Workshops
Kathak Dance Workshop

Led by Swarashri Shridhar

Discover the elegance and storytelling power of Kathak, a classical North Indian dance form rooted in rhythm, expression, and narrative. This workshop introduces participants to the foundations of Kathak, including intricate footwork, expressive gestures, and dynamic spins.

Through guided exploration, participants will learn how to translate stories into movement using both physical and facial expression. By the end of the session, each participant will create and perform their own short dance-story.

About the Artist
Swarashri Shridhar is a Kathak dancer trained under Guru Pali Chandra and an alumna of Gurukul Dubai. She is the youngest global distinction holder of the ISTD Advanced Vocational Course (UK). Her choreographic work often explores themes of mental health and social awareness, and she is also a TEDx speaker dedicated to empowering youth through dance and leadership.

Folk in Motion Workshop

Led by Rania Aizouky
This workshop explores Syrian folk dance as a living, evolving practice that bridges tradition and contemporary expression. Through rhythm, movement, and guided improvisation, participants will engage with cultural storytelling while connecting to shared human experiences.
The session encourages both personal expression and collective exploration, culminating in a choreographed sequence that blends traditional Syrian dance with contemporary movement.

About the Artist Rania Aizouky is a dancer and choreographer with over a decade of performance experience. A graduate of the Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts in Damascus and currently studying at the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy, her work blends classical technique with Syrian and Oriental traditions, often exploring themes of memory, identity, and belonging.

Dance Films
La Vie en Noir

Directed by Fatma Mohamed (ATAOTA)

A poetic short dance film that reflects the inner world of depression survivors. Moving between reality and dreamlike states, the film portrays the emotional cycles of darkness, escape, and return.

Presented at international festivals including Breaking Walls (Egypt) and Cinedanza (Italy), the film offers a sensitive and immersive exploration of mental health through movement.

AWEEL

Directed by Faiz Mustafa & Mohamad Fawzy

Set in the aftermath of war, AWEEL follows a survivor grappling with haunting memories and internal conflict. As voices—both real and imagined—grow louder, the film navigates themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for meaning in a fractured reality.

The film has been selected for the Breaking Walls Festival in Egypt.

Why We Fight

Directed by Alain Platel & Mirjam Devriendt

A powerful dance documentary that examines the roots of violence within individuals and society. Through the voices and bodies of performers, the film explores fear, frustration, and the human capacity for both destruction and creation.

Blending documentary storytelling with choreographic expression, Why We Fight offers a deeply reflective and layered cinematic experience.

About the Directors
Alain Platel is an internationally acclaimed Belgian theatre and dance director with over three decades of experience. Mirjam Devriendt is a visual artist and filmmaker known for her interdisciplinary work across photography, installation, and performance.

Live Performances
Kathak Performance – “Sanchari”

By Swarashri Shridhar

Sanchari is an evocative exploration of storytelling through Kathak. Combining traditional compositions with contemporary choreography, the performance journeys through themes of resilience, transformation, and emotional depth.

Compression

Directed by Feno Charafi
Co-choreographed with Yassin Zouine

Compression explores the human condition under pressure—both physical and emotional. The body becomes a site of tension, folding inward under invisible social and psychological forces.

Through controlled and contained movement, the performance reflects how identity and expression are shaped—and often restricted—by the demands of everyday life.