On December 10, 2022, in Chicago, the 20th anniversary of the folklore dance ensemble “Horo” was celebrated with a two-hour solo jubilee concert-show under the motto “Let Evil Sink into the Ground and Goodness Reign.”
The remarkable event brought us together at the Copernicus Center to enjoy the incredible performances of the dancers from “Horo” and the Children’s Dance Group “Hortse,” along with special guests Neli Andreeva, soloist with the National Folklore Ensemble “Philip Kutev,” Yoana and Kalina Andreevi, and kaval player Angel Zhekov.
The artistic directors of the show were Irina and Todor Gochevi, and the event was hosted by Galina Petrova and Ivan Angelov.
The rich program of the concert featured creatively choreographed segments with Kukeri, Northern, Shopski, Thracian, Pirin, Rhodope, and other folk dances, Bulgarian folk songs, children’s games, and much more.
Here are the names of the people who contributed to this exceptional show:
Rehearsal Director – Tsvetana Staneva; Rehearsal Director for the Children’s Dance School – Reni Tsankova; Producer and Lighting – Paola Ignatova; Multimedia and Graphic Design – Ivan Mihov; Set Design – Kina Bagovska; Sound Engineering – Stanimir Florov; Music Editing – Krastyo Gochev; Script – Irina Gocheva and Ivan Angelov; Direction and Choreography – Irina Gocheva; Singers: Neli Andreeva and her daughters Yoana and Kalina Andreevi; Production – Irina and Todor Gochevi; Videos – Nikolina Kisyova.
The show also included texts by Ilya Velchev and Damyan Damyanov.
The hall was packed, and each captivating performance was met with heartfelt applause.
Mrs. Irina Gocheva was awarded the “Golden Badge” by the Executive Agency for Bulgarians Abroad and received a congratulatory address from the Mayor of Elk Grove Village. These honors were presented to her by the Bulgarian Consul General in Chicago. The “Horo” Ensemble also received a Certificate of Recognition from the Illinois State Senate, on behalf of the Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Laura Murphy.