This danced conference, produced with the support of ArTeC (University Paris 8-Saint Denis) and Art Jameel Dubai, has been organized to present the results of the research carried out in Abu Dhabi and Dubai about two of the traditional “dances” from the Emirates included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Catalogue (the “Al-Ayyala” in 2014 and “Al-Razfa” in 2015). If we put the word “dance” in quotation marks in this text, it is to point out the external nature of this term, because local practitioners of these cultural forms use terms such as “game” or “performance” when referring to them, reserving the word “dance” for foreign art forms mostly practiced by women in cabaret and other entertainment-related contexts. The aim of this dance conference is to provide an overview of the generally diverse landscape of choreographic forms in the UAE that have ended up extolling and privileging Ayyala as a symbol of national identity, becoming a permanent activity in official acts, cultural diplomacy events and national holidays, and often danced in outdoor spaces, gardens and monuments. Secondly, the conference offers a tour through the “ins and outs” of this dance to understand the richness of its movements, the complexity of the theatrics which it sets in motion and the learning that we can get out of this type of cultural expression as “Western” observers.

Fernando López Rodríguez is a dancer, philosopher and researcher of dance. With a PhD from the Université Paris 8-Saint Denis, he has been the director of his own choreographic project since 2009, combining contemporary artistic creation with academic research in the field of dance.

The danced conference will be held on November 16 at 7:00 p.m. inside of Casa Árabe’s Madrid Auditorium. To attend, you must sign up in advance (SOLD OUT). You can also watch it live on our YouTube and Facebook Live channels. The number who may attend is greatly reduced and mask use is required throughout the entire event. The decision to hold this activity in person will depend upon the health situation at the time. Thank you for your patience.

Simultaneous activities
Within the framework of our collaboration with FLIPAS International Festival of Speech, Action and Sound, Fernando López Rodríguez is giving the workshop “Men Looking for Men” at the Goethe Institut, in collaboration with KIF KIF. It examines choreophobia and masculinity on November 17, 18 and 19 (for further information and registration, write to: contact@lrparrafernando.com).

About FLIPAS: Laboratory of urban cultures is a project that emerged three years ago at the Naves del Matadero - Centro Internacional de Artes Vivas, with the support of the Goethe Institut and the Alliance Française. At this third edition, the project has continued in its same form in order to share practices of urban culture with young people, focusing on teaching methods and interdisciplinary meetings of professionals.

Related content:
Al-Ayyala  
Al-Razfa