Liljano mome is a modern Bulgarian folk love song from the Pirin-Macedonia region popularized in the 1990s by the wife-husband duet Sevdalina and Valentin Spasovi (Севдалина и Валентин Спасови). As a Bulgarian/Macedonian song in 7/8 time (SQQ), several common dance patterns fit the music, including the Macedonian Bulgarian Širto and what North American folk dancers call “Lesnoto.” In recreational folk dancing, two common variants are found. The version taught by Yves Moreau, who learned it from Belčo Stanev from Varna, is nothing more than a Širto with a minor variation for the chorus. Petur Iliev introduced a much different version to USA in 1995. With its modern-choreographed footwork, although still simple, Iliev’s version is a marked contrast to the village-style Širto. There is a third version that seems to be a hybrid of the two aforementioned plus some extra Širto variations. I do not know who choreographed it; I have only seen it in YouTubes from Spain. Perhaps the origin is discussed in the teaching video in Spanish?
| Dance Name: | Liljano Mome |
| Original Script: | Лилјано моме |
| Pronunciation: | lee-LYAH-noh MOH-meh |
| Translation: | Liljana, girl (dear) |
| Aliases: | Ljiljano, Lilyano |
| Related To/See Also: | Širto, Lesnoto |
| Country of Origin: | Bulgaria |
| Region: | Pirin-Macedonia |
| Taught in USA by: | Yves Moreau; Petur Iliev |
| Year: | 1990s |
| Dance Type: | Circle/Chain/Line: Non-partner |
| Dance Category: | Village Traditional Modern RIFD |
| Folk Status: | Living/Historic Arranged Folklore |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Energy Intensity: | Moderate |
| Song: | Liljano mome (Лилјано моме) by Sevdalina i Valentin Spasov |
| Time Signature: | 7/8 |
| Pattern/Rhythm: | SQQ |
| Dancer Formation: | Open Circle |
| Hand Hold: | W-position |
| Leads to: | R w/ R |
| Date Taught: | 9/24/2024 |
| Teacher: | David |
| Published: | September 23, 2024 |
| Updated: | September 28, 2024 |
Best Music Recordings for Dancing
Dancing Examples: Yves Moreau/Belčo Stanev Version (traditional Širto variations)
Folk Dance Musings webpage • Stockton notes from Yves
Dancing Examples: Petur Iliev Version (modern folk dance)
Folk Dance Musings webpage • Notes by Dorothy Daw
You should be turning your body from slightly L of center to slightly R of center through the steps, according to Dorothy’s notes (approved by Iliev.) The Taiwan instructor does it as “slightly.” Henry does more of it as does the leader in Veselo Selo. In Part 2, they sometimes do an exaggerated L heel swivel on count 1 (that’s not in the notes, but someone in USA must have taught it that way.) Also, the leader in Veselo Selo does a double R kick in Part 2 instead of R behind L and swing quickly around to front.
“Hybrid Spaniard” Version of Liljano Mome
This version uses a simplified Part 1 of the Iliev choreography for the singing and Part 1 of the Moreau Širto plus two Širto variations for the instrumental. David’s suggestion: do Moreau Part 1 for Part 1 and use this Part 2 (for Part 2, w/ CCW turn) so as to keep with the Širto style for better flow and less confusion.
Part 1 (singing)
- Same as Iliev Part 1 except step L over R in Bar 1 as in Bar 2 (but you could, and should, also do it exactly as in Iliev’s version)
Part 2 (instrumental)
- Same as Moreau Bars 1-4: Širto in LOD 2X, reverse, cross R over L
- Bar 5: Širto fwd w/ R
- Bar 6: Širto bwd w/ L
- Bar 7: Širto cross R over L (Bar 4)
- Bar 8: Širto turn CW 360° + 90° to face LOD
- (The Pello Irurzun video shows Širto LOD in Bar 7 then turns CCW in Bar 8, which is probably more “natural” and less turning to get accomplished)
Dancing Examples: “Hybrid Spaniard” Version
More Music Examples of Liljano mome
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Lyrics for Liljano mome
Pesna.orgЛилјано моме, Лилјано,
ја стани рано, пред зори,
ја стани рано, пред зори,
либето си прегрни.
Не ми излегла Лилјана,
тук' е излегла мајка ѝ,
лути си клетви колнеше
и на Ѓорѓи думаше:
Иди си, Ѓорѓи, иди си,
Лилјана болна легнала,
Лилјана болна легнала
и не може да стане.
Не ми го лажи, мамо ма,
јас сум си Ѓорѓи љубила,
јас сум си Ѓорѓи љубила,
за него ќе се посвршам.Liljano mome, Liljano,
ja stani rano, pred zori,
ja stani rano, pred zori,
libeto si pregrni.
Ne mi izlegla Liljana,
tuk' e izlegla majka ì,
luti si kletvi kolneshe
i na Gjorgji dumashe:
Idi si, Gjorgji, idi si,
Liljana bolna legnala,
Liljana bolna legnala
i ne mozhe da stane.
Ne mi go lazhi, mamo ma,
jas sum si Gjorgji ljubila,
jas sum si Gjorgji ljubila,
za nego kje se posvrsham.Liljana, girl, Liljana,
get up early, before the dawn,
get up early, before the dawn,
give your love a hug.
Liljana doesn't come out,
instead, her mother comes,
she curses bitterly
and says to Gjorgji:
Go away, Gjorgji, go away,
Liljana is lying ill,
Liljana is lying ill
and she cannot even stand up.
Don't lie to him, mother,
I love Gjorgji,
I love Gjorgji
and I am going to marry him.