Elementor #11358

In the beginning week of volunteering I found out that the folklore tradition in bulgaria is very strong and I searched for

a way to experience it a little. There were so so many things I reflected on during the festival participation and I got hugely inspired. To write down everything here would be way too much 😀

In Germany there is not really the collective practice of living traditions and folklore. I think this is the reason why many citizens are going into the extreme of wanting to have a secluded country without influences from other countries. I do miss it too, the connection to land, a sense belonging, cultural expression beyond the individual and beyond modernity. But I honestly think we can not get that back in the literal way and maybe we shouldn’t try. Diversity and different backgrounds are a beautiful reality that is the result of history and so many accomplishments. At the same time I feel grief, about a loss. So my research question is, how can we cultivate practices that fulfill similar purposes, like traditional dances?

Important is the collectivity. To not be alone with your life, but to dance the same steps together. To move emotions and life circumstances together. The rhythm creates the group feeling. Then there are the archetypal structures, like the circle and the meeting of female and male. The movements are not to complicated so everybody can take part. The repetitive movements containing the possibility for ecstatic states, and being held by something bigger. I guess there is more, which I do not see. But like this we can move our own and the collective challenges and not feel alone while doing so. Expressing through Art is healing and in Germany as well many people create and make art, often with the sense of showing the individuality. In contrast, the collective aspect beyond status or social group is missing, which I believe to be deep medicine that we really need. In my fantasy people with different backgrounds can find their Position in this collective dance, represent themselves (like countries with embroidery), be honored and honering others, while at the same time being in service of the bigger group of the love for belonging together.

The festival was in Dorkovo and I stayed at Batak, by a lake. So I connected the experience with some time by the water and a visit to a fortress. I witnessed wild horses and cows and am amazed by the Bulgarian nature.