Elissaveta Iordanova established ELEA GORANA DANCE COLLECTIVE more than 17 years ago with the mission to preserve Bulgarian folk heritage and to present its beauty through dance, music, rituals and unique costumes. EGDC's goal is to be a cultural ambassador of Bulgaria in the US.
Algara Folk Dance Group is a Bulgarian folk dance collective founded in 2018 by Galina Saharova and a group of enthusiastic Bulgarian women living in New Jersey. The group's goal is to present their appreciation of Bulgarian folk traditions to larger audiences.
This dance narrative depicts two people who love each other and commit to their relationship before witnesses. This dance is from the repertoire of the National Ensemble of Bulgaria "Pirin".
Choreography by Kiril Haralampiev.
This dance represents the day when unmarried girls show up with flowers to be given to their propsective man of interest.
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
A dance from the Thracian region performed by father and son (Chavdar and Evgeni).
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
This dance is from the repertoire of the National Ensemble of Bulgaria "Filip Koutev". It shows the moments of the "lazaruvane" ritual, which is a pagan ceremony for nature's rebirth and regeneration in the spring.
Choreography by Margarita Dikova.
This dance intepretation is based on the "Shira" circle dance from the Danube river region.
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
A piece performed on the tupan (drum).
This dance captures the ancient ritual of "nestinarstvo", where fire dancers known as "nestinari" walk and dance on live embers. It originates from Thracian sun worship asking the Sun God for health, prosperity and fertility in the new year.
Choreography by Galina Saharova.
This dance depicts a pagan ritual of the same name. In Bulgaria, women who were believe to have special powers were asked the bring the fullness of the moon down onto the crop field for a rich harvest. Historically, moon rituals were aligned with planting and harvesting cycles to ensure that crops were sown and reapred at optimal times. The moon is viewed as a rhythmic life of the cosmos and is believed to govern all vital change.
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
This dance is from Sadovo in the Thracian region. "Krivo" means "crooked" and refers to the uneven meter of the dance. Gorana Dance's version is expanded with intricate steps.
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
This is a social dance from the Pazardzhik province in central Bulgaria. It is in 15/16 meter. Gorana Dance's composition represents a ritual that names the queen of roses.
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
This dance is from the Dobrudga region and embodies the work done in the field, such as growing, ripening and sowing of the wheat harvest.
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
A piece performed on the tupan (drum).
This dance belongs belongs to the category of modern, choreographed folk dances, which is popular among the Bulgarian diaspora.
Choreography by Galina Saharova.
This dance showcases movements and accents that are directed upwards, with a pronounced desire to detach from the ground.
Choreography by Galina Saharova.
This dance depicts a Bulgarian custom at midsummer, called Enyov's Day, when girls go out in the fields to gather herbs. The popular belief is that herbs have the greatest healing power in midsummer. The girls collect flowers, twist them into wreaths, and carry them home.
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
This dance invokes youthfulness, fun emotions, and a touch of humor.
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
This is a duet dance to a well-known folk song.
This dance is one variation of the several that are done as a St. Lazarus Day tradition.
Choreography by Galina Saharova.
With its uneven beat, this dance is one of the most beloved dances among Bulgarians.
Choreography by Galina Saharova.
Bulgaria is famous for the many uneven beats in its folk dances. Yovino is one of them and has two uneven beats that define the dance phrasing: 7/16 and 11/16. You can recognize two strong beats on the 1 count and 6 count among the 8 counts in total (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8).
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
This dance is one of the most famous folk dances in Bulgaria. It has a tempo that almost encourages a dance-off between its dancers. It involves a waving of the hands (ruce) which is what gives the dance its name.
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.
This dance is part of a ritual on Lazarus Day. Lazarus is a symbol of health and longevity. Lazarus Day is celebrated on the eight day before Orthodox Easter (Velikden) and is always on a Saturday. On this day, the "lazaruvane" custom is performed by young girls called "lazarki". They go from house to house where they dance, perform rituals, cleanse with their handkerchieves, and offer blessings for health, happiness and prosperity. In the past, it was believed that girls who did not partake in the custom would not get married. It was therefore necessary for every girl in a village to partake in the custom at least once in her maidenhood.
Choreography by Elissaveta Iordanova.