Festival · Nicosia, Cyprus
ALRAQS Festival
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Alraqs Festival is an international belly dance festival based in Nicosia, Cyprus, founded and directed by Cypriot Oriental dancer Alexia Nadirah. Launched in 2022, the festival was created to celebrate Oriental dance and Arabic culture while connecting the Cypriot belly dance community with international artists. Its programme typically includes master workshops, a gala show, competition, welcome party and dance bazaar, with both international guest teachers and established local artists participating as teachers, performers and judges. The festival places particular emphasis on artistic development, community, cultural appreciation and creating opportunities for dancers in Cyprus to learn from international professionals without having to travel abroad.
11-13 December 2026 · organized by Alexia Nadirah
Edition 2026
Teachers & performers
Line-up
The current edition includes workshops, gala show, competition, welcome party and bazaar. The 2026 master-teacher line-up includes Maris, Mary Vatyliotou and Alexia Nadirah, alongside additional judges and performers.
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Previous editions
2025 · 12-14 December 2025
Leandro Ferreyra from Argentina was the international guest master teacher, teaching Oriental Tango and Mejance. Anastasia Herodotou taught Street Shaabi, while Alexia Nadirah taught Balady choreography. The programme also included a Lebanese welcome dinner, competition, gala show and bazaar.
2024 · 13-15 December 2024
The festival continued to expand its international guest programme and competition/performance structure.
2023 · 8-10 December 2023
Continued the festival's workshop, performance and community-oriented format in Nicosia.
2022 · 9-11 December 2022
First edition of Alraqs Festival in Nicosia. The festival was launched by Alexia Nadirah as her own international Oriental dance event, with invited local and international artists.
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