The color, the timelessness and the zest for life of Middle Eastern culture comes alive in the region’s traditional dance called “dabkeh.”
Diyar Dance Theater of Bethlehem, Palestine, will bring this lively dance form to life at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 5, 2012, at Dittman Center Dance Studio 1, St. Olaf College, Northfield.
This free, interactive performance comes with a hearty “thank you” to the Northfield area for their overwhelming support for the Palestine Gala Dinner held here last November. Families with children interested in dance are especially encouraged to attend.
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The event will begin with comments by Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church and president of Diyar Consortium, four ecumenical institutions in Bethlehem that promote the health, educational, cultural and spiritual development of the region’s people.
Diyar (Arabic for “house” or “homeland”) Dance Theater is a newly-formed dance troupe comprised of 40 talented female and male dancers of all ages. As well as traditional Middle Eastern dabkeh dance, the troupe uses modern theater and contemporary dance to present Bethlehem's rich history, values and heritage in dance form. The 55-minute production will illustrate Palestinian artists cooperating to find and celebrate freedom.
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Raheb, an internationally-acclaimed multi-lingual author and speaker, was recently awarded the German Media Prize for his peacemaking efforts in Israel-Palestine.
The event is co-sponsored by St. Olaf student group Oles for Justice in Palestine and by Northfielders for Justice in Palestine/Israel (NJP). NJP is an ecumenical group of community members who organize local events to educate and advocate for justice and peace in Palestine/Israel.
For more information about the event, contact Gordon Olson at 507-301-3130.
