About Us

I have joined the traditional dancing group in 2017. I am very passionate about my Bulgarian culture and traditions. I want my daughter to understand what is to be Bulgarian and why I am so proud to say "I am Bulgarian”. Our dancing group “Bulgari” has given me and my daughter space where we feel like part of a family, a community where we support each other.  We share love, care, experience and knowledge about our roots. I love that moment when we are on stage and we are all so proud to represent our country and show our culture. Makes me so proud that my daughter loves it and now she understands more about who she is and what it means to be Bulgarian . 

None of us chooses where we are born and we believe that God has chosen exactly where we should belong.  The way I feel the Bulgarian folklore so close to my heart with its magic, reminds me of where my roots are, where I came from, the path I have travelled and which I keep on walking. When we all hold hands and play a Bulgarian dance, we pass on strength and hope to each other, and good thoughts, so that our tradition will survive in the future. I'm so happy and very proud that my son has the desire to learn, and dance Bulgarian folklore.

  My daughter and I joined Folk Group "Bulgari" in 2020 and since then we are part of this incredibly beautiful and original art, which the whole group is creating. Our colorful costumes, captivating music and songs, different rhythms and dances evoking a volcano of emotions not only in our hearts but in the audience at the international festivals where we participate . Proud with our roots, traditions and folklore we are always happy to share piece of this old and rich culture with people from other nationalities. 

My daughter and I are proud members of Folk Group "Bulgari", where we get to express our love for the spirit of the Bulgarian dance,  the rich Bulgarian culture and traditions. Being a part of this group has been an incredible journey for us, and we feel grateful for the opportunity to showcase the beauty of our country's heritage through music and performances. It's amazing how we are able to preserve and share our cultural roots even when we are miles away from home.  We've met some amazing people, too!

 When I was younger, I used to dance traditional Bulgarian dances and it was a huge part of my identity. Unfortunately, I had to stop in my twenties, and it felt like I had lost a part of myself. However, I was lucky enough to come across Folk Group "Bulgari", which has helped me regain my passion for Bulgarian traditions and dance. Even though I'm living far away from home, the group's members have become like a close-knit family to me, and I feel a sense of belonging that I have been missing for so long.

 Dorothy is one of the newest dance members, having joined in 2022. Australian born with a Bulgarian father and a Macedonian mother from northern Greece, Dorothy is in her happy place when she is with her dance associates whether at rehearsals or at performances. 

 It is very fulfilling for Dorothy to associate with men and women of her cultural heritage in our dance group. This has been missing from her adult life for a long time. Since the first time she saw the group perform, no words could describe at how impressed she was with not only our culture on display but the choreography, the unity and teamwork, the energy and happiness on their faces, the professionalism and high standard. She didn’t just hear the music and the words of the songs with her ears, she heard them with her heart and they resonated deep within her soul. She was taken away and knew that is what she wanted to be a part of and that is how she wants to express and showcase  her Bulgarian heritage.
 

 I am not Bulgarian, which may shock some of you reading about a Bulgarian folk dance group. I come from New Zealand, which is also where I met the Arabadjievi family before we all moved to Melbourne, Australia. Through them, and through dance, I fell in love with the Bulgarian culture, which I have found to embrace community and family like nothing I have ever seen before. Now, when I am in costume and someone asks me where I am from… I proudly say “Bulgaria”.

I joined Folk Group "Bulgari" in 2019 while I was helping in the organization of the First Bulgarian Folk festival in Melbourne. I love Bulgarian traditions and being part of this dancing group  is giving me enormous pleasure. As a performing group, we became part of the Australian multicultural live and at the same time we are keeping the connection with our roots and traditions. Thank you Sonya Arabadzhieva for establishing the group and for leading our team!!! 

  My wife Sonya Arabajieva has always had a passion for creating folk groups, and it's been amazing to see how her love for this art form has spread across different countries. From Bulgaria to New Zealand, and now in Australia, she has been able to bring together people from different backgrounds and cultures to share in the joy of folk music. Our entire family has become involved in these groups, and it's a big part of our daily lives. Folk Group ‘Bulgari” holds a special place in my heart. I've had the opportunity to travel with them, perform on stage, and support them in every way possible. Being a part of Folk Group “Bulgari” has allowed me to connect with others who share the same passion for music and culture, and I'm grateful for the experiences it has brought into my life.

 You can't choose your birthplace but you can choose where and how to live. I live 15,135 km away from Europe and call Australia home. And although I say "G'day", I'm proud to be Bulgarian who will always remember my roots and carry our traditions and culture in my heart. Dance group "Bulgari" is where the magic of folk happens. It intertwines our cultural heritage through the prism of music and talented choreography, producing beautiful footwork and horo chain dancing.  Wearing traditional costumes, we feel the rhythm and get carried away in the whirlwind of the dance, happy to share our rich cultural heritage with the audience. 

  Folk Group Bulgari has given me the opportunity to re-connect with my cultural heritage and show my daughter and son the beauty of the Bulgarian dance, music, and traditions.

Being part of Folk Group Bulgari provides me with a sense of community and belonging. Dancing with like-minded individuals who share a common interest in Bulgarian traditional dance. Working together as a team, learning choreography, and performing as a group has fostered lasting friendships. 

With Folk Group Bulgari we often have the chance to perform at local events, festivals, cultural celebrations, and even on national stages. These performances give us the opportunity to showcase our talent, share our passion for dance with others. It's a great way to promote Bulgarian culture, expand our social circle, and meet people from diverse backgrounds.

  For me, Bulgarian folk dances are like therapy that helps me deal with missing home, my country, and my loved ones. Dancing has helped me heal some deep-seated feelings and reduce sadness. I really want to leave a positive impact on the people who come after me, a path that leads them to Bulgaria and teaches them about our traditions and culture. This is my way of sending a message to future generations, hoping that they'll connect with it and learn more about our heritage. It's also my little way of giving back to Australia's diverse culture, showing my appreciation for all the opportunities I've had here and the amazing people who have taught me so much and believed in me.