site.btaBulgarian Folklore Group Kanatitsa Based in Eindhoven to Dance at Munich Gathering in May

The Bulgarian folklore group Kanatitsa based in Eindhoven will perform an original dance at the 11th Na Megdana na Drugata Bulgaria travelling gathering, which will take place in Munich from May 15 to 17. The dance was inspired by the Thracian Folklore Region, the head of Kanatitsa, Vasilena Stoykova, told BTA.

Stoykova shared: "For us, as young folk-dance enthusiasts with no prior experience in choreography, it was a real challenge to create the dance entirely on our own. In the process, we learned a lot about the structure of stage production and the hard work that goes into it."

The group chose the Thracian region specifically because it brings a special grace, softness, and emotional depth to the movements. Stoykova added: "The dances are more fluid and expressive, and they allow for artistic interpretation, which suits our ensemble very well, since the majority of the group are women. This allowed us to create choreography that highlights the tenderness, beauty, and finesse of Bulgarian folklore."

The music for the dance is a combination of three pieces by the Trakia Folk Ensemble and the Philip Koutev Ensemble. "We chose this music because it embodies the distinctive spirit of Thrace—it combines emotion, rhythm, and melody, which inspired us to create a choreography that tells a story and creates a strong stage presence," Stoykova said.

The message that the Kanatitsa folk group wants to convey to the audience is that Bulgarian folklore is alive, no matter where the Bulgarian diaspora is based. The head of Kanatitsa said: "Through dance, we want to show that traditions can be preserved and developed even beyond Bulgaria’s borders when there is desire, love, and community." When she established the group in 2022, she could not imagine that it would grow as fast. She described its members as a family united by its love for Bulgarian folklore.

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.