presents
About us
The dance formation “Balkan Magic” was founded in 2007 as a logical continuation of Bulgarian experience and achievement in the sphere of show performances. At the basis of the formation underlies the idea of a fusion between the world-famous Bulgarian school of rhythmic gymnastics, on the one part, and the authentic Bulgarian folk dances, on the other.
Dancers representing Bulgaria on a number of international stages, as in Spain, Italy, Portugal, as well as at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall in London, have been drawn to the Project.
This is how “Thracian Legend”, the first so far show of the dance formation, was born.
In 2008 it was performed for the first time during an exceptionally successful tour in Italy. It was also crowned with a grandiose concert in Parma and was broadcast on the Italian National Television.
The original music of “Thracian Legend” was written by the renowned composer Georgi Andreev, musical director of the Bulgarian State Ensemble “Philip Kutev”. Composed for a big symphony orchestra, it consists of traditional Bulgarian folk instruments, such as kaval (reed-pipe), bagpipe, rebeck, etc.
Author of the male choreography is Ivaylo Ivanov, Philip Kutev’s chief choreographer, who has also done the choreography of some of the most successful Bulgarian show performances, such as “Two Worlds”, “The Bulgarian Legend”, “Wild Strawberries” and “Crossroad”.
Verzhinia Ilieva-Hristova has been invited to put up the female choreography. She is a famous Bulgarian gymnast, who aroused real furore as a coach of the National rhythmic gymnastics ensemble, which won the World Cup in 2006 and 2007.
The gracious performances of professional female gymnasts and the fiery rhythm of Bulgarian dances are interwoven in the show. All apparatuses, used in rhythmic gymnastics, can be seen on the stage, namely, ropes, hoops, ball, ribbons and clubs, which turn into instruments of live expressiveness in the hands of the female dancers. They are no longer mere sport apparatuses in the show, but carry a particular symbolism - thus, for instance, ribbons turn into snakes, the ball is the Moon, which the main character gives as a present to his beloved, clubs are the weapons of the fairies, etc. The recreation of the plot is complemented with the unique steps of the folk dancers.