Belly Dance Forums - View Single Post - How relevant is Egypt to Modern Belly Dance

Tarik Sultan · 09-20-2006, 02:43 AM

How relavant is Egypt to Raks Sharki today? For people who are into fusion, Tribal and gothic, perhaps there is not so much a concern, however, for those of us who are practitioners of classical and contemporary Raks Sharki, keeping that connection is not only important, but essential.

It is true that the professional expression is currently in a state of decline today but that is a far different thing than saying its dead! There are still dancers who are striving there, not to mention extreemly gifted choreographers. Even if the performance venues were to close there, these people will still be traveling around the world sharing their culture with us.

My favorite is Rakia Hassan. Yes, her name is on everyone's lips and regardless of whether you love her or hate her, you think the Festival is a cash cow or cultural event, she is undeniably a creative dynamo. Just when I've thought I've seen every movement, done every combination, Rakia will pull something out of her hat that's totally amazing, yet so simple that you slap yourself for not thinking about it yourself.

During the Italian Renaissance there were a lot of artists, architects and scientists who received opposition from the Church and their work was often censored or surpressed, (some had their heart beats surpressed):eek: , however, could anyone deny the relavance of Italy to art, science and architecture during that time? same applies here. This dance is more than fancy costumes and wiggles. It is the product of a culture. Without keeping that connection, it will fade and become lost.

09-20-2006, 02:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
Tarik Sultan V.I.P. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jersey City, New Jersey Posts: 1,948	Egypt How relavant is Egypt to Raks Sharki today? For people who are into fusion, Tribal and gothic, perhaps there is not so much a concern, however, for those of us who are practitioners of classical and contemporary Raks Sharki, keeping that connection is not only important, but essential. It is true that the professional expression is currently in a state of decline today but that is a far different thing than saying its dead! There are still dancers who are striving there, not to mention extreemly gifted choreographers. Even if the performance venues were to close there, these people will still be traveling around the world sharing their culture with us. My favorite is Rakia Hassan. Yes, her name is on everyone's lips and regardless of whether you love her or hate her, you think the Festival is a cash cow or cultural event, she is undeniably a creative dynamo. Just when I've thought I've seen every movement, done every combination, Rakia will pull something out of her hat that's totally amazing, yet so simple that you slap yourself for not thinking about it yourself. During the Italian Renaissance there were a lot of artists, architects and scientists who received opposition from the Church and their work was often censored or surpressed, (some had their heart beats surpressed):eek: , however, could anyone deny the relavance of Italy to art, science and architecture during that time? same applies here. This dance is more than fancy costumes and wiggles. It is the product of a culture. Without keeping that connection, it will fade and become lost.