Four Times “Contra”: The Soviet, American, Democratic, and Emigrant Models of Dancing the Bulgarian Way

Authors

  • Gergana Panova-Tekath Institute for Art Studies, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria, and Folkwang University of Arts, Schlossstr. 132, D – 45355 Essen

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3986/Traditio2020490204

Keywords:

urban folk dances, fluid nationality, intercultural communication, socialism, gentle protest, reflexive authenticity

Abstract

The urban interest in traditional Bulgarian dances constructed different communal realities in Bulgaria and abroad before and after 1989. The author discerns subtle protest in dancing the Bulgarian way and elaborates the meaning of this resistance in four contexts, whereby even the Soviet period is analyzed with great nuance. The phenomenon is defined as a reflexive expression of identity that allows fluid concepts of nationality. It persists as a survival strategy even during this pandemic.

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Published

30.12.2020

How to Cite

Panova-Tekath, G. (2020). Four Times “Contra”: The Soviet, American, Democratic, and Emigrant Models of Dancing the Bulgarian Way. Traditiones, 49(2), 65–84. https://doi.org/10.3986/Traditio2020490204