Bulgarian dances

General characteristics

Bulgarian folk dances are normally line dances, with hands joined either in low "V" hold, belt hold (na pojas), crossed in front or "W" hold. Footwork can vary from fast intricate steps (as in the Šop Region) to slow sustained cat-like movements (as in some of the dances from the Pirin region). Dances from the north have some of the characteristics of dances from southern Romania, just across the Danube, i.e. fast crossing steps, dances from the Pirin Region in the West have much in common with dances from Yugoslav Macedonia, and dances from the Šop region round Sofia have similar characteristics to those from eastern Serbia. This illustrates how boundaries of dance styles do not necessarily conform with politically imposed nationally boundaries.
Regional dance styles

Dobruja

Dobrujans dance with their knees always bent and their backs hollow. They all seem to be of short stature and solid. To get the feel of Dobrujan dancing stand with your feet apart and bend your knees as far as you can comfortably with your feet flat on the floor, push your ribs forward while keeping your back straight and stay there throughout the dance!
The story told is that life is hard for the Dobrud_an farmer as he has to struggle with nature in order to survive, so his dancing, with strong downward movements, expresses his struggle with the land.
When a Dobrud_an dances he uses his whole body. Hands are joined crossed in front, in belt hold, in "W" hold or placed with back of hand on hips palms open and facing outwards. They are also used for strong, firm, positive arm movements. R_ka, which means hand, is one of the characteristic dances of this area.
Men and women dance together, though there are some dances for men or women only. Women's movements are simpler and lighter with slight shoulder twists.