WHAT IS IT?

Arab and Middle Eastern music and dance are art forms widespread around the world which take on many manifestations and styles, entrancing us from the first chord.
The RAKS MADRID festival has the aim of furthering our knowledge of these art forms by way of courses and other cultural activities which show us the more structured and rational side of these arts as well as shows and concerts to enthrall us emotionally.
RAKS MADRID aims to distinguish itself with its stylistic and interpretative richness, hence its guest artists hail from many different countries and cultures, as it is a unique occasion to delve into the fascinating universe of Arab and Middle Eastern music and dance.

THE MESSAGE

“You can only love and respect what you know”. Though its activities the Raks Madrid Festival defends values that are fundamental for the wellness of our society:
- The Richness of Cultural Difference
- The Equity of Opportunities
- Mutual Respect and Intercultural Dialogue

WHEN

From Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th of July 2012

WHERE

All the activities are concentrated in the heart of Madrid, in the lively area of the “Barrio de las Letras” and close to all the city’s major attractions.

THE PROMOTER

The Raks Madrid Festival is organized by Al-Andalus Raks Shaki Ltd. The company is an expert in the production and diffusion of Arab and Middle Eastern Culture through music and dance since 1998. The company is directed by the internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Nesma. Nesma is the founder and director of the Raks Madrid festival.

THE PUBLIC
The total attendance expected to the festival will be around 3.000 people. We expect 600 fans from all over Spain and Europe, mainly women, to participate actively to the workshops and the cultural activities.

OUR OBJECTIVES

• To open a high quality space for a form of artistic expression which, despite being practiced by many people in Spain and the western world, remains relatively unknown by the general public.
• To consolidate Madrid and Spain as a place open to cultural diversity and to promote the pursuit of intercultural dialogue and social cohesion through the exploration of art and culture.
• To offer enthusiasts and professionals alike the opportunity to enrich their knowledge and experience firsthand with the most representative Spanish and international artists in their areas of speciality.
• To create a meeting place for everyone’s enjoyment, open to all, having to do with the art and values which the festival promotes.
• To show the “other side” of the Middle East, as opposed to the worrying and desolating messages we often receive from this part of the world.
• To build a community with values regarding art and culture related to the Middle East.
• To create an annual exhibition which is an international byword for quality in its speciality.

ACTIVITIES

In order to obtain these objectives, the RAKS MADRID Festival will offer a great variety of activities for the general public as well as for enthusiasts and artists specialized in Arabic and Middle Eastern music and dance.

For 6 days, RAKS MADRID will be the European hub for immersion in Middle Eastern music, dance and culture. Dance performances, concerts, entertainment for all ages, over 100 hours of classes in music and dance from the introductory to professional level, conferences and colloquiums, exhibitions, gastronomy and a flea market will all form part of this friendly meeting place, rich in symbolism, for the diverse public’s enjoyment.
Prestigious artists and promising newcomers will participate in the festival, coming from Arab and Middle Eastern regions, as well as Spain and the western world. Their creativity will be revealed through a wide variety of offerings ranging from folklore and traditional culture to an avant-garde fusion of styles, presenting the public with a show of this art’s richness, sounding out the limitless potential of encounters between the different styles.

To know more about Al-Andalus Dance Center, visit www.alandalusdanza.com