It was a cultural explosion day: all about music and dance. We had lectures on music and dance, we sang and actually did some dancing, and then we topped off out night by going out to a restaurant that had live music, dancing, and ended with fire dancing!
The woman to the left is Daniela Ivanova, a lead scholar in Bulgarian Folk Dance and Music. She led our group in a two our "lecture" which included lots of singing and dancing. I was a little nervous though while we were dancing: I was standing between Paul and Mark at one point and both guys were kind of going in different directions as we were dancing around the circle and I was scared I would be squished! :) I learned several dances though...and how to "whoop" really well -- just like a traditional Bulgarian!
For dinner we went to a restaurant called Vodenitsata which had live music and dancing. The pictures to the left are of the dancers. The man in the mask was great. He came out and danced with bells on his waist. He then picked out three people of the "audience" to dance with him. He picked two in our group: Annie and Ralph! First Annie danced and shimmied her hips very well! Ralph was hilarious and such a great sport -- he has good dancing ability as well. I was impressed!
Finally the restaurant got really quite and the lights went out. Behind me had been a big bonfire that was now gone (the wood at least was gone). The ashes were still red hot. Two people: a man and woman came out and started spreading the hot ash all over the circular pit. Then the music started and the man brought out an icon of Jesus Christ. Julia (our Fulbright host here) told me that the pagans used to fire dance and now it is the very religious Christians who are able to concentrate and have this mystical power over their bodies. The man held the icon over his head and circled the pit several times. Then he and his partner held hands and began dancing on the fire.
At one point the man came over and picked up a woman in the audience and held her over the fire, which is what you see in this picture to the left. They both danced for about ten minutes and it was a very awe-some experience.
Greg and Brianna M-- Many Bulgarians know how to do this type of traditional dance and are very interested in music and art as well. There are actually special art high school especially for student artists. These cultural things are definitely hobbies the Bulgarians as a whole seen to have.
Lisett -- The traditional music is composed of drums, stringed instruments similar to a small guitar, and singing. The singing includes lots of "yips" from the women and is quite beautiful. But in the cars and on the streets we have heard lots of American Music. We were told at one of the schools yesterday that the students learn British English, but since they listen to American music, see American movies, etc. they always try to mimic the American accent instead! :)
It's late now: almost midnight, but I'm so glad we went out! It was quite fun :)
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