23 Jan 2015
It was the beginning of 2015, and I was in Budapest for my third Brazilian Zouk event. Organized by Ronaldo, with Pedrinho Mattos and Linda Urgosova teaching, this event was special: it marked the start of what would become my Zouk mania.
At that point, Brazilian Zouk was still a relatively new dance to me since I only danced it 2 other times but watched hundreds of videos online, but I could feel its rhythm already sinking deep into my soul. I went there with just one friend from Timisoara, a West Coast Swing dancer, and although we had different dance backgrounds, we were both excited to experience Brazilian Zouk. The event itself was amazing; Pedrinho and Linda brought such energy, and I could already feel how this dance would change my life in the coming months.
Somehow, I felt what was about to happen: that this was the beginning of my Zouk journey. Over the next year, my love for Brazilian Zouk blossomed, and I started traveling more, attending many Zouk events with friends. After Budapest, I began going to events with a growing crew of Timisoara friends, all equally mesmerized by the infectious rhythms and connection that Zouk offered.
In that moment, surrounded by music, laughter, and new faces, I felt something click. I became determined to follow my dreams with this dance, to immerse myself in the community and go to as many festivals as possible. Zouk was no longer just a dance I loved...it was my passion, and I was ready to chase it wherever it would take me.
