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'The Rhythm of Time' - 30 years of the Choreography major at Varna Free University
17 June 2025
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The Department of Choreography at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar” will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a solemn concert-performance called 'The Rhythm of Time' on June 19th at 6:30 p.m. in Hall 1 of the Festival and Congress Center – Varna. The stage will be filled with the energy of the young choreographers, who will present their brightest creative projects and stage achievements.
The event is the culmination of the celebrations dedicated to the anniversary. They began with two annual concerts, including 24 choreographic works created and realized by the students. “We work in complete symbiosis – lecturers and students. The graduates from the department are present at all significant cultural events in Varna and the region, and the stage is the space in which we preserve and develop Bulgarian dance folklore,” emphasizes Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivaylo Ivanov, Director of the University’s Artistic and Creative Activities.
Over 92% of graduates from the specialty are successfully realized – as dancers, directors of ensembles, teachers and choreographers. The Academic Dance Theater, which functions as a kind of creative laboratory, provides students with the opportunity to combine stage practice with training in directing, composition and dance pedagogy – with an eye both to the future and to the living tradition.
The gala evening will be opened with 'Kamchiyski Dances' – an emblematic work choreographed by Prof. Petar Angelov. In honour of his 80th anniversary and his role as a fundamental figure in the creation of the major in 1995, he will be honoured in a special way by the academic community – a sign of recognition for his long-standing teaching work and contribution to dance education in our country.
The audience will have the opportunity to see 20 choreographic works presented by students, graduates and lecturers. Special guests are the National High School of Humanities And Arts Konstantin Preslavski - Varna and the ensemble "Bulgarians". The programme includes folk dances and contemporary and conceptual performances. Among them, diploma works such as 'Chumitsa' by Mila Todorova - inspired by Bulgarian literature - and 'Medenik Games' by Vyara Georgieva - a dance interpretation combining folklore imagery with humorous elements.
Participation in the show "Znanie.bg" on BNT
"I discovered my calling in folk dances. The major discovered me back in my school years," says Mila Dianova. "I realized that I couldn't do without dance," adds Ivan Mitov. For them, choreography is not just an education but a way of life and a path to self-expression. Both emphasize the inspiring presence of the lecturers and the power of collective creativity.
The concert 'The Rhythm of Time' is a celebration of the spirit, continuity and the living connection between tradition and modernity. The anniversary is also marked by significant institutional recognitions - among them the Varna 2025 Award in the category Higher Education and Humanities, awarded to the team of the Choreography major - Prof. Dr. Maria Kardzhieva, Prof. Dr. Katya Kairyakova and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivaylo Ivanov - for their outstanding contribution to educational, scientific and artistic and creative activities.
Among the most significant awards in the history of the Choreography major is the prestigious Golden Lyre Award of the Union of Bulgarian Music and Dance Artists, awarded to the Academic Dance Theater at the university for its overall contribution and achievements on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The Academic Dance Theater was also awarded honourary plaques by the National Representation of Student Councils and the Association for Professional and Advanced Training in Choreography in the Republic of Bulgaria - a testament to its inspiring presence on stage and contribution to training in the major.
Interview with Varna radio