Zelenika Club for Traditional Folk Dances

Zelenika Club for Traditional Folk Dances and Games was founded on May 2, 2022. Zelenika is one of the few clubs in Bulgaria dedicated to preserving traditional Bulgarian dances exactly as they were passed down by our ancestors. Drawing knowledge from archives and folk tradition bearers, the club presents forgotten dance forms from Bulgaria’s rich folk dance heritage.

Affiliated with the club is a newly established Children’s Dance School, which follows principles of holistic physical development, the study of authentic regional dance styles, and high-quality stage performance.

The founder of Zelenika Club for Traditional Folk Dances and Games is Yani Angelov. He graduated as a professional Bulgarian folk dancer from the National School of Folk Arts “Filip Kutev” in Kotel in 2017, and in 2021 completed his studies as a choreographer-pedagogue at the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts “Prof. Asen Diamandiev” in Plovdiv, earning a Master’s degree in Art Management. To this day, he works as a dance performer with the Professional Folk Ensemble “Strandzha” in Burgas, teaches his specialty, and serves as a guest choreographer for dance productions in various dance ensembles across the country.

Beyond being a place for learning dances, Zelenika is a space for building a community of people who share a love for Bulgarian traditions. Participants have the opportunity to take part in festive and cultural events, festivals, and local celebrations, thereby not only developing their skills but also promoting Bulgarian dance heritage to a wider audience. This creates a unique atmosphere of mutual learning, respect, and creative inspiration.

Rehearsals for the adult group take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday at 7:00 PM, while the children’s group rehearses on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM, at the Youth International Center – Burgas.

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