The international Arab dance and music festival “Raks” is back

From July 3 to 6, Madrid will be hosting another edition of this event

In accordance with the slogan “you can only love and respect what you know,” the Madrid Raks Festival promotes knowledge about Arab dance and music as a way to discover and enjoy culture from the Arab world and Middle East, combining a great cultural tradition with its most contemporary expression. The program schedule includes courses and workshops intended for dance amateurs and professionals, given at the installations of the María de Ávila High Dance Conservatory of Madrid. Dance shows and concerts will also be held.

A festival with history
The first edition of the Madrid Raks Festival took place in the year 2005. The festival was a huge success, thanks to its pioneering, innovative nature. It was highlighted by professionalism and the excellent level of the guest artists, as well as the widespread participation of an audience of both domestic and foreign origin. At the first edition, the Festival paid homage to Egyptian dancer and choreographer Mahmoud Reda for his incalculable contribution to Egyptian dance. Three international companies performed their choreographies at a premiere show in the Teatro Gran Vía. “The performance of 18 of my choreographies by dancers from Spain, Finland, France, Italy and Switzerland was the greatest award I have received in 50 years. I don’t have the words to thank Nesma and all of the artists who took part in this wonderful show.” Mahmoud Reda.

The following editions of the festival were held in the town of Rivas Vaciamadrid and in the center of Madrid, where hundreds of fans and thousands of spectators gathered. The success of prior editions of Raks Madrid and its repercussion in the media were unprecedented for an event of this type, consolidating it as an international point of reference for dance lovers and an important cultural event on the summer calendar in Madrid.

Further information at the Raks Festival website

Poster and brochure from the Raks Festival