site.btaYouth Brass Orchestra with Majorettes from Velingrad to Perform as Special Guest in Munich

The Dimitar Mechev Representative Youth Brass Orchestra with Majorettes from Velingrad will participate as a special guest in the 11th Expats Join Hands in Worldwide Dance travelling festival, which will take place in Munich from May 15 to 17. The organizers of 2026’s festival edition Lazarka Ensemble shared more information about the orchestra, founded in 1965 by Dimitar Mechev:

"In 1978, at his initiative, the first majorette ensemble in Bulgaria was established, an idea innovative for its time that became a hallmark of the formation. Today, the orchestra is led by conductor Dimitar Lazarov and choreographer Bilyana Maslarova. The two continue the work of their teacher with respect for tradition and a fresh contemporary approach that attracts new generations of young performers. The orchestra has won dozens of awards from national and international festivals and has successfully performed in Germany, France, Italy, Czechia, Romania and Greece. With its rich repertoire of marches, jazz and popular music, the ensemble impresses with energy, precision and charm. Locals like to say that ‘every household in Velingrad has a musician or a majorette’ and this is not merely a joke, but part of the town’s living tradition... With every performance, the orchestra proves that tradition is not the past, but inspiration resonating in the present. It is no coincidence that it is called ‘The Emblem of Velingrad’, because wherever its music is heard, smiles, pride and applause follow."

Today, nearly 50 musicians and majorettes aged between 12 and 20 represent Velingrad at cultural forums in Bulgaria and abroad, the organizers also said.

On the occasion of its 60th anniversary in 2025, the ensemble also performed at Trocadero with the Eiffel Tower in the background. During the anniversary concert, the ensemble received recognition and awards from the Vice President of Bulgaria, the Ministry of Culture, the National Guards Unit and the Union of Bulgarian Musical and Dance Artists.

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.