Diplomatic missions

Africa

Asia

Australia and Oceania

Europe

North America

South America

50 stories - Anna Gertrude Travali (nee Crofts)

25 July 2022 Events and Discussions

Sofia

In love with Bulgarian folk dance

Born Sydney 1945. Left school aged 16, then worked in tourism. Travelled to Europe in 1967 and stayed 5 years. Three of them in Oslo, Norway. Returned to Queensland and travelled around for several years with my husband, ending up on Magnetic Island which is where he passed away. I relocated to Noosa and joined a folk dancing club and it was from there that my passion for Bulgarian folk dance was generated.

I first came to Bulgaria in 2001 for a folk dance workshop organised by Emil Genov, choreographer of the amateur stage group, ''Zornitsa.'' Held in Pamporovo in the Rhodope mountains, it was an amazing experience and during the ten days spent there I fell in love with the dances, music, people and the countryside.

I returned to Australia but in 2002 came back to Sofia and started dancing with ''Zornitsa'' and a circle dance group. I had already retired and having lost my husband two years earlier, this seemed the ideal time to start a new chapter in life. I kept extending my original 3 months visa and twenty years later I am still here! My involvement with the folklore scene is quite rich and I treasure the opportunities I've had to witness the unique traditions which still exist. The number of festivals held in different towns and villages throughout the country is impressive.   

Dancing with ''Zornitsa'' brought opportunities to travel not only around Bulgaria, where the younger dancers perform in concerts, but also abroad at international folklore festivals. Since living in Bulgaria I have been contributing articles to the Australian Folk Dance newsletter about these activities. I include not only dance news but also write about the different locations. In 2012 I was asked to be a guest on the Slavi Trifonov TV show. This was a big honour and apart from being interviewed, I was also requested to present a dance.  Another highlight was performing on stage at the National Palace of Culture with ex-dancers of ''Zornitsa,'' at the 35th anniversary concert.

Another aspect of my life is having in-depth conversations with Bulgarian friends to help them improve their English. This has not only provided a lot of laughs but I've also learnt a lot about the country and the culture. Bulgaria is a world apart from Australia and during the moments when there is a twinge of homesickness, I remind myself of the fact that I have more dancing opportunities here; and of the friendships I'd be leaving behind.

 

 

 

More photos

This site uses cookies. By accepting cookies you can optimise your browsing experience.

Accept Refuse More