Busting Bulgarian Moves

When Bulgarians think of spring, “a fat lady with very red cheeks” comes to mind. At least, according to Sonia K. Todorova ’07 of the Harvard Bulgarian Club. “She’s moody like March,” Todorova explains, “moody like Boston.”

Last Friday, Bulgarians and their friends came together in Boylston Hall for an Harvard-style Sedianka. It was your typical college party but with less booze and more traditional meat dishes from the old country. Harvard and MIT students alike exchanged handmade yarn dolls and traded in their English names for questionable Bulgarian renditions.

But the cultural shindig didn’t really get going until the Bulgarians hit the dance floor. Kaloyan S. Slavov ’07 led a line of experienced Bulgarians and painfully clueless amateurs to the center of the room. In a form somewhat reminiscent of Riverdance, Slavov and his sweaty troupe broke it down Bulgarian style, snaking through Ticknor Lounge.

“I didn’t know how to dance a single Bulgarian dance,” says Slavov of when he first arrived in Cambridge. He explains that he learned his sweet moves at Harvard, and then dropped it like it was hot back home. “I taught my friends in Bulgaria,” he says. Apparently, Harvard is where Bulgaria’s at.

The contagious rhythms of the traditional Bulgarian music even caught the attention of a few bystanders. A curious group of Asian girls eagerly attempted to mimic the frenzied dance leader. Stanisa “Stan” Veljkovik ’07 watched with a critical eye, remaining wary of their authenticity. “They’re obviously not Bulgarian.”