Hong Kong Cultural Centre Foyer｜Borderless Stage: Whirling Colours: The Art of El-Tanoura by Raed Abdelghany

Description

Rooted in Sufi tradition, el-Tanoura is an Egyptian folk dance performed mainly by men, with deep spiritual and ritual significance. Dancers whirl in long, vividly coloured skirts, with arms raised in a gesture of devotion that symbolises a spiritual connection with the divine. “Tanoura” is the Arabic word for the round skirts worn at parties, and each colour carries a symbolic message to God.

A native of Cairo, Raed Abdelghany was trained in classical ballet and folkloric dance, and graduated from Egypt’s National Folkloric Dance School, Kaumeya. He joined the National Folklore Dance Troupe of Egypt in 1997, became a solo master of el-Tanoura in 2000, and founded Ya Nawaem Troupe in 2010. He later served as Artistic Director of France’s ‘Bab Al Noujoum Festival‘ and established the Live Arabesque Company in Dubai. Since 2018, he has been a regular visiting artist at the Hong Kong International Egyptian Dance Festival.