Dance as a Point of Departure: Stories Behind Balkan Folk Dancing in the Pacific Northwest

Seattle has long been a hub for Balkan folk dancing, reflecting the nationwide boom of international folk dancing in the 1960s and 1970s. This fascination with Balkan music, dance, and colorful costumes shaped passionate communities and inspired the activities of folk ensembles. But what remains of these today? Who keeps the “Balkan” repertoire alive, and why does Seattle host the Pacific Coast’s largest Balkan music and dance festival, Balkan Night NW (since 2011) – with live music bands and thousands of participants? This presentation explores these questions through personal narratives and interviews, offering insights into the enduring appeal of Balkan folk music and dance in the US and considering the role of the diasporic communities of migrants from different countries in the Balkans. With vibrant visuals and firsthand stories, it sheds light on this cultural phenomenon’s past, present, and future.

Daniela Ivanova-Nyberg, PhD, is an ethnochoreologist, choreographer, and writer. Since 2013, she has been an artistic director and coordinator for the Glagolnitsata Society for Poetry and Literature at the Bulgarian Cultural and Heritage Center of Seattle. In addition, she presents lectures/workshops on Bulgarian dance at American universities’ dance departments and other institutions.

Daniela authored the book, The Folk Dance Ensemble as a Cultural Phenomenon in Bulgaria (2011). Since 2022, she has coordinated the Sub-Study Group on Dance and Diaspora within the ICTMD (International Council for Traditions of Music and Dance) Study Group on Ethnochoreology. Her academic publications are available at https://danielaivanovanyberg.academia.edu/