrounds, all from Bulgaria. The oldest participant is 83 years old, while the youngest are around 60.

Atanasova shared: "In the year 1986, in the month of March, in the midst of Dve Mogili Municipality, in the lovely and beautiful village of Chilnov, with God’s blessing, beautiful women gathered, still graceful and splendid. Fire burned in their hearts, Stefka stood at their head, speaking noble words with great love for all that is sacred and native... And thus a folk group was formed - to be known as Chilnovski Babi!"

"With love they all decided, through songs and customs, to glorify their homeland in villages and towns, in Bulgaria and abroad, for the glory of all that is Bulgarian and native, which we love, honour and cherish, and for which we sing... And so... for 40 years!" she said.

The travelling festival Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance is organized by and for amateur folklore ensembles performing outside Bulgaria. The initiative was launched by the Ot Izvora group in Lyon, France, which hosted both the first edition in 2015 and the tenth edition in 2025. More than 100 dance ensembles and over 4,000 guests are expected at the 11th edition in Munich in May. The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is the official media partner of the event and will present all participants.