Shira
Northern Folklore Region
Shira is a Bulgarian dance from the Northern folklore region of Bulgaria and has a time signature of 2/4. The Northern folklore region is the second largest folklore region in Bulgaria and is also probaly the most diverse. It stretches from Vratsa and Vidin in the West through Gabrovo and Veliko Tarnovo in the center of Bulgaria and all the way along to Razgrad and Ruse in the East. The music and dances of the Northern folklore region were significantly influenced by the migration of large numbers of Bulgarians from the Southern plains and other parts of Bulgaria to the more mountainous Northern Bulgaria regions. Many Bulgarians sought refuge in the higher and and more inaccessible higher lands when fleeing Turkish oppression prior to Bulgaria's liberation from Turkish rule in 1868. Therefore the population is mixed which naturally caused the musical styles to be mixed, varied and diverse as well. However, there are common Northern styles and traits that can be identified in the music and dance in this region. It is not rare to hear shouts accompany the colourful dances with the feet often moving very quickly. Some describe the dances as being springy and full of subtle movements and active hands. You often hear the bagpipe being played as well as the flute and fiddle alongside various other wind and string instruments.