Thread: Eilat Festival 2010?

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

orit told us it was BETTER to tell them all about the festival! and that did seem to help 'oh, another one, yes, you are not the first today for this festival, what is it"

it's more that in general young women on their own are suspect per se as they might have arab boyfriends who lie to them and the package for the family might not be what the girl thinks it is, or something like that... so young girl on her own as "tourist" is worse then "dancer attending festival"...

Thanks. That makes sense. And i've heard of tons of girls with Palestinian boyfriends who run over there to find out it's not what they thought. Those guys sure are cute so I see how a girl could be lead astray.

I would never go. I'm boycotting Israel!

hello Mark, that is how i felt about it too at first. and really struggled with. a holiday in israel, am i crazy? NO! Boycott Israel! i dont buy any food from there, but i'd go there for dance, well basically a holiday? crazeeeee!
i have pins that say that. i've been to the demo's. i have friends that been to rammallah and shown me the pictures. i've listened to the gruesome stories. It is how my family, especially dad felt when i told them i was contemplating this, it's the politics i have grown up with.

but i talked and thought and talked and discussed it with many many people and decided that i'm going to israel for a dance festival celebrating arabic culture and music, with several arabic dancers, vendors, present. ha, in the end even my dad felt i should go.

having been there, having talked to several palestinians AT the event, and with Orit, and several other Israeli dancers, i think my understanding of the complexity has grown, i realised that the "i hate israel" stance many of us lefties in the west take doesnt do the situation much good, it creates a closing down "everybody hates us and nobody understands us". What i learned most of all is how "arabic" israeli culture is: the food, the music, and even soo much of the religion. in a way, that makes it even more painfull. they are so close.

it was interesting to talk to broadminded, modern israeli, as well as watch the more orthodox ones and how everything is run (the food situation especially) to cater for their habits/beliefs. and how "the war"runs through all of that. it was a culture shock. it is to me a strange strange country.

in the end, i feel that to be part of a POSITIVE, mixed event, in eilat, playing arabic music 24/7, well, is more helpfull than all my "booh israel". the only solution to the current situation, if there every is going to be one, is for people to find a way to live together. i'm not sure i think that's possible, but here is a need for hope. what better than a dance festival. an israeli dancer on israeli tv dancing to ohm kalthoum. every bit helps.

and yes, there is still doubt about this, me going there. but honnestly, it's one of the best run events i've ever been too. and the whole security thing, no matter how much i moan about it, i'm also glad i've seen it. and understand just that little bit more about the situation overthere.

I have to say I am with Mark on this one. I don't have any issues with individual dancers of whatever nationality.However I find it difficut to keep politics out of my mind..even though that would be an ideal..in this case.

If it's the politics that's the problem then we shouuldn't go to the US or the UK either.

Originally Posted by rakgirl

If it's the politics that's the problem then we shouuldn't go to the US or the UK either.

I agree. I'm American and I certainly do not wish to be held accountable for everything American politicians do.

I understand prefering to spend money and time with Isrealis who agree with one's own political leanings, and supporting palistinian organization that are also in line with one's own thinking...but an "across the board ban" makes no sense to me. It doesn't help the Palistinians nor does it strenghten individual Israelis who disagree with the politics of their government.

I'd suspect that Israelis involved with the promotion of aspects of M.E. culture ARE the sorts of people that those of us who object to many of the actions of Israeli politicians SHOULD be befriending, talking with, getting to know.

Artemisia and Ozma have hit the nail right on the head as far as I am concerned. Realistically, it's not in the cards for me financially, but I would go if I could for precisely those reasons. This seems to me to be the kind of intercultural event we should be supporting if there's ever to be any progress -- the kind that puts a human face on the different sides of the conflict and celebrates aspects of life that are common to all cultures.

Originally Posted by Mark Balahadia

I would never go. I'm boycotting Israel!

As high technology equiptment (electric and biomedical) is one of the main exports of Israel, I'm wondering how extensively you research before you buy in order to maintain an active and informed boycott. I don't know about mac, but a lot of the R&D for Microsoft and Intel is based in Israel and the Intelchips come from there...but that's only a small portion of exports.

Is the festival something you could, and would, realistically go to if it were near (but not in) Israel?

Originally Posted by ozma

I don't know about mac

According to Mac website every new mac ships with Intel processor...

Originally Posted by sophie

According to Mac website every new mac ships with Intel processor...

Well then. Not adding to the Israeli economy would probably involve some serious luddite leanings.

I don't mean to downplay my own issues with the settlements and the treatment of Palistinians....but most of the consumer goods being boycotted in Europe and the UK are produce and fertilizers, is such a small percentage (3? 5?) of the export economy. People aren't forgoing the major items. And I think that attending a festival and giving your money to people actively involved with ME culture, and being carefull where else you spend it, is more actively helpful than a passive boycott of items you can easily buy imported from other places.

I respect and understand why people would choose not to travel to Israel. I have my own opinions and feelings on the situation, and have done some work in the US to attempt to have a say in my country's foreign policy choices. So far I have not felt like I had much of an impact. I do not plan on traveling to Israel, but never say never.

But (at risk of getting too off-topic) I cannot help but be reminded of something I have never seen brought up on the dance boards, and have thought about opening up. I have had some ethical dilemmas about traveling to Egypt. The Egyptian government is essentially a dictatorship (and another recipient of massive amounts of US foreign aid). The vast majority of Egyptian people are treated terribly, and put up with a challenging infrastructure, to say the least (for example, terrible roads, often with no stoplights, corrupt cops, unsafe buildings with multi-generational families living in them, seemingly unplanned mass urbanization, and laws that are sometimes applied arbitrarily). As a tourist in Egypt I have chosen to stay in locally owned hotels and eat at locally owned restaurants in order to keep my money with the people, not with international companies. I have had opportunities to stay with Egyptian friends and their families; I try to be a 'traveler' rather than a 'tourist'. But ultimately? I had to justify spending my hard earned money in a country where (at least) two friends here in San Francisco, who are from there, cannot go back to because they are gay, out, and fear persecution.

I respect when people make thoughtful choices about where they decide to spend their tourist dollars, and the politics behind them can be complex. I have made the decision to go to Egypt, several times now, to study dance and language and to be with friends and to celebrate and support people and a place and art forms I love. I plan to go back again.

I guess my (long-winded, thinking out loud, overly processed!) point is that sometimes there are no easy choices, and blanket statements can be problematic on international boards. I am glad to see the thoughtfulness of the replies, whatever our choices and politics are.

Yours for keeping it OTP*.

*of the people. :)

hey Monica,

thanks for posting those insights.

that's exactly how i feel about Dubai! (gay rights) and Iran (women's rights). i would find it really hard to travel to those countries because of that.

but as you say, those decisions are always complex.

Originally Posted by rakgirl

If it's the politics that's the problem then we shouuldn't go to the US or the UK either.

I don't go to the USA and sadly I am British and not French!

I am sure there will be enough dancers who can ignore the politics to counter those who think like Mark and myself. They like us are entitled to their opinion and conscience.

At the end of the day in most countries the regular people don't have much say on foreign or domestic policy. I think my international travel has been so beneficial to me and i'd hate to think that I would have missed out on those trips because of my disagreements with their governments.

But to each his own.

Originally Posted by lizajuk

I don't go to the USA and sadly I am British and not French!

I am sure there will be enough dancers who can ignore the politics to counter those who think like Mark and myself. They like us are entitled to their opinion and conscience.

It is insulting to imply that dancers who go to such an event are ignoring politics or lack your conscience. Perhaps some dancers are ignorant and don't think twice, but on this thread there have been people who have discussed why they went AND others who have discussed the issues involved with going to other countries, like Egypt, to point out that Israeli isn't the only country with issues we need to be aware of.

Artemisia wrote about how she DID think a great deal about the choice and wrestled with her ideas. She also wrote about having a deeper awareness of the politics of Israeli BECAUSE she went.

Sophie has behaved herself admirably in not taking the boycott talk as a personal affront, as she is Israeli.

Monica has brought up the issues of Egypt..and goodness knows I'm about to go to Turkey and I have issues with how they deal with dissenting voices, the romani people, and more.

And, yeah, I have been snotty in questioning the attitude of dancers who support the boycott but are probably not making difficult choices to do so. It's easy to say you won't go to something you probably wouldn't go to anyways, or to not buy produce you can easily get elsewhere. I am sorry. I should have stuck to supporting people who made complex choices instead of swiping at others.

I am glad you are politically aware, but don't presume that because other dancers have grappled with the issue and come to a different choice about what they would do, that they have done so because they ignored certain issues.

thank you Ozma

i'm inpatiently waiting for the website to be updated so we can find out more about this years shedule and all!!!

I just got back from a choreo workshop with Orit, one of 6 in the series. Wow! I'm all sore but happy, the choreo is so... Orit, very juicy and dynamic. Several workshop participants (myself included, yay!) will be performing those choreos at the Eilat festival. I can't wait!!! And... we were the first ones to see the flyers!!! The line-up is amazing! There are surprises for those of you who got Orit's sneak-peak email. The registration forms and the schedule will be uploaded to the website later on.
Off to take a nap, I'm so tired...

The flyer...

Pics from the workshop, off to practice the choreo!

Ooh, can't wait!!

Hey, Khalida! Congrats! (I mean the Congress competition)
Are you coming this winter? Would love to see you again!

I'm posting an email that I got from Orit re the festival with some details on the line up, the hotel and the competition.

The Eilat festival for belly dance is back!! Registration has started!!

The workshops, shows, bazaar, the Bedouin tent and haflas- back in Eilat for the 6th time!!

This year we will have our own belly dance magic village in the Club Hotel suites resort!

Our guest teachers are Aziza, Mayodi, Bozenka, Alexey Riboshapka, Amira Mor, Amalya Maya, Asi Haskal, Saleh Hibi, Sigal Ziv, Tina, Yael Moav, Nili , Orit Maftsir and more Israeli staff!! We will also host Mayyala from UK/India who will teach Indian dance as well as meditation, Yoga etc. in the Quite Zone.

The Festival's Discovery competition will start already on Thursday noon with a live orchestra!! There will be no pre- auditions this year, all you have to do is to sign up at Orit's mail oritmaf@013.net and you'll be directed what to prepare.

This big hotel offers not only huge halls but also many open spaces for extra fun classes!! All suites have a double bedroom, a large bathroom , a kitchen and a view terrace. The hotel is right across the north beach and the grand shopping mall of Eilat! Pools are heated and have a hot Jacuzzi in. It is half board hospitality and the hotel's food store and restaurants can supply a quick snack if needed. You'll have free coffee and tea at all times!

Registration is very simple- just fill the form and send it via e-mail to Iris at festivaleilat2010@gmail.com

We hope to see you with us this year- dace and have a great event together!!

Yours

Orit Maftsir and Yael Moav

I got the e-mail. Now i'm trying to figure out how I can go to Dina and Karim Nagi in Chicago in October and Norvember, Puerto Rico in December, and Rocky's weeklong in NY in January. How does this work? I guess I gotta get hustlin.

Hi Sophie!! Thank you!! And yes, am fully planning to come I'm selling a brand new gorgeous Bella right now in the swap meet to make sure I have enough funds for the flight haha Will be great to see you again girl!

Btw, Orit just told me about the lineup (omg!!), AND they now have a live band, an even nicer venue (the last one was already great, and they had yummy food to boot!) So how can I not go? ..l;,

I'll be dancing in one of the shows too!!

Originally Posted by Khalida

Hi Sophie!! Thank you!! And yes, am fully planning to come I'm selling a brand new gorgeous Bella right now in the swap meet to make sure I have enough funds for the flight haha Will be great to see you again girl!

Yay!!! Awesome! If you wish to fly in earlier or leave a bit later you are welcome to stay with us! Promise to take you to the best hummus place in the country, I swear I'm not kidding you :) and of course Jerusalem is only 15min away and Tel Aviv is about half an hour ride.

Originally Posted by Khalida

Btw, Orit just told me about the lineup (omg!!), AND they now have a live band, an even nicer venue (the last one was already great, and they had yummy food to boot!) So how can I not go? ..l;,

I'll be dancing in one of the shows too!!

Yes, I will be performing as well, group choreos and solo. I told Orit that they should let us compete again this year, we didn't have live band!!! No fair!

i started jumping up and down when i saw the line up. already knew about mayodi and aziza ofcourse, but now bozenka!!!!!!! she's one of my favourites!!!

and i'm performing too!!! yipiyaye.

i dont like competitions but live music is very very tempting.

where are you sophie. if i can take the time of work i'd totally be up for adding a few days?

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

where are you sophie. if i can take the time of work i'd totally be up for adding a few days?

We live in what they call the Jerusalem mountains area (hmm, they are like 700m, but it's considered mountains in Israel ..g.:)
The village is situated between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, closer to Jerusalem. Both of you are welcome, I can accommodate two people, even in two separate rooms, one of them is my private dance & yoga studio!!! It's tiny but full of dance related stuff. I would gladly show you around Jerusalem and we could go out to Tel Aviv if there is enough time.

congratulations on your home studio!!!!!! i'm working on mine too!

we'll keep in touch!