Very interesting thread !!!
Well I have my personal opinion that comes from observation at 6 NileGroup Festivals that i've attented and there is a variaty of different styles.
Russia:
They just love love arabic style
But its transformed to something different.
Its more athletic in a way, maybe this have to do with the fact that most of the dancers was athlets years ago.
The approach to the music is with the arabic way, the song they use are arabic, and folk arabic (mostly egyptian), and they are the dancers i've seen dancing from Haggala, to Nubian, to Fellahin, to Khalegee, Baladi, Saidi etc.
Very hard working dancers, and beautiful women.
Japanese/Asian:
(from the ones i've seen)
More modern style of Cairo dancing, maybe because for many years they attent lessons with Raqia Hassan?
to be honnest there are very few dancers from Asia that I like, mainly because they are extremly slim and some movements in oriental dance require some "meat" lol. But I've seen 2 dancers from Japan (sorry dont remember the names) that was WOW !!!
Hungary:
I believe that its the country in Europe that have the BEST oriental dancers !!
There is a massive bellydance community, they are united!! they consider and treat oriental dance as an Art, they have theatre shows etc.
I've seen great old style arabic dance from them and i can count more than 10 EXCELLENT dancers in arabic style. Also tribal and american style is very good in Hungary
Scandinavian countries:
A lot of Reda style spreaded, Suzane and Mohamed Abousebika at Stockholm do a great job with their school and they have more than 300 students, and as a result all the place around is growing also.
I've seen great group job from Finland and Sweden.
Island:
It amaze me the passion in that small and cold country!!!
Great dancers and great job, from tribal to arabic style and dont forget Sabah the ballet-oriental star.
I'll continue later
