Information: A dance.

Translation: Dance from the village of Čekurjana

Pronunciation: cheh-koor-YAHN-kee-noh hoh-ROH

Source: Yves Moreau.

Region: Severnjaško, Northern Bulgaria

In 1970, while studying in Bulgaria, I did learn a dance called Čekurjankino horo (Chekurjankino horo). It was a choreographed (fairly difficult) version of a dance taught to me by Nasko Bârmašev of the Loveč Folk Ensemble. He said that the dance originated from the village of Brest, Pleven district. Nasko taught this choreography to the Severnjaški State Ensemble based in Pleven. It is in 7/8 (1-2,1-2,1-2-3) and includes a slow part followed by a fast part.

I recorded the tune first from Pleven accordionist Angel Čopov and then had the Emil Kolev Orchestra record it for me at Radio Sofia studios. It appeared on my album ("Red Album") Bulgarian< Folk Dances, Balkanton BHA 734. The tune was also re-recorded by the same orchestra on another of my productions (co-produced with Jaap Leegwater) "Ajde na horo." It's a neat tune. I know many fans of Bulgarian music have enjoyed playing it on accordion and other instruments (I even heard a classical guitar version of it . . .).

Čekurjankino or Čekurjankina has many differient variations in Pleven district. It is a "horo-râčenica" (râčenica done in a line). Boris Conev decribes one in his book "Bâlgarski Narodni Hora i Râčenici" (1950) p.238. I know Dennis Boxell also introduced a simple version of this dance in the mid-sixties (LP Folklore Dances of Bulgaria B-4000).

The written description of my version has appeared in several syllabi of folk dance camps and workshops.

–Yves Moreau