site.btaBulgaria Stole My Heart: Denise Nedev's Story of Love, Tradition, and Belonging

Denise Nedev is an educator. During the school year, she teaches in a preschool group, and in the summer she serves as the lead teacher in a summer program that supports students from second to sixth grade. She is a wife and a mother of two daughters — Eleonora, who is 12 years old, and Lilyana, who is 9. Also, she is part of the oldest Bulgarian folk ensemble in the United States — the Pittsburg-based Otets Paisiy — which celebrated its 70th anniversary this year. But she is passionate about Bulgaria in more ways than the folk dance. "Never in a million years did I think I would feel so completely at home in a country so far from where I was born. But Bulgaria has captured my heart in a way I never expected. It truly is my home away from home, and I love it with all of my heart," she said in a BTA interview.

Denise and her Bulgarian husband, Nikolay, met through the Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational and Cultural Center (BMNECC) in Pittsburg and her daughters went to Bulgarian school there. Though not a native Bulgarian speaker, she’s an active member of Pittsburgh’s Bulgarian community and values the close-knit, supportive environment they’ve built.

She admires the regional diversity in Bulgarian folk dance, seeing each style as a window into the country’s cultural soul.

During her ensemble'с recent tour of Bulgaria, she visited several Bulgarian cities including Blagoevgrad, Sofia, and Nessebar, each leaving a lasting impression. Highlights included performing for local audiences, meeting the Bulgarian President, and sharing the experience with her children, especially on her daughter’s birthday, which was celebrated by President Radev himself.

In Bulgaria, her family have a family home near Veliko Tarnovo, which she calls "her favorite place in the world". Looking ahead, she and her husband could see them moving to Bulgaria one day.

Following is the full text of the interview:

You are part of the oldest Bulgarian folklore ensemble in the US, Otets Paisiy, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. When did you become a member of the ensemble?

I became a member of Otets Paisiy in 2017, but my connection to Bulgarian culture and the Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational and Cultural Center (BMNECC) goes back much further. I’ve been dancing Bulgarian folk dance and attending events at the BMNECC since I was 16 years old. Even earlier than that, I was involved with the Tamburitzans starting at the age of 5. In fact, Beth Stafura - who is now our managing director - was my instructor back then, and I’ve known her for over 30 years.

The BMNECC holds a special place in my heart - not just culturally, but personally. Nikolay and I actually had our first date there. We went to a reception after one of the Otets Paisiy shows, and we’ve been together ever since. Our daughters have attended the Bulgarian school at the center for the past nine years, and Nikolay served as the school’s director for five of those years. So being part of this ensemble and community is truly a family tradition and a meaningful part of our lives.

Where did your love for Bulgarian folk dances come from?

I’ve been dancing folk dances since I was 5 years old, and my love for Bulgarian folk dance started with my grandmother, who was my best friend. She passed on her love of tradition, music, and culture to me at a very young age. She loved to cook and sing with me in her kitchen. Even though they weren’t Bulgarian songs, they were Croatian or Slovak songs, we created a bond that I still cherish and carry in my heart to this day.  That love only grew stronger thanks to the incredible dance instructors I’ve had throughout the years, who taught me not just the steps, but the meaning and heart behind the dances.

What I find so captivating about Bulgarian folk dance is the incredible diversity between the different regions. Each area of Bulgaria has its own distinct style, rhythm, and character. For example, the Shopluk region is known for its fast-paced, energetic dances and intricate footwork, often performed in tight lines that show off the dancers’ synchronicity. The Pirin region offers more lyrical, flowing movements, often accompanied by haunting melodies that reflect the mountainous landscape. In contrast, the Thracian region is rich with smooth, graceful steps that showcase elegance and tradition, while Dobrudzha features strong, grounded movements that feel deeply rooted in the earth.

Each time I learn a new dance, I feel like I’m stepping into a different part of Bulgaria’s soul. Whether it’s the power of a Shopska rachenitsa or the gentle sway of a Rodopi horo, every region tells a story through its movements and music. That’s what makes Bulgarian dance so beautiful to me - it’s not just about performing; it’s about honouring a deep and vibrant cultural heritage that continues to live on through every step.

What do you know about Bulgaria, and is there something that attracts you the most to our country?

I’ve been to Bulgaria more than ten times - and twice just this year! It has truly become my second home. We have a family house in the mountains near Veliko Tarnovo, and I can honestly say it’s my favorite place in the entire world - and we’ve traveled a lot! There’s something magical about it. It’s a little slice of paradise, surrounded by nature, peace, and tradition.

One of my favorite things to do when we’re there is to spend the day exploring the nearby towns—shopping at local markets, enjoying the beautiful architecture, and soaking in the culture. But the best part is the evenings, when we gather around the table with our family, sharing food, laughter, stories, and simply being together. Those moments are everything.

What draws me most to Bulgaria is the deep sense of family and belonging. Never in a million years did I think I would feel so completely at home in a country so far from where I was born. But Bulgaria has captured my heart in a way I never expected. It truly is my home away from home, and I love it with all of my heart.

Your husband is Bulgarian. Do you interact with other Bulgarians besides him and the other members of the “Otets Paisiy” ensemble?

Yes, absolutely! In addition to my husband and the members of the Otets Paisiy ensemble, I’m also an active member of the Bulgarian community here in Pittsburgh. I proudly serve on the school committee of the Bulgarian school - even though I’m the only non-Bulgarian speaker on the team! While I don’t speak the language fluently, I do my best, and I understand far more than I can speak. Everyone has been so supportive, and over the years, I’ve really come to feel like part of the family.

Our Bulgarian community here may be small, but it’s truly mighty. I’m so proud of what we’ve built together. The school is such an important part of that - it gives children and families the opportunity to stay connected to their heritage, language, and traditions. Our daughters have grown up surrounded by friends who not only share their background, but who encourage each other to speak Bulgarian and embrace their culture.

I genuinely love the little village we’ve created here in Pittsburgh. And the recent tour we took through Bulgaria only deepened that connection. It brought us even closer, and it reminded all of us just how meaningful this community truly is.

You were in Bulgaria during the dance group’s tour. Which places did you visit and what impressed you the most?

Honestly, every place we visited during the tour was amazing in its own unique way, and each performance held a special meaning for me.

In Blagoevgrad, we had the honor of staying at the American University, and I can’t say enough about how kind and accommodating everyone there was. It was such a welcoming environment and truly helped us start our tour off on the right foot. The concert in Blagoevgrad was especially meaningful because it’s Bilyana Stafura’s hometown. Watching her light up on stage, surrounded by friends and family, was incredibly special - and for many of us, it was our very first time performing in Bulgaria, which made it even more emotional.

We also had the chance to visit the Rila Monastery, which was absolutely breathtaking. We lit candles for our loved ones, took time to walk the grounds, and just soaked in the peacefulness and beauty of the place. Being surrounded by nature and history in such a spiritual setting was unforgettable.

Our concert in Sofia was full of excitement and energy. We performed our Shop dance alongside two other ensembles, which made the choreography more complex and a bit chaotic, but also thrilling. One of my favorite moments came at the end of the show, when everyone joined together on stage to sing. That moment of unity and joy was incredibly moving - it was the perfect way to end the performance.

But the most unforgettable experience was our final concert in Nessebar. Not only is it one of the most picturesque places in Bulgaria, but we were also joined by President Rumen Radev and First Lady Desislava Radeva. Having them attend the performance was an enormous honor—but even more so, they presented our group with a special award, which left us speechless.

That night was made even more magical because it was Lilyana’s birthday. And to top it all off, President Radev personally wished her a happy birthday - I’m really not sure how we’ll ever top that birthday! It made the day incredibly special for her. He also went up to our older daughter, Elenora, and told her that she was an amazing dancer. She is still telling anyone who will listen, and his kind words meant the world to both of our girls. Those moments will stay with them forever.

For me, that night  standing on stage with my children, helping the little ones backstage, fixing costumes, keeping track of cues—was one of the proudest and most emotional moments of my life. Every concert we performed was a labor of love, each with its own energy and story, but all filled with excitement, pride, and deep gratitude.

Would you consider moving to live here, in Bulgaria?

Yes, absolutely - Nikolay and I often talk about moving to Bulgaria when we retire, so it’s definitely been a topic of serious discussion. In many ways, I already consider Bulgaria my home. Every time we visit, I feel an even deeper connection to the country—its culture, its traditions, and especially our family there.

Bulgaria is truly one of the most beautiful countries I’ve ever been to. From the breathtaking mountains and historic towns to the seaside views and charming villages, every corner has its own unique magic. But what makes it even more special is the kindness of the people. There’s warmth, hospitality, and generosity that you feel immediately. The sense of community, the pride in culture, and the genuine way people welcome you in—it’s something truly rare.

Each time we visit, it becomes harder to leave. I always feel like I leave a little piece of my heart behind. So yes, I could absolutely see us living in Bulgaria one day. It would feel like coming home.