ESTONIAN CHAMBER OF ORIENTAL DANCE

16th INTERNATIONAL ORIENTAL DANCE FESTIVAL IN TALLINN, 2024

Welcome to the 16th International Oriental Dance Festival in Tallinn on 1-3 November 2024!

The festival is supported by the Tallinn Culture and Sports Department.

Important Update: New Star Guest Teacher!


Due to unforeseen circumstances, our star guest teacher Hassaan Saber will unfortunately not be able to join us this year. 

However, we are thrilled to announce that we have secured another world-renowned guest teacher to join us for this special weekend. Please join us in welcoming MERCEDES NIETO, a celebrated dancer and master of Oriental dance!



Please reach out to us directly at info@orientaldance.ee if you wish to be refunded or to get your ticket replaced with a ticket to another workshop from the updated programme!

🔔 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR GROUP DISCOUNTS! 🔔


If you buy workshop tickets for 5 or more people, a 15% discount applies at checkout, if you buy 10 or more, a 25% discount applies! Get your group together and get your tickets with amazing prices!

🔔 SPECIAL OFFER! 🔔
Until 22 October all workshop tickets will be on sale with our summer discount prices !



PROGRAMME


Friday, 1 nov

Saturday, 2 nov

Sunday, 3 nov


10.00 - 12.00
Marta Kalva
MOWASHAHAT

12.00 - 14.00
Marta Kalva
ORIENTAL





12.30 - 14.30
Mercedes Nieto
SAIIDI-SHAABI

14.30 - 16.30
Mercedes Nieto
VEIL POETRY


14.30 - 15.00 open stage



15.00 - 17.00
Eeben
ARABIC-SALSA POP FUSION



17.00 - 17.30 open stage



18.15 - 18.45 open stage


18.00 - 20.30
COMPETITION

19.00 - 21.30
GALA SHOW



NB!
  • BAZAAR opens on 1 November at 5:00 p.m. and closes on 2 November at 8:30 p.m.
  • The workshops, competition and gala show on 2 November will take place on the first floor of the Kaja cultural centre 
  • 3 November workshops take place on the IV floor of the Kaja cultural centre

TEACHERS AND WORKSHOPS




Mercedes Nieto - a world class Oriental Dance muse!


Mercedes Nieto is an internationally renowned oriental dancer, instructor, and choreographer, known for founding the CAIRO! Fest Budapest in 2007 and leading the Nymph Oriental Dance Company since 2005. A master teacher at the Nile Group Festival in Cairo since 2010, she has taught and performed in over 40 countries. Mercedes has been a prominent figure in the oriental dance world, teaching at around 30 global events annually and producing Middle Eastern music for dancers since 2012. While focusing on her international career and festival organization, she continues to teach in Budapest, lead her dance company, and produce shows with her students.

MERCEDES NIETO'S WORKSHOPS:

Saiidi-shaabi - A fan favorite upbeat style with intricate technique and lots of character - a choreography that blends female saiidi style with elements of tahtib as well as adding the sparkle of shaabi.

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Veil poetry - Classical style choreography with silk veil to a lyrical song with a modern fusion touch.

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Marta Kalva - a multi award winner and a true dance grace!

Marta Kalva has been dancing oriental dance since 2007 and regularly improves her knowledge at workshops and individual classes. An award winner in many different international competitions such as “Cairo Festival Budapest,” “Jamila Festival” in Finland, “Etoiles d’Orient Festival” and “ODM” Festival in Spain. Her style differs with movement flowing and softness with a little ballet technique touch.

MARTA KALVA'S WORKSHOPS:

Oriental - We will learn combinations and technique in Marta’s style combined into a sensual and elegant oriental choreography to Ahlam Hayati music.

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Mowashahat - Elegant and tender mowashahat style choreography. Mowashahat as a dance form was invented by Mahmoud Reda in Egypt in the 70s and is inspired by the Andalusian poetry and special historical music rhythms. In the class Marta will work on arm softness, posture and graceful movement combinations, learning dance for performances at gala shows and competitions.

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Kairi Reinvee -

a force of nature with striking talent, charisma and power-hips!


Kairi Reinvee supervises Oriental dance groups all over Estonia. She has been an Oriental dance guest teacher in Hong Kong in the summer of 2016 and given workshops across Europe (Estonia, Finland, Lithuania, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Poland). In 2011/12 she toured Europe with the Amaya Dance Company giving concert performances in metropolitan theatres. Plenty of troupe experience and different projects have been provided to her by the Estonian professional dance group Zahira, with whom she started cooperating in 2008. She has also been teaching Estonian folk dances. In spring 2015, she graduated from the Tallinn University Institute of Arts specializing in choreography. Kairi is a member of the Estonian Chamber of Oriental Dance.

KAIRI REINVEE'S WORKSHOP:

Oriental show dance with props - in this workshop you will learn an Oriental show dance with props. This is a perfect opening or final number for your show! Choreography is meant for a group, but can also be made into a solo dance. Please take your candle tray/shamadan, isis wings, fan veils and veils with you.

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Eeben (Sandra Vokk) - feminine charm, scholarly thoroughness, and queenly presence!


Eeben is a dancer, choreographer and dance teacher who currently works in Estonia, but over the years has performed and taught also in many parts of Europe and the Middle East. In addition, she researches the history of Oriental dance, organises events and prepares educational materials about Oriental dance. She is one of the founding members of the Estonian Chamber of Oriental Dance and has taught Middle Eastern solo improvisation and Oriental dance studies at Tallinn University's Faculty of Choreography.

Eeben has said that for her belly dance is primarily a way of enjoying life and being present in the moment. She has always been fascinated by the naturalness and expressiveness of belly dance, the power of the belly dancer, the mystery and femininity, the ancient roots of the dance. Belly dancing has helped her discover and many times rediscover the goddess in herself.

EEBEN'S WORKSHOP:

Arabic-salsa pop fusion - in this workshop we will learn a fun and sassy choreography to a salsa-flavoured Arabic pop song, in Eeben's signature flirty feminine style. Dance shoes/heels are optional. Choreography music: Mohammed Assaf - Baddek Enayah (feat. Gente De Zona)

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The International Oriental Dance Festival in Estonia has taken place since 2003 and is the oldest and largest Oriental dance event in Estonia. The festival features dance workshops, a competition, a gala show, open stage performances and an Oriental Bazaar. The festival has also featured panel discussions, film screenings and fashion shows. The event brings together dancers from every corner of Estonia, as well as the neighbouring countries and further places around the world.