Trakijska Râčenica Na Horo (L*) – Bulgaria

*a Living dance is a 1st Generation dance that is still performed in the country of origin (or immigrant communities) as part of a social event like a wedding where others can participate (not for an audience) by people who learned the dance informally (from friends and relatives by observation and imitation, not in a classroom situation). For more information, click here and here.

A fairly simple chain râčenica from the Thrace region called, appropriately Trakijska Râčenica, or “râčenica from Thrace”. Sometimes the words “na Horo” are added to indicate it’s a line dance. This example has a fairly long introduction. the dancing starts at the one minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mTK3cDkC_g

The dance pattern repeats every 8 measures, or every 8 QQS’s. I’ve found many dances online called Trakijska Râčenica that have similar footwork but employ 9, 10, 12, or 16 measure phrases.

Here’s a 12-bar, “stretched” version of our 8-bar Trakijska Râčenitsa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD4cGlpDWfwTube video Тракийска ръченица на хоро – Престиж гр.Сливен

MUSIC

I’ve chosen the music for this particular râčenica for several reasons.

1. It’s very Bulgarian

2. It’s got a fun song Stojne, Stojne. I’ve attached the lyrics below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMUW9cGf0ik

3. It’s a good example of music from Thrace

4. The râčenica rhythm of Q,Q,S, is easy to hear

5. It features the instruments used in a typical ensemble from Thrace, played in a style that’s typical of Bulgarian music in general.