Egyptian Ministry of Culture?

[majda]

Hello all,

I had a random question about obtaining a license to dance in Cairo. I have no intention or want to dance professionally in Cairo, but I'm curious as to how one obtains a license to do so. Is there a written exam? Just an application? Does the ministry need to see you dance or your costuming? How long does the license last? I've tried to look them up online, but any link is an empty page or doesn't exist.

Just curious and look forward to many nights of watching dance in Cairo :) ~!!!

[astryd]

Hello...greetings from Cairo :-)
No, there is no written exam...nothing of the sort. It's a process of several permissions especially for foreigners, and they don't have you audition in front of them...no.... They will come to watch the dancer at some point early on to decide if she is decent, or if she is not. I use the terms loosely...this liscensing is a VERY difficult thing to describe and we have nothing like it in the states or Europe at all. There is little info about any of this through the government as dancing here is seen as something "haram" or indecent to begin with....it is not a respectable thing to do. There are definite guidelines, etc....but...the entire industry is quite shady.
....Enjoy your time here! When are you coming?
All my Best,

Astryd Farah deMichele
Astryd Farah deMichele ~ International Middle Eastern Dance Artist
BellydanceTours.com | Bellydance in Cairo, EGYPT...

[majda]

Hey Astryd!

I'll be in Cairo from August 15th to December 22nd with some trips to Amman and Dubai in between. Thanks for the info, I figured it was probably a shady process because I wasn't able to get a straight answer from anyone about it. :)

~Majda

[cbarros]

After watching Yasmina's "Journey of Desire" where she includes snippets of explanations from an Australian dancer (Caroleen??) currently working in Cairo . . . well, the whole process seems to be very convoluted . . time wasting, frustrating and something that would make a lesser person go screaming into the night!!! I knew a bit about having to get the permit and contracts . . . but I didn't realize how much you really need to do!! That was a real eye-opener. And when Leila talks about what she went through to be able to dance in Cairo . . . well, that sort of reinforces why many dancers might not want to do it without having lots of intestinal fortitude.

[outi]

It's not only very difficult process, but the rules changes all the time. even though the basic process and papers stays, the information and requirements for getting them changes. Now it's even more difficult than few years ago and then is was harder than few years previously.

[Lauren_]

*cough* baksheesh? *cough*

[outi]

Originally Posted by Lauren_

*cough* baksheesh? *cough*

It's not even that, although extra money helps. There is need for extra searching or paper or stamp or some other things - which ofcourse needs extra payment with receipt and everything.

[rakgirl]

I'll be there for 3 to 6 months staring in October. I hope to see you again Outi. I plan to only do one on one classes and tell no one that I dance.
Hopefully we'll meet Majda

[majda]

Hey RakGirl! I think I smell some sort of Bhuz meet up in Cairo this fall...:)

[LeylaAmir]

When I first performed in Egypt in 1981, I was required to get a liscense called a "mu stan na fate". To get this liscense I had to do a full audition in costume. They rate the dancer per costume, music interpretation, choice of music w/costume, looks,figure,etc. Your star rating was 1 to 5. You were able to dance in places according to your rating. I received a five star rating, which basically let me perform anywhere I wanted, but I was encouraged to perform in only 5 star establishments. After I got the rating I had to register with the police station (vice) in every sector of the city I would be dancing. My liscense had my picture on it and I was required to carry it with me to a performance. I was made aware on several occasions that there were vice agents that come to the performances to "check" that all is "up and up" in your dance, i.e. nothing lwed or suggestive that would lead to other "activities". It didn't take them long to realize I was just there to dance. Today's system is much different, I believe, and I can still dance on my liscense in Egypt when the occassion arises. I don't believe a liscense is required to dance in Sharm.
Leyla Amir, Las Vegas, Egypt tours, dancer, performer
Egypt National Tours