THE WORLD IS A FUSION

Dance has been essential in human ways of interactions since way back and “Raqs” is the word for “dance” in Arabic, it resonates through many cultures in the MENA region.

In 2017 the initiative was born in Amsterdam with a mission to empower the contemporary Levantine (Ash-Shaam) arts and to gather a community who want to live with joy, to understand similarities, differences by means of interconnectedness.

We present live performances fused in club and festival culture, chants, rhythms from the MENA region and abroad, Tarab music and Andalusian classics – in ambient and electronic music styles.

Our intention is to spread the independent music scene of the levant region and its mergers, organising and facilitating encounters and collaborations, both physical and virtual, in which brainstorming and the exchange of musical experiences within an intellectual framework are central. We find pleasure in sharing musical and visual experiences for art appreciators – with the help of all your minds, souls and body dance.

Raqs initiative is supported by

STICHTING PERA

AMSTERDAM FONDS VOOR DE KUNST

ARAB FUND FOR ARTS AND CULTURE

PARADISO AMSTERDAM