Pazardjiska Kopenitsa
Thracian Folklore Region
Pazardjiska Kopenitsa is a Bulgarian dance from the Thracian folklore region of Bulgaria and has a time signature of 11/16. The Thracian folkore, or ethnographic, region of Bulgaria is the largest of the six folklore regions that span Bulgaria. The Thracian region itself is also divided into four sub-regions and covers major Bulgarian cities like Plovdiv, Smolyan, Stara Zagora, Karzdhali and Haskovo. The region also stretches all the way out to the black sea coast city of Burgas which many people deem to be a separate ethnographic region in it's own right going by the name of Strandja. Other popular dances from the Thracian region are 'Paidyshko', 'The Three Times','Kopenitsa' and many others. Typical time signatures are 2/4, 5/8, 7/8 and 9/8. It is not uncommon in the songs to hear bagpipes, flutes and drums danced along to by dancers in rich, multicoulured traditional costumes. Clapping is often incorporated into Thracian dances and hands and arms are typically free but are used as expressions of strength and dignity.