Today marks the culmination of the 15^th edition of the Verea festival which opened on 24 April. This year’s event brings together 30 dance ensembles and almost 600 participants from the US, Canada and Europe. Last year Europe was represented by one dance ensemble – the ensemble of the Banat Bulgarians from Vinga, Romania, while this year the ensemble is Dunav (Danube) from Dusseldorf, Germany.

The festival opened on Thursday with a screening of the documentary “Uneven soul” directed by Sofia Stoycheva, featuring people of different nationalities who have dedicated their time to their love of Bulgarian folklore. There was a dance workshop, headed by Miroslav Dimitrov, chief artistic director of ensemble Pirin, Blagoevgrad and choreographer Stoyan Mihov, BNR’s correspondent in Chicago Elena Tsaneva reports.

Besides the music and the dancing, the festival also included a traditional bazaar and delicious Bulgarian food.

Photos: Elena Tsaneva, Consulate General - Chicago