Aidarovo
Pirin Folklore Region
Aidarovo is a Bulgarian dance from the Pirin folklore region of Bulgaria and has a time signature of 9/8. The Pirin folklore region is perhaps the smallest folklore region in Bulgaria. It encompasses both the Pirin and Rila mountains and borders the Rhodope mountains to the East. The region borders Greece to the South and Macedonia to the North. The largest city in the Pirin region is Blagoevgrad with charming places like Melnik and Sandanski nearby. Folklore in Pirin is heavily influenced by Macedonia to such an extent that many people refer to this folkore region as the Macedonian folklore region. Again bagpipes feature regularly but also the drum and mandolin can often be heard too. Many dances tend to be a bit slower than in other regions with the dancers often in a straight line moving forwards and backwards with slow, steady steps. However, some of the dances traditionally danced by the men are faster, dynamic and springy - like the 'Staro Bansko' dance. Typcial time signatures are 2/4, 3/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 11/8 and 12/8. The traditional costumes appear quite extravagant and multicoloured adourned with gold coins, buckles and decorations.